Table 4 Question type categories in CHQA-email with their definitions and some commonly used triggers

General question types

comparison

Concerned with comparison of several entities (often of the same type)

comparison, differences

information

General information about an entity

information, types

✓

other_question

Information not covered with other types

prepare, cover

✓

Problem question types

cause

Cause of a disease

cause, trigger

✓

complication*

Longer term effects of a disease

risk, damage

✓

diagnosis

Methods of diagnosing a disease

diagnose, detection

✓

effect*

Unspecific effects of a disease

affect, link, related

✓(a)

frequency

Prevalence of a disease

statistics, prevalence

✓(b)

inheritance

Inheritance patterns of a disease

passed, genetic

✓(b)

lifestyle_diet*

Lifestyle/diet changes after a disease

okay, precautions

location*

Body location of a disease

areas, occur

✓(c)

person_organization*

Individuals/organizations specializing in a disease

find, consult

✓(d)

prevention

Methods of prevention for a disease

prevent, save from

✓(e)

prognosis*

Life expectancy and quality of life for a disease

recovery, how long

✓

support_group*

Support groups for a disease

support groups, recommend

✓(d)

susceptibility

Transmission of a disease

transmitted, spread

✓

symptom

Signs and symptoms of a disease

symptom, normal

✓(f)

treatment

Treatment, cure, management of a disease

cure, help, improve

✓(e)

Intervention question types

action

How a drug acts in the body

start working

alternative

Alternatives for an intervention

alternative, replacement

contraindication

Conditions in which an intervention should be avoided

take if, hurt

cost

Pricing of an intervention

cost, rate

dosage

Appropriate dosage of a drug

dosage, administration

indication

Conditions to use an intervention

for, given to

ingredient

Ingredients of a drug

in, made from

interaction

Interactions between drugs

reaction, safe to take

long_term_effect

Long term consequences of an intervention

cause, long term effect

overdose

Consequences of a substance overdose

do, hurt

side_effect

Short-term, adverse reactions to an intervention

side effect, poisonous

storage_disposal

Instructions for storing/disposing a drug

expire, stability

tapering

Instructions for how to stop using a drug

weaning, withdrawal

usage

Patient instructions for an intervention

applying, take

drug_question

Other intervention question (e.g., drug form)

come in, potent