Do Patients Access Appropriate Information Online?

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (04) ◽  
pp. 428-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amar Gupta ◽  
Dennis Bojrab ◽  
Adam Folbe ◽  
Michael Carron ◽  
Michael Nissan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Professional Organization ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
High Quality Information ◽  
Survey Instruments ◽  
Academic Group

AbstractHealth care providers should be aware of information available on the Internet to ensure proper patient care. The current analysis assesses the reliability, quality, and readability of internet information describing rhytidectomy. Previously validated survey instruments to assess the reliability, quality, and readability of online websites describing rhytidectomy were used. An internet search using Google with the search term “facelift” was conducted. The first 50 search results were reviewed, and 36 were deemed appropriate to be included in this analysis. Websites were divided based on type of authorship into professional organization, academic, physician based, and unidentified. The validated DISCERN instrument was used to determine reliability, quality, and overall rating of each site. The Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) were used to measure readability. A 1 to 3 point scale was used to rate websites, with a higher number indicating a website that possessed either greater reliability or greater quality. Mean scores for reliability ranged from 1.7 (±0.99) in the academic group to 2.0 (±0.12) in the unidentified group. Mean scores for quality ranged from 1.5 (±0.13) in the unidentified group to 1.7 (±0.38) in the physician-based group. The highest overall rating was 1.4 (±0.22 and ± 0.31, respectively) in the unidentified and physician-based groups. The lowest overall rating was 1 (±0.58) in the academic group. FRESs ranged from 21.6 to 74.6. FKGLs ranged from 6.9 to 13.9. Information available online regarding rhytidectomy may be significantly deficient in reliability, quality, and readability. These deficiencies are present in articles with all types of author affiliations. This underscores the clinicians' duty to provide patients with high-quality information at an adequate level of comprehension.

scholarly journals Quality evaluation of the available Internet information regarding pain during orthodontic treatment

2012 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 500-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christos Livas ◽  
Konstantina Delli ◽  
Yijin Ren
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Orthodontic Pain ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Web

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the quality of the data disseminated via the Internet regarding pain experienced by orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods: A systematic online search was performed for ‘orthodontic pain’ and ‘braces pain’ separately using five search engines. The first 25 results from each search term–engine combination were pooled for analysis. After excluding advertising sites, discussion groups, video feeds, and links to scientific articles, 25 Web pages were evaluated in terms of accuracy, readability, accessibility, usability, and reliability using recommended research methodology; reference textbook material, the Flesch Reading Ease Score; and the LIDA instrument. Author and information details were also recorded. Results: Overall, the results indicated a variable quality of the available informational material. Although the readability of the Web sites was generally acceptable, the individual LIDA categories were rated of medium or low quality, with average scores ranging from 16.9% to 86.2%. The orthodontic relevance of the Web sites was not accompanied by the highest assessment results, and vice versa. Conclusions: The quality of the orthodontic pain information cited by Web sources appears to be highly variable. Further structural development of health information technology along with public referral to reliable sources by specialists are recommended.

Quality of Internet information related to the Mediterranean diet

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 885-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reiko Hirasawa ◽  
Kazumi Saito ◽  
Yoko Yachi ◽  
Yoko Ibe ◽  
Satoru Kodama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
English Language ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate the quality of Internet information on the Mediterranean diet and to determine the relationship between the quality of information and the website source.DesignWebsite sources were categorized as institutional, pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical commercial, charitable, support and alternative medicine. Content quality was evaluated using the DISCERN rating instrument, the Health On the Net Foundation's (HON) code principles, andJournal of the American Medical Association(JAMA) benchmarks. Readability was graded by the Flesch Reading Ease score and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level score.SettingThe phrase ‘Mediterranean diet’ was entered as a search term into the six most commonly used English-language search engines.SubjectsThe first thirty websites forthcoming by each engine were examined.ResultsOf the 180 websites identified, thirty-two met our inclusion criteria. Distribution of the website sources was: institutional,n8 (25 %); non-pharmaceutical commercial,n12 (38 %); and support,n12 (38 %). As evaluated by the DISCERN, thirty-one of the thirty-two websites were rated as fair to very poor. Non-pharmaceutical commercial sites scored significantly lower than institutional and support sites (P= 0·002). The mean Flesch Reading Ease score and mean Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level were 55·9 (fairly difficult) and 7·2, respectively. The Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level score determines the difficulty of material by measuring the length of words and sentences and converting the results into a grade level ranging from 0 to 12 (US grade level).ConclusionsDue to the poor quality of website information on the Mediterranean diet, patients or consumers who are interested in the Mediterranean diet should get advice from physicians or dietitians.

