The Internet as an Educational Tool for Breast Augmentation

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Gladfelter
Author(s):  
Paolo Montemurro ◽  
Vincent K S Tay ◽  
Per Hedén

Abstract Background The influence of the internet and social media (SoMe) in the decision-making of patients is recognized. Plastic surgeons are aware of this trend but are entangled between ethics, professionalism, and business acumen. Objectives In this study, the authors presented the evolution of perspectives of patients and surgeons recruited through a private clinic over 5 years. Methods A questionnaire was administered to patients consulting for primary breast augmentation in 2014, 2017, and 2019. Plastic surgeons who worked at or visited the Akademikliniken in 2014, 2017, and 2019 completed a separate questionnaire. Results In total, 1646 patient responses were collected. Patients who started their information gathering with the internet increased from 68.0% to 72.9%, and 94.1% of patients looked for information about aesthetic surgery on the internet before their consultation. Patients who read about aesthetic surgery on SoMe increased 29.1%. Of 462 surgeons recruited, 62% opined that the majority of patients had gathered information online before consultation. Fewer surgeons in 2019 thought that the internet and SoMe led to better information (down from 61.7% to 35.2%). An increase from 38.3% to 65.3% of surgeons attributed it to unrealistic expectations. However, only 9.7% of surgeons would support removal of plastic surgery material from SoMe compared with 21.9% in 2014. Conclusions The increased utilization and influence of the internet and SoMe on patients and surgeons is rapid. Aesthetic plastic surgeons must equip themselves to cope with the risks and capitalize on the opportunity for patient engagement and public education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Correa ◽  
Elana Shohamy

Abstract Cosmetic surgery has become a widespread phenomenon in the last decades, especially in Colombia where a large number of women undergo it every year. This surgical boom is reflected in several Linguistic Landscape resources including the internet, where a growing number of cosmetic surgery centers advertise their procedures. Particularly common among these procedures is breast augmentation, which many Colombian women have at a young age. This article reports on a study which drew on critical linguistic landscape and feminist theories to explore how local cosmetic surgery websites contribute to the commodification of women’s breasts, and its implications for users of these websites. Data collected for this study included text and images from 12 local websites advertising cosmetic surgery in Colombia, including breast augmentation. Data analysis showed that these websites contributed to the commodification of women’s bodies by using a series of ideological mechanisms. Implications for users of these public spaces include asking critical questions about these websites and becoming more socially active in their consumption.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 158-164
Author(s):  
Dawn Sagrillo ◽  
Sue Kunz

1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 21-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Mayfield ◽  
Kamal S. Ali

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Chinna Natesan ◽  
Karen H. Smith

Author(s):  
Chris Davies ◽  
Rebecca Eynon

This chapter investigates the role of the Internet in reshaping learning and education. It describes distinctions between formal education, where the Internet has made few inroads, and informal learning, where it seems to have excelled. Moreover, the chapter explores how the Internet has – via the World Wide Web – enabled an expansion in informal and incidental learning opportunities. Online courses are dealt through learning management systems, or virtual learning environments. The Internet's contribution to formal learning has been considerably less transformative than its contribution to informal learning. The Internet is not primarily an educational tool, but it self-evidently offers unique and unparalleled scope for the exploration of new forms of exploration and collaboration in the development and sharing of knowledge.


2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-181
Author(s):  
Danielle DeLuca-Pytell ◽  
Kathryn Spanknebel ◽  
Michael Rosenberg ◽  
Jane Petro ◽  
Philip Bonanno

Introduction: To evaluate the utility of a Web-based educational tool for women who have had or who are considering breast augmentation. Materials and Methods: A definitive Web-based resource, http://www.breastimplantcare.com , was developed for use by patients and physicians, which summarizes, in lay terminology, contemporary, evidence-based information for decision-making and long-term follow-up regarding breast augmentation. Urchin Web analytics v.5.7.03 data and Google Analytics for Web site traffic reporting were analyzed. Results: Over a 1-year period, the Web site received over 12 800 hits. Within 6 months, there were 2548 unique visitors. The number of daily visitors has ranged from 12 to 71. The average visitor looks at 5 to 6 pages of the site. Monitoring Your Implants is the most popular page viewed. Patients have contacted this site from a wide geographic area looking for immediate postoperative advice and for help with long-term problems. Those with immediate postoperative questions are referred back to their treating physician. Though over 70 visitors have visited the pages with downloadable forms to be a part of a prospective study funded by the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation (CSF), only 5 new patients have joined the study. Discussion: This Web-based educational tool for women who have had or are considering breast augmentation has demonstrated utility in providing information and helping educate women who are considering or who have had breast augmentation. The site is less effective as a recruiting tool for the grant study, but from a Web marketing standpoint, it is a good return on investment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document