Table 1.

Different assumptions underlying the use of the terms ‘online’, ‘patient’, and ‘feedback’.

What counts as ‘online’?	What counts as ‘patient’?	What counts as ‘feedback’?
As a synonym for digital	Patient currently undergoing treatment	Comments
Point of feedback entry is ‘online’	Patient who recently had treatment	Complaints
Point of feedback analysis is ‘online’	Anyone who’s ever had treatment	Gratitude/praise/thanks
Communication of feedback is ‘online’	Carer of patient	Recommendations for action
Connected to the web	Parent of patient	Narrative accounts of experience
Publicly available on the web	Family/friends of patient	Numerical ratings of experience
All of the above	All of the above	All of the above
None of the above	None of the above	None of the above
Other	Other	Other