Clinic Websites Research Articles

Disparities between online assisted reproduction patient education for same-sex and heterosexual couples

Does the prevalence of online education in fertility center websites differ for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) couples compared to online education for heterosexual couples? This review of fertility center websites showed that the majority of websites with patient education for heterosexual couples do not have similar materials for LGBT couples. In order to have biologically related children, LGBT individuals or couples utilize assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Fertility clinic websites provide online education to familiarize patients with the different ART procedures; however, no studies have examined the prevalence of educational information for LGBT couples compared to information for heterosexual couples utilizing ART. This website review evaluatedCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-reported fertility center websites. Websites were reviewed in 2014 using the latest 2011 CDC report, and reviewed again in 2015 with the latest 2013 CDC report. Patient education information was coded using categories determined after a sample review, and differences were analyzed with χ(2) tests, with P-values calculated with Fisher's exact test. In 2014, 31.1% (121) of 389 websites with information for heterosexual couples also contained information for LGBT couples. In 2015, the number of fertility centers with information for LGBT couples increased by 52.9% to 185 (P <0.001) of 407 (45.5%) fertility center websites. However, the majority of fertility clinic websites (54.5%) with information for heterosexual couples still do not include information specific to LGBT couples. The lack of online information on fertility center websites may not directly reflect the quality of care LGBT individuals or couples receive in the clinic, and the effect of this absence of online information on the clinical experiences of LGBT patients is unknown. These findings add to the growing body of work showing disparities in the treatment of LGBT persons compared to the overall population. To overcome these discrepancies, healthcare providers should adapt their practice to include this growing and underserved patient population. Funding was provided by the Medical Student Summer Research Scholarship, Barbur Khalique Foundation. There are no competing interests.

Systematic Readability Analysis of Medical Texts on Websites of German University Clinics for General and Abdominal Surgery

Background: Besides the function as one of the main contact points, websites of hospitals serve as medical information portals. As medical information texts should be understood by any patients independent of the literacy skills and educational level, online texts should have an appropriate structure to ease understandability. Materials and Methods: Patient information texts on websites of clinics for general surgery at German university hospitals (n = 36) were systematically analysed. For 9 different surgical topics representative medical information texts were extracted from each website. Using common readability tools and 5 different readability indices the texts were analysed concerning their readability and structure. The analysis was furthermore stratified in relation to geographical regions in Germany. Results: For the definite analysis the texts of 196 internet websites could be used. On average the texts consisted of 25 sentences and 368 words. The reading analysis tools congruously showed that all texts showed a rather low readability demanding a high literacy level from the readers. Conclusion: Patient information texts on German university hospital websites are difficult to understand for most patients. To fulfill the ambition of informing the general population in an adequate way about medical issues, a revision of most medical texts on websites of German surgical hospitals is recommended.

Unorthodox alternative therapies marketed to treat Lyme disease.

Some patients with medically unexplained symptoms or alternative medical diagnoses suspect that they chronically suffer from the tick-borne infection Lyme disease. These patients are commonly targeted by providers of alternative therapies. This study was designed to identify and characterize the range of unorthodox alternative therapies advertised to patients with a diagnosis of Lyme disease. Internet searches using the Google search engine were performed to identify the websites of clinics and services that marketed nonantimicrobial therapies for Lyme disease. We subsequently used the PubMed search engine to identify any scientific studies evaluating such treatments for Lyme disease. Websites were included in our review so long as they advertised a commercial, nonantimicrobial product or service that specifically mentioned utility for Lyme disease. Websites with patient testimonials (such as discussion groups) were excluded unless the testimonial appeared as marketing on a commercial site. More than 30 alternative treatments were identified, which fell into several broad categories: these included oxygen and reactive oxygen therapy; energy and radiation-based therapies; nutritional therapy; chelation and heavy metal therapy; and biological and pharmacological therapies ranging from certain medications without recognized therapeutic effects on Borrelia burgdorgeri to stem cell transplantation. Review of the medical literature did not substantiate efficacy or, in most cases, any rationale for the advertised treatments. Providers of alternative therapies commonly target patients who believe they have Lyme disease. The efficacy of these unconventional treatments for Lyme disease is not supported by scientific evidence, and in many cases they are potentially harmful.