DOZ047.115: Quality and readability of esophageal atresia information on the Internet

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B R O’Connor ◽  
E Doherty ◽  
F Friedmacher ◽  
L Vernon ◽  
T S Paran
Keyword(s):  
Esophageal Atresia ◽  
Oesophageal Atresia ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Google Search

Abstract Introduction Increasingly in pediatric surgical practice, patients, their parents, and surgeons alike use the Internet as an easily and quickly accessible source of information about conditions and their treatment. The quality and reliability of this information may often be unregulated. We aim to objectively assess the online information available relating to esophageal atresia and its management. Methods We performed searches for ‘oesophageal atresia’ and ‘esophageal atresia’ using the Google, Yahoo, and Bing engines to encompass both European and American spellings. We assessed the first 20 results of each search and excluded duplicates or unrelated pages. The DISCERN score and the Health on the Net Foundation Code (HONcode) toolbar were utilized to assess the quality of information on each website. We evaluated readability with the Flesch reading ease (FRE) and the Flesch–Kincaid grade (FKG). Results Of the original 120 hits, 61 were excluded (51 duplicates, 10 unrelated). Out of 59 individual sites reviewed, only 13 sites were HONcode approved. The mean overall DISCERN score was 52.55 (range: 22–78). The mean DISCERN score for the search term ‘oesphageal atresia’ was 57 (range: 22–78) in comparison to 59.03 for ‘esophageal atresia’ (range: 27–78). Google search had the lowest overall mean DISCERN score at 54.83 (range: 35–78), followed by Yahoo at 58.03 (range: 22–78), and Bing with the highest overall mean score of 61.2 (range: 27–78). The majority of websites were graded excellent (≥63) or good (51–62), 43% and 27%, respectively; 20% were scored as fair (39–50), with 10% being either poor (27–38) or very poor (≤26). In terms of readability, the overall Flesch Reading Ease score was 33.02, and the overall Flesch–Kincaid grade level was 10.3. Conclusions The quality of freely available online information relating to esophageal atresia is generally good but may not be accessible to everyone due to being relatively difficult to read. We should direct parents towards comprehensive, high-quality, and easily readable information sources should they wish to supplement their knowledge about esophageal atresia and its management.

scholarly journals An Analysis of the Readability of Educational Materials on the Consumer Webpage of a Health Professional Organization: Considerations for Practice

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naudia Falconer ◽  
E. Reicherter ◽  
Barbara Billek-Sawhney ◽  
Steven Chesbro
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Professional Organization ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Site Evaluation ◽  
American Physical

The readability level of many patient education materials is too high for patients to comprehend, placing the patient’s health at risk. Since health professionals often recommend Internet-based patient education resources, they must ensure that the readability of information provided to consumers is at an appropriate level. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the readability of educational brochures found on the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) consumer website. Methods: Fourteen educational brochures on the APTA website in March 2008 were analyzed using the following assessments: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease, Fry Readability Formula, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), Checklist for Patient Education Materials, and Consumer Health Web Site Evaluation Checklist. Results: According to the Flesch-Kincaid and Flesch Reading Ease, over 90% of the brochures were written at greater than a sixth grade level. The mean reading level was grade 10.2 (range = 3.1 to 12) with a Reading Ease score between 31.5 to 79.9. Using the SMOG formula, the brochures had a mean reading level of grade 11.5 (range = 9 to 13). The Fry Readability showed that 85% of the brochures were written higher than a sixth grade level, with a mean reading level of grade 9.5 (range = 6 to 14). Conclusion: Findings suggest that most of the consumer education information available on the website of this health professional organization had readability scores that were too high for average consumers to read.

