scholarly journals Accuracy and Reliability of Internet Resources for Information on Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance—What Information Is out There for Our Patients?

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4508
Author(s):  
Emma Pauline Kreutzer ◽  
Sandra Sauer ◽  
Mark Kriegsmann ◽  
Henrike Staemmler ◽  
Gerlinde Egerer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Median Time ◽  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Internet Resources ◽  
General Quality ◽  
Online Sources ◽  
Undetermined Significance

Background: Online information gathering can increase patients’ engagement in decision-making. The quality of online resources available for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) was evaluated. Methods: 900 websites from Google, Bing, Yahoo, and 150 YouTube videos were assessed. Results: The websites did not differ regarding their search rank or between the search engines. The median time since last update was 24 months. The 86 unique websites showed a medium to poor general quality (JAMA score 3/4, only 8.1% websites with a valid HON certificate). The patient- (user-) focused quality was poor (sum DISCERN score 27/80 points). The reading level was difficult (11th US school grade). The content level was very low (13/50 points). 12.8% of websites contained misleading/wrong facts. Websites provided by scientific/governmental organizations had a higher content level. For the 61 unique videos, the median time since upload was 34 months. The videos showed a medium general quality (HON Foundation score). The patient- (user-) focused quality was poor (sum DISCERN score 24 points). The content level was very low (6 points). Conclusion: MGUS-relevant online sources showed a low quality that was provided on a high reading level. Incorporation of quality indices and regular review of online content is warranted.

scholarly journals A Faceted Taxonomy for Rating Student Bibliographies in an Online Information Literacy Game

2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Leeder ◽  
Karen Markey ◽  
Elizabeth Yakel
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Iterative Refinement ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Social Game ◽  
Information Literacy Skills ◽  
Online Sources

This study measured the quality of student bibliographies through creation of a faceted taxonomy flexible and fine-grained enough to encompass the variety of online sources cited by today’s students. The taxonomy was developed via interviews with faculty, iterative refinement of categories and scoring, and testing on example student bibliographies. It was then applied to evaluate the final bibliographies created in BiblioBouts, an online social game created to teach undergraduates information literacy skills. The scores of players and nonplayers were compared and showed a positive impact from the game. Findings of the evaluations of these student bibliographies are discussed.

The Quality, Content, Accuracy and Readability of Information about Sickle Cell Anemia on the Internet

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4462-4462
Author(s):  
Vicky R. Breakey ◽  
Lauren Harris ◽  
G Omar Davis ◽  
Arnav Agarwal ◽  
Carley Ouellette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Anemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Internet Health Information ◽  
Flesch Reading Ease ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Website Content

Abstract Objective: A comprehensive website review was conducted to assess the quality, content and readability of online information for teens with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Methods. Key words relevant to SCA were searched across the five most commonly used search engine domains. Websites that contained information about the diagnosis and management of SCA were reviewed. Quality of the information was appraised using the validated DISCERN tool. Two physicians rated website content completeness and accuracy independently. Readability of the sites was documented using SMOG scores and the Flesch Reading ease scoring system. Results. Search results yielded more than 600 sites of which 25 websites met the criteria for DISCERN quality review. The majority of sites targeted parents and only 5/25 (20%) were specific to teens with SCA. The overall quality of the website information was "fair", with the average DISCERN quality rating score being 50.1 (± 9.3, range 31.0-67.5). Only 12/25(48%)of the websites had DISCERN scores above 50 (mean 57.37 + 4.93, range 52.17-67.50). The average completeness score of the sites was 20 out of 29 (±5; range 12-27) and accuracy was consistently rated 4/4, indicating high accuracy with moderate completeness. The average SMOG score was 12.44 (±2.01; range 10.21-16.08), and the mean Flesch Reading Ease score was 46.45 (±13.22; range 17.50-66.10) indicating that the material was written well above the acceptable level for patient education materials. Conclusion. Given the paucity of high quality Internet health information at an appropriate reading level for teens with SCA, there is a critical need for the development of Internet programs to meet their unique self-management needs. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Quality and Readability of Internet Information Sources regarding the Treatment of Swallowing Disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley P. O'Connell Ferster ◽  
Amanda Hu
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Swallowing Disorders ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Google Search

