Authors: Glenn A. Gonzalez, Ellina Hattar, Teleale Fikru, Shreya Vinjamuri, Lindsay D. Orosz, Brandon J. Allen, Daniela A. Perez-Chadid, Rita Roy, Michael Vo, James S. Harrop.
Introduction: The prevalence of neck pain and cervical spine pathologies is skyrocketing, fueled by an aging population and younger generations affected by poor posture while using handheld devices. Many patients turn to the internet for medical information, but studies have shown that the available sources are often difficult for the general public to understand, resulting in knowledge gaps. Amidst this confusion, the specific cervical spine topics that captivate the public's attention remain unidentified.
Objective: Identify the specific cervical spine topics that are of greatest interest to the general public.
Methods: The National Spine Health Foundation (NSHF) conducted a survey using a questionnaire to determine the public's objectives for understanding the cervical spine. The survey consisted of six questions and was distributed electronically from August 31st, 2022, to September 16th, 2022. The survey link was made accessible on NSHF's website, social media platforms, and electronic newsletter. Proportions were utilized to analyze the survey results.
Results: The survey of 5,448 participants revealed that the majority were interested in learning about neck disorders, symptoms, and anatomy (36.5%, 27.2%, and 17%, respectively). Neck movement and anatomy were also of significant interest (38.1% and 24.5%, respectively). Respondents were most interested in learning about cervical myelopathy/ cervical spinal stenosis and disc herniation/pinched nerves (27.9% and 27.7%, respectively), followed by other conditions. Most participants wanted to learn about neck pain, radiating arm pain/weakness/numbness, stiffness/ poor range of motion, poor balance/hand coordination, and headaches. Massage/acupuncture was the most soughtafter treatment option (28.2%), followed by other options. Respondents were interested in hybrid surgery (34.5%), followed by other surgical procedures.
Conclusion: The survey results unveiled a significant interest in diverse topics concerning the cervical spine, underscoring the necessity for accessible and comprehensible information. This emphasizes the importance of offering the public high-quality resources. Future studies should undertake an investigation into the effectiveness of educational initiatives in enhancing the public's understanding of cervical spine issues.
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