scholarly journals Health websites on COVID-19: are they readable and credible enough to help public self-care?

2021 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeideh Valizadeh-Haghi ◽  
Yasser Khazaal ◽  
Shahabedin Rahmatizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
High School Graduates ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Readability Level

Objective: There are concerns about nonscientific and/or unclear information on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that is available on the Internet. Furthermore, people’s ability to understand health information varies and depends on their skills in reading and interpreting information. This study aims to evaluate the readability and creditability of websites with COVID-19-related information.Methods: The search terms “coronavirus,” “COVID,” and “COVID-19” were input into Google. The websites of the first thirty results for each search term were evaluated in terms of their credibility and readability using the Health On the Net Foundation code of conduct (HONcode) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), Gunning Fog, and Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRE) scales, respectively.Results: The readability of COVID-19-related health information on websites was suitable for high school graduates or college students and, thus, was far above the recommended readability level. Most websites that were examined (87.2%) had not been officially certified by HONcode. There was no significant difference in the readability scores of websites with and without HONcode certification.Conclusion: These results suggest that organizations should improve the readability of their websites and provide information that more people can understand. This could lead to greater health literacy, less health anxiety, and the provision of better preventive information about the disease.

Exploring online access of an immuno-oncology wallet card among oncology providers.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 93-93
Author(s):  
Janelle Schrag ◽  
Latha Shivakumar ◽  
Monique Dawkins ◽  
Leigh Boehmer ◽  
Lorna Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Professional Organization ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
Cancer Program ◽  
Drug Companies ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Oncology Providers

93 Background: In 2019, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) developed an immuno-oncology (IO) wallet card to address the continuous need for immune-related adverse event education and resources, particularly for IO patients and the non-oncology providers from whom they receive care. The wallet card was distributed to ACCC’s membership of cancer programs via mailings and online, which included a short survey for users to complete at time of download. Methods: To better understand the demographics and motivations of individuals who access the IO wallet card, an exploratory analysis was performed on data collected through the download survey. Data included the survey responses from all downloads between March and September 2019 (n = 141), which was then cleaned to remove duplicates, incomplete responses, and responses from ACCC staff, international users, pharmaceutical representatives, consultants, and patients. Analysis was then performed on the resulting data set of downloads from US-based health care providers (n = 86). Results: Cancer program administrators and nurses accounted for the majority of downloads (30% and 20%, respectively), as well as individuals from comprehensive community cancer programs (44%) and NCI-designated comprehensive cancer programs (16%). Fewer downloads came from other oncology disciplines (2-9%) and small practices (2-6%). Survey responses indicated that the majority of downloads were due to the cancer program not already having the resource (47%), or for comparison with a wallet card developed by the cancer program (15%) or another organization (10%). Patient education materials provided by these institutions included wallet cards (45%), as well as print materials developed by the cancer program (16%), another professional organization (7%), or distributed by drug companies (5%). Conclusions: These finding shed light on the primary audiences accessing the IO wallet card, how this resource may complement other IO patient education materials, and areas where additional education may be needed. Specifically, IO wallet card dissemination or related education may need to be tailored to better reach specific oncology disciplines as well as those practicing in smaller clinics.