The Internet has become a popular resource for patient education. The information it provides, however, is rarely peer-reviewed, and its quality may be a concern. Since the average American reads at an 8th grade level, the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health have recommended that health information be written at a 4th to 6th grade level. We performed a study to assess the quality and readability of online information regarding the treatment of swallowing disorders. A Google search for “swallowing treatment” was conducted. We studied the first 50 websites that appeared on the search engines results with the use of the DISCERN quality index tool, the Flesch Ease of Reading Score (FRES), and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) readability test. DISCERN is a validated 16-item questionnaire used to assess the quality of written health information; FRES and FKGL are used to assess readability. We classified the websites as either patient-targeted or professional-targeted sites, as well as either major or minor. The overall DISCERN score was 1.61 ± 0.61 (range: 1 to 5), the overall FRES was 39.1 ± 19.0 (range: 1 to 100), and the overall FKGL was 11.8 ± 3.4 (range: 3 to 12). As would be expected, patient-targeted websites had significantly higher FRES and significantly lower FKGL scores than did the professional-targeted websites (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively); there was no significant difference between the two in DISCERN scores. The major websites had significantly higher DISCERN scores than did the minor sites (p = 0.002); there were no significant differences in FRES and FKGL scores. We conclude that online information sources regarding the treatment of swallowing disorders were of sub optimal quality in that information was written at a level too difficult for the average American to easily understand. Also, the patient-targeted websites were written at a lower reading level, and the major websites contained a higher quality of information.

scholarly journals Kyphosis-Related Information On The Internet Is the Quality, Content and Readability Sufficient for the Patients?

2021 ◽  
pp. 219256822110159
Author(s):  
Anıl Agar ◽  
Adem Sahin
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Information Value ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Significant Difference

Study Design: A quality-control Internet-based study using recognized quality scoring systems. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the quality, content and readability of online information on kyphosis. Methods: The 3 most frequently used search engines were identified and a search for “Kyphosis” was made in each. The 2 reviewers categorized their Web-sites by type, and the quality of each was assessed using well-known scoring systems, including the DISCERN score, JAMA benchmark, GQS, and the kyphosis specific content score. The Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL) was used to assess the readability. The quality of the information was also evaluated according to the presence and absence of the HONcode. Results: Sixty unique Web sites were identified and analyzed. The distribution of the categories was 33 (55%) medical, 22 (36.7%) academic, 2 (3.3%) non-physician, 2 (3.3%) commercial and 1 (1.7%) physician. There wasn’t statistically significant difference between the sources in terms of DISCERN, JAMA, GQS and KSC scores ( P > 0.05). However, a review of the FKGL scores revealed that the academic-based websites’ FKGL score was significantly higher than the medical-based websites ( P: 0.007). Also there wasn’t statistically significant difference among the DISCERN, JAMA, GQS, KSC, FKRS and FKGL scores of the web-sites according to the HON code’s presence ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: Information about kyphosis on the Internet is of limited quality and low information value. The readability of the online information in our results showed a significantly higher reading level than the sixth grade level recommended by the AMA and NIH.

scholarly journals Data quality of the monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance diagnosis in a hospital registry

2013 ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Gregersen ◽  
Caroline Larsen ◽  
Anne Haglund ◽  
Rikke Mortensen ◽  
Niels Frost Andersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Quality ◽  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Hospital Registry ◽  
Undetermined Significance

scholarly journals READING ONLINE: EVALUATION OF ONLINE SOURCES CREDIBILITY

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Fatimah Tuzahra
Keyword(s):  
Online Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Easy Task ◽  
Vast Amount ◽  
Online Evaluation ◽  
Online Source ◽  
Online Sources

The vast amount of online information demands readers to check its credibility since fabricated information has widely been misused and also supported by a lack of filters in web-based sources in ensuring its quality. In practice, checking the credibility of an online source is not an easy task to do as searchers need to consider several aspects in its application.  This happens due to some factors, such as language and searchers’ willingness in identifying the quality of online information. This paper focuses on the evaluation of online sources' credibility covering scholars’ definitions of online sources credibility, English-native and foreign searchers’ perspective in judging online sources, and varied criteria applied in online sources credibility in which give insight for readers about this issue and provide references for further study.    

