Table 1.
Summary of themes from the online health forum study. Some posts fell into multiple themes, so percentages add up to more than 100% (out of 400 posts).
| Theme | % (n) | Theme | % (n) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpretation of report content (S1a) | Diagnosis and illness experience (S1d) | ||
| Certain sections (mostly Impressions and Findings) of the report content | 15.75 (63) | Seeking help understanding current illness experience | 15.25 (61) |
| Specific phrase or sentence in the report | 4.75 (19) | Concerned about the prognosis | 11.00 (44) |
| Image of a scanned body region | 4.75 (19) | Hypothesizing about the relationships among test results, diagnosis, and treatment | 4.50 (18) |
| Specific medical term in the report | 2.25 (9) | Seeking confirmation of doctor’s opinion or diagnosis | 3.00 (12) |
| Quantitative measurement of a questionable mass or body part | 1.75 (7) | Concerned about misdiagnosis by the doctor(s) | 2.75 (11) |
| Specific type of test (S1b) | Healthcare process (S1c) | ||
| Concerned about the risks associated with a test | 7.75 (31) | Concerned about what they should be doing or asking next | 8.75 (35) |
| Inquiring about the diagnostic abilities of a specific test | 6.50 (26) | Seeking help in making decisions about their healthcare options | 6.25 (25) |
| Seeking confirmation about the accuracy of a test | 4.25 (17) | Confused or expressing a need to understand the healthcare process | 5.25 (21) |
| Looking for comparison among tests | 4.00 (16) | Expressing lack of satisfaction with their healthcare | 4.25 (17) |
| Seeking test recommendations generally or for a condition | 3.25 (13) | Concerned about what will happen next in care | 3.75 (15) |
| Concerned about the need for the test | 2.75 (11) | Expressing lack of explanation from their doctor about healthcare options | 1.75 (7) |
| Concerned about the cost of treatment | 1.00 (4) | ||