A qualitative thematic analysis of online UK diabetes health forums to assess experiences and perspectives of insulin therapy in Type 2 Diabetes (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Allen-Taylor ◽  
Laura Ryan ◽  
Rebecca Upsher ◽  
Kirsty Winkley-Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Insulin Therapy ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Study Results

BACKGROUND Despite the advent of newer therapeutic agents, many individuals with T2D will require insulin treatment. Insulin refusal and cessation of treatment in this group is common and their needs under explored. OBJECTIVE To understand the experiences and perspectives of individuals with type 2 diabetes who have been recommended or prescribed insulin therapy, expressed on online health forums. METHODS Setting: Retrospective archived forum threads from the two largest, freely and publicly accessible diabetes health forums in the UK were screened over a 12-month period (August 2019-20). Design: Within the Diabetes UK forum, the search term ‘insulin (title only)’ was employed to identify relevant threads. Within Diabetes.co.uk, threads were screened within an existing ‘Type 2 with insulin’ message board. Three independent researchers coded the forum threads and posts. Pertinent themes and subthemes were identified and have been illustrated by paraphrasing of members quotes, to ensure anonymity. Participants: n=299 posts from 29 threads from Diabetes UK and n=295 posts from 28 threads from Diabetes.co.uk, were analysed over the study period. Fifty-seven threads in total met the inclusion criteria and were included in the thematic analysis. RESULTS Four overarching themes with subthemes were generated to illustrate the unmet needs that had prompted members to seek information, advice and support outside of their usual care provision, via the forums: (1) unmet practical needs and self-management support; including insulin injection technique, titration, travel, driving with insulin and utilising new technology, (2) psychological and peer support; advice, encouragement and empathy, which was readily offered and well received, (3) seeking and providing extended lifestyle advice; discussions around alternative diet strategies, types of activity and their effects on glycaemia and body weight, and (4) relationships with health care professionals (HCPs); including recounting of problematic experiences such as paternalism, lack of HCP knowledge and inadequate provision of effective insulin focused diabetes self-management education. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to utilise data from online health forums, to characterise the experiences and perspectives of people with T2D who are recommended or prescribed insulin therapy. The observed naturalistic conversations have generated useful insights. Our findings suggest there are additional needs that are not being currently met by health care providers. They also suggest that problematic relationships with HCPs remain a barrier to effective insulin therapy. The study results will help to directly inform insulin focused diabetes self-management and support strategies, in order to enable individuals to achieve their best outcomes.

The Quality and Accuracy of Hemophilia Information on the Internet.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 244-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky R Breakey ◽  
Danial M Ignas ◽  
Avram E Denburg ◽  
Victor S. Blanchette
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Hemophilia A ◽  
Coagulation Factor ◽  
Factor Ix ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Educational Grant

Abstract Abstract 244 The Internet has become a major source of health information for our patients, especially those with chronic illnesses. Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder that is due to a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII (hemophilia A) or Factor IX (hemophilia B). There are many websites devoted to hemophilia, but currently there are no data on the quality of the information provided on the Internet. To assess the quality, accuracy and readability of information related to hemophilia that is available on the Internet, three reviewers (two physicians and one lay person with severe hemophilia A) reviewed the first three pages of hits for the search term “hemophilia” on the four most popular Internet search engines. The validated DISCERN rating instrument for written patient information was applied to assess the general quality of the information (Charnock et al. 1999). Content was assessed for breadth and accuracy using an adapted Checklist Rating System Instrument (Bichakjian et al. 2002). The World Federation of Hemophilia's “Guidelines for the Management of Hemophilia” were referenced as the gold standard of hemophilia information. Readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Score and the Flesch-Kinkaid Grade level score. After omission of duplicates and inaccessible sites, a total of 31 websites were reviewed. The sites were 42% commercial, 29% institutional and 29% charitable. Reviewers showed good inter-rater reliability when assessing overall quality with the DISCERN tool, with a quadratic weighted kappa >0.6. Four websites (13%) contained a total of 15 inaccuracies. Readability of the five most highly-rated websites suggests that content is written at the equivalent of a grade 10/11 level, much higher than the grade 8 level suggested for patient education materials. In conclusion, the 31 websites containing hemophilia-related information varied widely in the content and quality of information with 13% of sites citing inaccuracies. Hemophilia treatment centers should be aware of the hemophilia resources available on the Internet and must guide patients in finding the most comprehensive and accurate information. Health care providers should be actively involved in the development of thorough and accurate web-based hemophilia education that is written at an appropriate level to meet the needs of our patients. Disclosures: Breakey: Baxter: Educational Grant for Hemophilia Patient Education. Blanchette:Baxter Healthcare Corporation: Educational Grant for Work in Hemophilia, Honoraria.