Hand It to Dr Google: The Quality of Online Information on Ganglion Cysts

Hand ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 155894471989578
Author(s):  
Tianshu Angela Ji ◽  
Neil Wells ◽  
Paris-Ann Ingledew
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cyst ◽  
Hand Surgery ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Natural Health Products ◽  
Inaccurate Information ◽  
Closed Rupture ◽  
Ganglion Cysts

Background: The internet is becoming a common source of health information for hand surgery patients. This study evaluates the quality of web-based resources on ganglion cysts of the hand. Methods: We completed a search for “ganglion cyst” on 3 search engines (Google, Dogpile, and Yippy). The quality of the top-100 patient education websites was assessed using a validated internet rating tool. Websites were evaluated based on affiliation, accountability, currency, interactivity, website organization, readability, coverage, and accuracy. Results: Of the 100 websites, the majority (74%) had commercial affiliations. Only 34% of websites identified an author, and even fewer identified the authors’ credentials (27%) or affiliations (26%). A third of the websites cited references, and less than half provided an update date. The average readability based on Flesch-Kincaid grade level was 9.2, and only 3% could be read at or below 6th grade reading level. Prevention was the most poorly covered topic at 13% due to omission. In all, 66% of the websites were completely accurate in terms of global accuracy. Websites were most likely to present inaccurate information on treatment, often failing to mention conservative treatment (watch-and-wait approach) or promoting the use of natural health products. We also found 5% of websites presented closed rupture of the ganglion cyst as a legitimate home remedy. Conclusions: The overall quality of online information on ganglion cysts is highly variable and may occasionally be harmful for patients. It is increasingly important for physicians to prompt patients about their internet use.

scholarly journals Quality and Readability of Online Information for Patients with Pancreatic Cysts: A Cross-sectional Study of Websites (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Peter Oman ◽  
Himesh Zaver ◽  
Mark Waddle ◽  
Juan E. Corral
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Pancreatic Cysts ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Treatment Choices

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cysts are a complex medical problem with several treatment options. Patients are using online health information to understand their condition and to guide treatment choices. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to describe the quality and readability of publically available online information on pancreatic cysts and to compare these across website affiliation. METHODS A Google© search for “pancreatic cysts” was performed and the first 30 websites were evaluated. Website affiliation was classified as academic, media, non-profit, government, or not disclosed. Information describing cancer risk was recorded. The DISCERN instrument measured the quality of content regarding treatment choices. Four standardized tests were used to measure readability. RESULTS Twenty-one websites were included. The majority of websites (95.2%) described the cancer risk associated with pancreatic cysts. Nearly half of the websites were written by an academic hospital or organization. The average DISCERN score for all websites was 40.4 (range 26-65.5; maximum 80). Websites received low scores due to lack of references, failure to describe the risks of treatment, and/or to explain how treatment choices affect quality of life. The average readability score was 14.8 (range 5.76-23.9; maximum 19+) indicating a college reading level. There were no significant differences across website affiliation groups. CONCLUSIONS Online information for patients with pancreatic cysts is moderate quality and written above a middle school reading level. Gastroenterological, cancer treatment organizations, and physicians should advocate for improving available information by providing cancer risk stratification, treatment impact on quality of life, references, and better readability. CLINICALTRIAL n/a

Quality of life in patients with polyneuropathy associated with different types of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 1133-1138
Author(s):  
Milica Opalic ◽  
Stojan Peric ◽  
Aleksa Palibrk ◽  
Ivo Bozovic ◽  
Bogdan Bjelica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Undetermined Significance

Psychological and Cognitive Aspects of Borderline Intellectual Functioning

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastianina Contena ◽  
Stefano Taddei
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Intellectual Functioning ◽  
Clinical Impact ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Borderline Intellectual Functioning ◽  
General Quality ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Over Time

Abstract. Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) refers to a global IQ ranging from 71 to 84, and it represents a condition of clinical attention for its association with other disorders and its influence on the outcomes of treatments and, in general, quality of life and adaptation. Furthermore, its definition has changed over time causing a relevant clinical impact. For this reason, a systematic review of the literature on this topic can promote an understanding of what has been studied, and can differentiate what is currently attributable to BIF from that which cannot be associated with this kind of intellectual functioning. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we have conducted a review of the literature about BIF. The results suggest that this condition is still associated with mental retardation, and only a few studies have focused specifically on this condition.

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