scholarly journals Evaluating the Quality and Readability of Online Resources for Covid-19 in Pregnancy: An Assessment of Web Based Information (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Owens ◽  
Catherine Ford ◽  
Lopa Pandya
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Kappa Statistic ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Website Content ◽  
In Pregnancy

BACKGROUND The internet is a source for inquiries and a way to distribute information. Pregnant women may look to the internet for information about COVID-19’s impact on pregnancy. As providers, it’s vital to provide patients with information that is both reliable and comprehendible. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the readability and quality of web-based information regarding Covid-19 in pregnancy. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the quality, readability, and accuracy of web-based information regarding Covid-19 in pregnancy. METHODS The JAMA benchmark tool was used to evaluate the websites. Readability was assessed using Flesch-Kincaid reading ease and Flesch-Kincaid grade level. An interrater reliability analysis using the Kappa statistic was performed to determine consistency among raters. RESULTS The mean score using the JAMA tool was 3.53 (SD, 0.74). The majority of the websites came from news sites (37.8%). The median reading grade level was 11.9. The interrater reliability for the raters was found to be Kappa=0.363 (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that reliable information regarding Covid-19 in pregnancy was available online. An assessment of website content indicated that both grade levels and reading ease was higher than recommended. By guiding patients to reliable and accurate sources we can educate our patients while also guiding shared decision making.

scholarly journals Quality and readability of web-based Arabic health information on COVID-19: Infodemiology study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esam Halboub ◽  
Mohammed Sultan Al-Akhali ◽  
Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi ◽  
Mohammed Nasser Alhajj
Keyword(s):  
American Medical Association ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Web

Abstract Objective: The study sought to assess the quality and readability of the web-based Arabic health information on COVID-19. Methods: Selected search engines were searched on 13 April 2020 for specific Arabic terms on COVID-19. The first 100 consecutive websites from each engine were obtained. The quality of the websites was analyzed using the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and the DISCERN benchmarks instrument. The readability was assessed using an online readability calculator tool. Results: Overall, 36 websites were found eligible for quality and readability analyses. Only one website (2.7%) was HONcode certified. No single website attained a high score based on the DISCERN tool; the mean score of all websites was 31.5±12.55. Regarding JAMA benchmarks, a mean score of 2.08±1.05 was achieved by the websites; however, only 4 (11.1%) websites achieved all JAMA criteria. The average grade levels for readability were 7.2±7.5, 3.3±0.6 and 93.5±19.4 for Flesch Kincaid Grade level, SMOG, Flesch Reading Ease, respectively. Conclusion: Most of the available web-based Arabic health information on COVID-19 doesn’t have the required level of quality, irrespective of being easy to read and understand by most of the general people.

Measuring Text Readability Using Reading Level

2019 ◽  
pp. 93-103
Author(s):  
James C. Brewer
Keyword(s):  
Grade Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
Wide Audience ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Text Readability ◽  
Worldwide Phenomenon ◽  
The Military

Reading grade level calculations have been in use for over a century in the United States and have guided the selection of texts used in school programs. Government agencies at all levels, the military in its various branches, and editors of publications have found such formulas of use in setting policy or determining who can participate in programs. As readership is now a worldwide phenomenon with English as the primary language of the internet, reading grade level calculations can also be useful in creating web pages and assigning reading texts to large multi-user classes (MOOCs) run over the internet. In this regard, it is possible for faculty to be assured that the material is reachable to a wide audience by checking reading grade level and providing additional guidance for the more difficult items in the form of discussion or focused questions. Authors can use the formulas as a tool to check the quality of their own writing and improve sections which are unnecessarily complex.

Infodemiology of Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis using Google Trends – an approach to investigate patient needs

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (03) ◽  
pp. 224-233
Author(s):  
Ronald Keller ◽  
Stefano Fusco ◽  
Eduard F. Stange ◽  
Nisar P. Malek ◽  
Jan Wehkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Care ◽  
Google Trends ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Education Of Patients ◽  
Nutritional Recommendations ◽  
Great Heterogeneity ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Website Content

Abstract Introduction Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) highly affect quality of life. The course of disease and success of treatment are variable. These factors result in a high number of psychiatric comorbidities with patients requiring extensive medical consultation or additional psychotherapy. Unfortunately, time is often limited in daily clinical care, which leaves patients not feeling sufficiently informed about their disease. Patients often compensate by searching the internet, with possibly harmful information. We aim to identify information gaps to allow a more complete education of patients. Methods We analyzed the internet search behavior using the key words [Morbus Crohn] (CD) and [Colitis ulcerosa] (UC) using Google Trends. In addition, we investigated which websites are the first hits on Google, as those are most likely visited by patients. Results Symptoms, nutrition and therapy are central topics for persons interested in IBD. The searches concerning symptoms or therapies do not match the actual incidence or prevalence of comorbidities as well as the more commonly used therapies or established nutritional recommendations. We found a distinct impact of well-known personalities on disease related searches. The first suggested websites on google showed great heterogeneity of responsible publishers, often with possible conflict of interests. In line with those observations, quality of website content is highly heterogeneous. Conclusion This study showed a need of information concerning symptoms, nutrition and therapy that should be considered during patient education. Since time in physician patient dialogue is short it may be helpful to further evaluate websites independently in order to give recommendations of websites offering reliable information.