scholarly journals “Brave men” and “emotional women”: A literature review on gendered norms towards patients with pain

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Samulowitz ◽  
I Gremyr ◽  
E Eriksson ◽  
G Hensing
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Societal Norms

Abstract Background More women than men report chronic pain but despite the large body of research on sex differences there is a lack of knowledge on the influence of social and cultural gender. As gender norms can lead to gender bias in health care it is important to raise awareness about them. The purpose of this study was to illustrate gendered norms about men and women with chronic pain in scientific journals, and to analyze how societal norms are reproduced in health care. Methods A literature search of the databases PsycINFO, CINAHL and PubMed was conducted, January 2000 to April 2015, with the search term chronic pain combined with femininity, masculinity, gender bias, gender stereotypes and gender roles. A total of 77 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed qualitatively. The integrative approach enabled a review of articles from both social and medical sciences, and to include qualitative and quantitative research. The material was sorted into theoretical categories and further coded into substantive categories. Results The included articles showed a variety of gendered norms about men’s and women’s experience and expression of pain, their identity, lifestyle and coping style. Women were described as emotional and hysterical, constantly dealing with mistrust from health care. Men were pictured as brave, stoic and struggling with their sense of masculinity. Prevailing societal norms are consolidated in health care, positioning the masculine man as the ideal patient. Conclusions Gender stereotypes are reproduced in healthcare, which can lead to gender bias in the treatment of patients with pain. The findings were used to develop a tool, “the pain cube”, aimed to improve health care providers’ consciousness about gendered norms. Key messages Men and women with chronic pain are depicted in a stereotypical way in scientific articles. Increased awareness about gendered norms can support health care professionals in providing equitable care.

Melanoma Information on the Internet: Often Incomplete—A Public Health Opportunity?

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher K. Bichakjian ◽  
Jennifer L. Schwartz ◽  
Timothy S. Wang ◽  
Janette M. Hall ◽  
Timothy M. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Kappa Statistic ◽  
General Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Care Providers

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy and completeness of information regarding melanoma on the Internet, retrieved by use of search engines. METHODS: The first 30 uniform/universal resource locators (URLs) from each of eight search engines using the search term “melanoma” were retrieved for evaluation of accuracy and completeness using a 35-point checklist rating system instrument. Four reviewers independently rated each of 35 sites, and one reviewer rated all 74 assessable sites. Kappa statistics were used to evaluate interrater variability. RESULTS: A total of 74 assessable Web sites were evaluated. The remainder were inaccessible, link pages only, or duplicates. Thirty-five Web sites were each independently rated by four reviewers. The remaining 39 Web sites were each rated by one reviewer. The mean kappa statistic for all variables and all rater pairs for which a kappa could be calculated was 0.824, indicating excellent overall inter-rater reliability. The majority of Web sites failed to include complete information on general information, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis. Ten Web sites (14%) contained a total of 13 inaccuracies, most relatively minor. CONCLUSION: Medical information retrieved with the search term melanoma was likely to lack complete basic melanoma information and contained inaccuracies in 14% of sites. Health care providers can help patients by recommending comprehensive and accurate Web sites for patient review, by working to create accurate and thorough Web-based health information material, and by educating patients and the public about the variability in completeness and accuracy.

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