Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41291429›Full record

ArticleBMC primary care2025

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

Eva D van Dijkman, Ysette K de Boer, Ellen L de Hollander, Mattijs E Numans, Hans-Marc J Siebelink, Tobias N Bonten

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC primary care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Eva D van DijkmanDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Postzone V0-P, Postbus 9600 , Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands. e.d.van_dijkman@lumc.nl.ORCID 0000-0002-6244-6548
Ysette K de BoerDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Postzone V0-P, Postbus 9600 , Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-2613-208X
Ellen L de HollanderDepartment of Research and Development, Cluster Thuisarts, Dutch College of General Practitioners, Utrecht, 3528 BL, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-8342-2468
Mattijs E NumansDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Postzone V0-P, Postbus 9600 , Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-0368-5426
Hans-Marc J SiebelinkDepartment of Cardiology B4-17, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands.
Tobias N BontenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Postzone V0-P, Postbus 9600 , Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-7719-6182

Funding

ZonMw 05160062010001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOnline health information websites, like Thuisarts.nl, guide patients with chest pain toward appropriate care and support sustainable healthcare use.

objectivesThis study explores the demographics, symptoms, actions, and decision-making of individuals using Thuisarts.nl for chest pain.

methodsA 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.

resultsOf 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.

conclusionThuisarts.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.

Indexed as

Chest PainConsumer Health InformationInternetPatient Acceptance of Health CareAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesDigital MediaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesChest PainHealth BehaviourInternet

Identifiers

PMID41291429
PMCPMC12764119

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.