scholarly journals Quality analysis of patient information on surgical treatment of haemorrhoids on the internet

2013 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 341-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
TM Yeung ◽  
ND D’Souza
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
The Internet ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Benign Condition

Introduction Haemorrhoids are the most common benign condition seen by colorectal surgeons. At clinic appointments, advice given about lifestyle modification or surgical interventions may not be understood fully by patients. Patients may use the internet for further research into their condition. However, the quality of such information has not been investigated before. This study assessed the quality of patient information on surgical treatment of haemorrhoids on the internet. Methods Four searches were carried out using the search terms ‘surgery for haemorrhoids’ and ‘surgery for piles’ on two search engines (Google and Yahoo). The first 50 results for each search were assessed. Sites were evaluated using the DISCERN instrument. Results In total, 200 websites were assessed, of which 144 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, 63 (44%) were sponsored by herbal remedies for haemorrhoids. Eighty-nine (62%) mentioned conservative treatment options but eleven (8%) did not include surgery in their treatment options. Only 38 sites (27%) mentioned recurrence of haemorrhoids following surgery and 28 sites (20%) did not list any complications. Overall, 19 websites (14%) were judged as being of high quality, 66 (45%) as moderate quality and 58 (40%) as low quality. Conclusions The quality of information on the internet is highly variable and a significant proportion of websites assessed are poor. The majority of websites are sponsored by private companies selling alternative treatments for haemorrhoids. Clinicians should be prepared to advise their patients which websites can provide high-quality information on the surgical treatment of haemorrhoids.

scholarly journals Pop-Science on the Internet: How ULISSE Makes the Ends Meet

10.28945/2459 ◽  
2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Cerrato
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
General Public ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
High Technology ◽  
The Internet ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Set Up

There is an increasing demand for what we can call pop-science that is pertinent scientific information dedicated to the non-specialists. This demand comes both from professional categories and the general public. Simultaneously in the scientific community there is an increasing consciousness that diffusion of the scientific information is an asset the scientific community cannot afford to overlook. The Internet is a perfect tool to meet this demand. It reaches a large and ever-increasing number of people and permits an interactive and detailed exchange of information. As an experiment of how to combine high quality services and the information technology, we have set up Ulisse - In the net of science (http://ulisse.sissa.it), an innovative Italian project for the popularisation of science via the Internet. Its main purpose is to establish a connection between scientists and the general public. Ulisse is based on three major characteristics: a) high technology to create an efficient and friendly system, b) customisation of the services, c) a network of scientists, which guaranteed the quality of the materials.

Quality of Health Information on the Internet

2009 ◽  
pp. 443-455
Author(s):  
Kleopatra Alamantariotou
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Effective Use

Recent statistics show that the World Wide Web has now grown to over 100 million sites: a phenomenal expansion in only 15 years (Mulligan 2007). It has been estimated that there are 100,000 sites offering health related information (Wilson 2002). As the amount of health information increases, the public find it increasingly difficult to decide what to accept and what to reject (Burgess 2007). Searching for information on the internet is both deceptively easy and the same time frustratingly difficult (Kiley 2002). The challenge for consumers is to find high quality, relevant information as quickly as possible. There has been ongoing debate about the quality of information aimed at patients and the general public and opinions differ on how it can be improved (Stepperd 1999). The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of the different perspectives on information quality and to review the main criteria for assessing the quality of health information on the internet. Pointers are provided to enable both clinicians and patients find high quality information sources. An understanding of these issues should help health professionals and patients to make effective use of the internet.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Patient Information Quality and Readability on Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) on the Internet

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Priyanka ◽  
Yousaf B. Hadi ◽  
G. J. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Quality Of Information ◽  
Website Quality ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Moderate Quality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
11Th Grade

Objective. Patients are increasingly using the Internet to inform themselves of health-related topics and procedures, including EGD. We analyzed the quality of information and readability of websites after a search on 3 different search engines. Methods. We used an assessment tool for website quality analysis that we developed in addition to using validated instruments for website quality, Global Quality Score (GQS) and Health on Net (HON) certification. The readability was assessed using Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease (FRE) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade level (FKG). 30 results of each search terms ‘EGD’ and ‘Upper Endoscopy’ from Google and 15 each from Bing and Yahoo were analyzed. A total of 45 websites were included from 100 URLs after removing duplicates, video links, and journal articles. Results. Only 3 websites were found to have good quality and comprehensive and authentic information. These websites were https://www.healthline.com, https://www.uptodate.com, and https://www.emedicine.medscape.com. There were additional 13 sites with moderate quality of information. The mean Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease (FRE) score was 46.92 (range 81.6-6.5). The mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade level (FKG) was 11th grade, with a range of 6th grade to 12th grade and above making them difficult to read. Conclusions. Our study shows that there are quite a few websites with moderate quality content. We recommend 3 comprehensive and authentic websites out of 45 URLs analyzed for information on Internet for EGD. In addition, the readability of the websites was consistently at a higher level than recommended by AMA at 11th grade level. In addition, we identified 3 websites with moderate quality content written at 8th grade and below readability level. We feel that gastroenterologists can help their patients better understand this procedure by directing them to these comprehensive websites.

