"I would much rather hear the truth so I can be prepared": Virtual peer support, health access, and information-seeking after hysteroscopy referral.

BackgroundDeficiencies in patient information undermine informed consent and patient safety in gynaecological care. When clinical communication fails, women turn to digital peer communities, directly affecting health access and decision-making. Hysteroscopy procedures are at heightened risk of this failure: pre-procedural information is routinely unstandardised, and anxiety affects up to 80% of patients, impairing attendance and completion.ObjectivesThis study investigated women's information needs following hysteroscopy referral, using naturally occurring online data to identify behavioural targets to improve care and patient safety.DesignA framework analysis of naturalistic online forum data.MethodsData were purposively sampled from threads containing "hysteroscopy" in the title, posted on Mumsnet.com. A total of 5,671 posts were extracted from 343 discussion threads and analysed inductively using Framework Analysis. Themes were mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework, with key behaviour change techniques identified using the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy.ResultsWomen were unable to access clear, foundational information about hysteroscopy. Given this deficit, four critical domains of basic information need were identified: 1) navigating procedural processes, 2) anticipated pain trajectories, 3) managing the recovery phase, and 4) diagnostic outcomes and aftercare. Repeated information-seeking queries suggest an 'information neglect continuum': virtual peer support fulfils a compensatory role where formal communication was perceived as insufficient. Behavioural mapping identified actionable intervention points to strengthen patient instruction, repositioning informational integrity as a core component of clinical quality, not an adjunct to it.ConclusionsRoutine hysteroscopy communication fails to provide the structured guidance women need to consent to and recover from the procedure. Self-initiated information-seeking within a virtual support network revealed deficits not captured by conventional service evaluation. This study establishes how digital social support mitigates clinical information failures and confirms which information components patients prioritise. These represent priority intervention targets with direct implications for informed consent, procedural attendance and patient safety.