Classifying health questions asked by the public using the ICPC-2 classification and a taxonomy of generic clinical questions: an empirical exploration of the feasibility.

In case of an overload of information, structure is needed to make the content of the information accessible and the information flow well-ordered. If we wish to gain insight into the health information needs of the public, a specific research tool is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using two professional classification structures for medical information to classify health questions asked by the public: one classification for the subject of the question, the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2), and one classification for the nature and type of the question, the Taxonomy for Generic Clinical Questions (TGCQ). Health questions asked during online consultations with health care providers were retrieved (452 subjects for coding) and were given two codes: one code according to the ICPC-2 and one according to the TGCQ. The problems encountered during coding were recorded and analyzed. Nine different clusters of problems arose during classification with the ICPC-2, including issues regarding specificity, lay versus professional terminology, a combination of diverse complaints not complying with a clinical syndrome, and preclinical issues. Nine types of problems were encountered during the classification with the TGCQ: questions about preclinical issues, preventive procedures, name finding, health promotion, where to go for a diagnostic test or therapy, justification of the choice of a test or treatment, and common knowledge. The results of this study are promising, and further investigation of the validity, reliability, and use of these two classification systems to classify health questions asked by the public is desirable. The problems that were encountered should be solved before these professional systems can be used to classify the health information needs of the general public.