A Review on Edge Connectivity Framework for Handheld Computing

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Rajaguru D. ◽  
Puviyarasi T. ◽  
Vengattaraman T.
Keyword(s):  
Supply Management ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Smart Environments ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Handheld Device ◽  
Handheld Computing ◽  
Time Critical ◽  
Near Future ◽  
The Internet Of Things

The Internet of Things(IoT) such as the use of robots, sensors, actuators, electronic signalization and a variety of other internet-enabled physical devices may provide for new advanced smart applications to be used in construction in the very near future. Such applications require real-time responses and are therefore time-critical. Therefore, in order to support collaboration, control, monitoring, supply management, safety and other construction processes, they have to meet dependability requirements, including requirements for high Quality of Service (QoS). Dependability and high QoS can be achieved by using adequate number and quality of computing resources, such as processing, memory and networking elements, geographically close to the smart environments for handheld device computing (HDC).

scholarly journals Evaluation of Quality and Readability of Online Health Information on High Blood Pressure Using DISCERN and Flesch-Kincaid Tools

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3214
Author(s):  
Muhammad Tahir ◽  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Fazal Muhammad ◽  
Shams ur Rehman ◽  
Imran Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Health Information ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Pertinent Data

High Blood Pressure (BP) is a vital factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. For more than a decade now, patients search for quality and easy-to-read Online Health Information (OHI) for symptoms, preventions, therapy and other medical conditions. In this paper, we evaluate the quality and readability of OHI about high BP. In order that the first 20 clicks of three top-rated search engines have been used to collect the pertinent data. Using the exclusion criteria, 25 unique websites are selected for evaluation. The quality of all included links is evaluated through DISCERN checklist, a questionnaire for assessing the quality of written information for a health problem. To enhance the reliability of evaluation, all links are separately assessed by two different groups—a group of Health Professional (HPs) and a group of Lay Subjects (LS). A readability test is performed using Flesch-Kincaid tool. Fleiss’ kappa has been calculated before considering average value of each group. After evaluation, the average DISCERN value of HPs is 49.43 ± 14.0 (fair quality) while for LS, it is 48.7 ± 12.2; the mean Flesch-Reading Ease Score (FRES) is 58.5 ± 11.1, which is fairly difficult to read and the Average Grade Level (AGL) is 8.8 ± 1.9. None of the websites scored more than 73 (90%). In both groups, only 4 (16%) websites achieved DISCERN score over 80%. Mann-Whitney and Cronbach’s alpha have been computed to check the statistical significance of the difference between two groups and internal consistency of DISCERN checklist, respectively. Normality and homoscedasticity tests have been performed to check the distribution of scores of both evaluating groups. In both groups, information category websites achieved high DISCERN score but their readability level is worse. Highest scoring websites have clear aim, succinct source and high quality of information on treatment options. High BP is a pervasive disease, yet most of the websites did not produce precise or high-quality information on treatment options.

Tu1083 Systematic Assessment of Quality of Patient Information on Colorectal Cancer Screening on the Internet

2015 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. S-783
Author(s):  
Elisabeth H. Schreuders ◽  
Elisabeth J. Grobbee ◽  
Ernst J. Kuipers ◽  
Manon C. Spaander ◽  
Sander Veldhuyzen van Zanten
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Systematic Assessment

The career of radiography: information on the web

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Glennie ◽  
A. Kirby
Keyword(s):  
The Internet ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Of Information ◽  
Staff Shortage ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Good Score ◽  
The Government ◽  
Diagnostic Radiography ◽  
The Web

Purpose: To establish whether or not the quantity and quality of information available on the internet about the career of diagnostic radiography is of a good or satisfactory standard.Methods: Four search engines with four different search terms were used and the top twenty hits for each group were read. The applicable sites were scored to determine the quality of each site.Results: Only 12% (37) of the 320 sites read were applicable. Out of the 37 there were 4 sites that gained a good score from the scoring sheet and therefore were classed as high quality, but 21 out of 37 sites did gain half marks or over.Conclusions: In conclusion, the quantity and quality of sites about the career of radiography was not of a satisfactory standard and more attention from both the government and professional bodies is needed if the profession is to gain attention and the staff shortage problem is to be solved.

scholarly journals Erratum to: Quality of patient information on the internet for the treatment of anal fistula and anal fissure

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 1185-1185
Author(s):  
F. Scott ◽  
A. Sehgal ◽  
H. M. Joshi ◽  
T. M. Yeung ◽  
M. P. Gosselink
Keyword(s):  
Anal Fissure ◽  
Anal Fistula ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
The Internet