Web-Based Information for Patients and Providers

2020 ◽  
pp. 19-33
Author(s):  
Izabella Lejbkowicz
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
World Population ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
The Impact

The exponential development of Information Technologies revolutionized healthcare. A significant aspect of this revolution is the access to health information in the Internet. The Internet World Stats estimates that 56.8% of the world population used the Internet in March 2019, an increase of 1,066% from 2000. According to The Pew Research Center survey of 2012 81% of Americans used the internet and 72% of them searched for health information. Even though there is a lack in more recent data on the percentage of online health information seekers, it is clear that this trend is on the rise. This chapter focuses on the characteristics of the search for online health information by patients and providers, investigates features related to the quality of health web sites, and discusses the impact of these searches on healthcare.

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 Survey on Load Balancing Algorithms for Cloud Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 764-767
Author(s):  
P. Chitra ◽  
Karthika D. Renuka ◽  
K. Senathipathi ◽  
S. Deepika ◽  
R. Geethamani
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Load Balancing ◽  
Resource Utilization ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cloud Environment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Qos Metrics

Cloud computing is the cutting edge technology in the information field to provide services to the users over the internet through web–based tools and applications. One of the major aspects of cloud computing is load balancing. Challenges like Quality of service (QoS) metrics and resource utilization can be improved by balancing the load in cloud environment. Specific scheduling criteria can be applied using load balancing for users prioritization. This paper surveys different load balancing algorithms. The approaches that are existing are discussed and analyzed to provide fair load balancing and also a comparative analysis was presented for the performance of the existing different load balancing schemes.

A web-based survey of midwives’ perceptions of women using the Internet in pregnancy: a global phenomenon

Midwifery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Briege M. Lagan ◽  
Marlene Sinclair ◽  
W. George Kernohan
Keyword(s):  
The Internet ◽  
Web Based ◽  
In Pregnancy

scholarly journals Availability and quality of mobile health app privacy policies

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (e1) ◽  
pp. e28-e33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Sunyaev ◽  
Tobias Dehling ◽  
Patrick L Taylor ◽  
Kenneth D Mandl
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Health ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Information Privacy ◽  
College Level ◽  
Privacy Policies ◽  
Informed Decisions ◽  
Reading Grade Level ◽  
Mhealth Apps

Abstract Mobile health (mHealth) customers shopping for applications (apps) should be aware of app privacy practices so they can make informed decisions about purchase and use. We sought to assess the availability, scope, and transparency of mHealth app privacy policies on iOS and Android. Over 35 000 mHealth apps are available for iOS and Android. Of the 600 most commonly used apps, only 183 (30.5%) had privacy policies. Average policy length was 1755 (SD 1301) words with a reading grade level of 16 (SD 2.9). Two thirds (66.1%) of privacy policies did not specifically address the app itself. Our findings show that currently mHealth developers often fail to provide app privacy policies. The privacy policies that are available do not make information privacy practices transparent to users, require college-level literacy, and are often not focused on the app itself. Further research is warranted to address why privacy policies are often absent, opaque, or irrelevant, and to find a remedy.

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.

scholarly journals Providing the quality of the content of the official websites of contemporary establishments of higher education

2020 ◽  
pp. 136-148
Author(s):  
Olena Kravchenko
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Information Content ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Higher Educational ◽  
The University ◽  
Website Content

The article argues that the relevance of providing the quality of the official website content of modern universities is predetermined by the objective requirements of the present day, such as the priority of the state policy in the field of integration of higher educational institutions into the European education space, the globalization of information technologies and increasing of the Internet activity among the population. The subject of the study is the features of the websites' information content of the universities from different countries. It is determined that the website content of a modern institution of higher education contains information on various types of university activities (educational, scientific, pedagogic, financial, and marketing). The content of websites of foreign and universities was analyzed according to the following criteria: language; informativeness; utility; administrative and financial transparency; technical design. The analysis of website content of various universities was carried out in accordance the availability of information of university’s general characteristics, of the organization of the university’s educational process and features of student life, of university's scientific activities, of ways of advertising and the formation of a positive image of an educational institution in the imagination of Internet visitors. The attention is focused on the features of the websites' information content of the leading foreign and domestic universities. The main distinctions are in the ways of positioning the institution in the future; outlining the competitive advantages of an educational institution and highlighting the opportunities for improving the quality of the educational process; popularizing the university's scientific activities, and identifying the ways to confirm the reputation of the university. It is proved that the development of top-quality content contributes to the improvement of the image of the higher educational institution on the Internet, as well as increases the competitiveness of the university in the market of educational services both in the country and abroad. Awareness of the relevance of providing the quality of the official website content of the institution of higher education allows to tackle the problem of creating and distributing vital, unique, classified, and interesting information.

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