Navigating chest pain online: who uses health information and what actions follow?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Online health information websites, like Thuisarts.nl, guide patients with chest pain toward appropriate care and support sustainable healthcare use. OBJECTIVES: This study explores the demographics, symptoms, actions, and decision-making of individuals using Thuisarts.nl for chest pain. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire was carried out (February 2022–October 2023) via pop-ups on two Thuisarts.nl pages about chest pain. Adults seeking chest pain information for themselves were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Responses were categorized based on whether participants sought immediate care or waited to contact a healthcare provider. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and logistic regression examined the association between cardiac-like symptoms and immediate care-seeking, adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidity. RESULTS: Of the 791 participants who started the questionnaire (response rate 10%), 66% were female, with a mean age of 52 years. Most participants (78%) reported non-anginal pain, while 5% described symptoms resembling typical angina. Participants with cardiac-like symptoms were more likely to seek immediate care than those with non-cardiac pain (OR 4.67, 95% CI 1.33–16.42, p = 0.016). Overall, 83% of participants found the information helpful; of these, 14% sought immediate care, while 86% waited before contacting a healthcare provider. CONCLUSION: Thuisarts.nl for chest pain is primarily used by a low-risk group and is helpful to most visitors. While many wait to contact a healthcare provider after reading the website, those with cardiac-like symptoms tend to seek immediate care. These findings highlight the importance of providing clear, accessible information in supporting sustainable chest pain management.