Onychomycosis: Quality of Studies

2003 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya K. Gupta ◽  
Jennifer E. Ryder ◽  
Robyn Bluhm ◽  
Andrew Johnson ◽  
Richard C. Summerbell
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Treatment Regimen ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Citation Count ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Score

Objective: The quality of original clinical trial publications pertaining to the use of oral antifungal agents to treat onychomycosis was evaluated using predetermined criteria. Methods: The list of studies included in this analysis was determined by conducting a search in Medline. For each clinical trial, two independent reviewers each determined a composite score by evaluating a list of criteria that were felt to represent a good study, for example, randomization and blinding, prior sample size calculated, and treatment regimen clearly explained. A citation count was performed to determine whether higher-quality papers were cited more often than lower-quality papers. Results: Forty-five studies were included in this quality analysis of study design. Of these, 27 were considered to be “high quality” (score greater than or equal to 11 out of 20). A significant correlation coefficient of 0.997 was found between the two reviewers ( P < 0.00001). Higher-quality papers were cited significantly more often than lower-quality papers ( P = 0.03). Conclusion: The scale that we use to evaluate the quality of onychomycosis studies has high interrater reliability. According to this scale, many published studies (18 out of 45) pertaining to treatments for onychomycosis do not meet the criteria required to be considered “high quality.”

scholarly journals Quality of Online Health Information Regarding Sickle Cell Disease Transition

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4719-4719
Author(s):  
Steffi Shilly ◽  
Jane Lindahl ◽  
Dava Szalda ◽  
Caren Steinway ◽  
Sophia Jan
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Of Information ◽  
Website Content

Abstract Introduction: As modern medicine has decreased mortality rates of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), patients with SCD are living into adulthood and transitioning to adult care. However transition for these patients has proven to be a vulnerable time. Thus, it is important to prepare youth adequately for chronic care transition through expectations, knowledge, skills, efficacy, and support. The advancement of the Internet has provided patients a primary source to search and gather health-related knowledge. Internet usage is almost ubiquitous among American youth with 92% of them accessing the Internet regularly. Previous studies have shown a wide spectrum in the quality of information available on the Internet. Yet, to the best of our knowledge, a systematic review of online health information regarding transition of patients with SCD has not been conducted. Methods: Data were collected in December 2017 and January 2018 using the 5 search engines that have been identified as being most commonly utilized. Keywords were selected to represent phrases that people may use while searching for information on the Internet regarding SCD transition. Combinations of the keywords were used in the searches, and the first 20 links for each search term were considered in our study. Incognito window was used so that previous searches did not influence the results from the search engines. Websites that met the required inclusion/ exclusion criteria were included in this study. Websites were divided as SCD transition or non-SCD transition specific websites based on whether they mentioned sickle cell disease or not. Websites were classified as academic/educational institution, health department, hospital/private clinician, professional body, or other (includes Wiki, WebMD, and etc). Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) Score was used to evaluate website readability. A novel 12-item transition-specific content tool was produced to evaluate website content. Website quality was evaluated by assessing for the presence or absence of the HONcode certification and using the EQIP tool. A high quality website was defined as having an EQIP Score ≥ 75% in this study. Website quality and content was scored by two research assistants employed in the General Pediatrics department at Northwell Health. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel and online tools. A p-value <0.05 was the criterion for statistical significance. Results: Using the combination of keywords decided, 9522 websites were identified using the selected search engines. Of the 9522 websites, 157 eligible websites met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. 92 websites were SCD specific links and 65 websites were non-SCD specific links. 27 websites had a HONCode certification issued to them. Only 1 non-SCD website and 26 SCD specific websites had HONCode certifications. The average EQIP score was 59.0 ± 3.0. The average EQIP score for SCD specific websites was 56.9 ± 5.2 and was 61.1 ± 5.0 for non-SCD specific websites. Based on the cutoff value of an EQIP score ≥ 75%, 6 SCD specific websites and 13 non-SCD specific websites are of high quality. The interrater reliability in EQIP ratings was good (Pearson correlation: 0.660). The average FRE score was 49.0 ± 4.0. The average FRE score was 51.9 ± 13.7 for SCD specific websites and 46.1 ± 15.8 for non-SCD specific websites. The average website content score was 28.6 ± 10.7. The average website content score was 21.0 ± 7.1 for SCD specific websites and 36.1 ± 10.2 for non-SCD specific websites. The results of the two tailed t-test indicated that FRE scores between HONCode certified and non-HONCode certified websites were significant for among SCD websites as well as among combined SCD and non-SCD websites (p < 0.05). All identified websites will also be reviewed by two physicians who specialize in caring for young adults with chronic illnesses. Analyses from their review will be conducted prior to the conference. Conclusion: Although seeking health care information online is very common, the overall quality of information about sickle cell disease transition on the Internet is poor. Steps should be taken to make changes that will allow for adequate online healthcare information regarding sickle cell disease transition. By doing this, youth going through transition will be prepared by having competent expectations, knowledge, skills, efficacy, and support available on the Internet. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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