An Examination of Scope, Completeness, Credibility, and Readability of Health, Medical, and Nutritional Information on the Internet: A Comparative Study of Wikipedia, WebMD, and the Mayo Clinic Websites

An Examination of Scope, Completeness, Credibility, and Readability of Health, Medical, and Nutritional Information on the Internet: A Comparative Study of Wikipedia, WebMD, and the Mayo Clinic Websites

ICT 확산과 성형외과의 강남구 집중화 현상사이의 종단적 연관성 분석-웹 속성을 중심으로

ICT의 확산과 함께 물리적 공간에서의 집중화 현상이 일어났는데 바로 성형외과 의원의 강남구 집중이다. 본 연구는 ICT의 확산과 물리적 공간에서의 집중화가 연관성이 있는지 알아보기 위하여 강남구의 성형외과 의원 집중화에 초점을 맞추어 종단적으로 검증했다. 이를 위하여 2006년부터 2011년까지 5년 동안 총 401개 샘풀을 조사하였다. 강남구 성형외과 의원의 웹 사이트와 타 지역 성형외과 의원의 웹 사이트의 동질성을 비교하였다. 분석방법으로는 다변량 판별분석을 사용하였다. 분석결과, 강남구의 성형외과 웹 사이트는 5년 동안 타 지역과 유의하게 같지 않았다. 그러므로 ICT의 확산과 성형외과의 지역적 집중화는 서로 연관성이 있다고 결론지을 수 있었다. The concentration phenomenon in physical space has taken place along with the proliferation of ICT in South Korea, especially the concentration in Gangnam_Gu district of plastic surgery clinics. In this study, we examine longitudinally whether the proliferation of ICT is related with the concentration in the physical space: focused plastic surgery clinics in Gangnam_Gu district. To do this, we extend the previous study(Cho and Choi, 2012). We examine the homogeneity between websites of plastic surgery clinics in Gangnam_Gu and those besides Gangnam_Gu plastic surgery's website. Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) technique is mainly used for this analysis. The 401 sample websites in 5 years from 2006 to 2011 are mainly investigated. As a result, plastic surgery websites in Gangnam_Gu are not homogeneous than those of elsewhere with significance during 5 years consistently. Therefore, we can conclude that the expansion of ICT has an association with the spatial concentration of plastic surgery in Gangnam_Gu.

Assessment of society for assisted reproductive technology (SART) fertility clinic websites for male infertility information and resources

Assessment of society for assisted reproductive technology (SART) fertility clinic websites for male infertility information and resources

Infertility and the internet: ethical concerns in medical marketing

With an increasing number of patients seeking medical information on the Internet, there are concerns about information quality and content on patient-oriented websites. We sought to assess ethical issues related to information presented by fertility clinic websites, and evaluated them for completeness and adherence to ASRM guidelines.

Third-party reproduction and the internet: an assessment of society for assisted reproductive technology (SART) fertility clinic websites

Third-party reproduction and the internet: an assessment of society for assisted reproductive technology (SART) fertility clinic websites

What is the quality of information on social oocyte cryopreservation provided by websites of Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology member fertility clinics?

To evaluate adequacy and adherence to American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines of internet information provided by Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)-affiliated clinics regarding social oocyte cryopreservation (SOC). Systematic evaluation of websites of all SART member fertility clinics. The internet. None. All websites offering SOC services were scored using a 0-13 scale, based on 10 questions designed to assess website quality and adherence to the ASRM/SART guidelines. The websites were analyzed independently by two authors. Whenever disagreement occurred, a third investigator determined the score. Scores defined website quality as excellent, ≥9; moderate, 5-8; or poor, ≤4 points. Of the 387 clinics registered as SART members, 200 offered oocyte cryopreservation services for either medical or social reasons; 147 of these advertised SOC. The average website scores of those clinics offering SOC was 3.4 ± 2.1 (range, 2-11) points. There was no significant difference in scores between private versus academic clinics or clinics performing more or less than 500 cycles per year. The majority of the websites do not follow the SART/ASRM guidelines for SOC, indicating that there is a need to improve the type and quality of information provided on SOC by SART member websites.

Measuring reproductive tourism through an analysis of Indian ART clinic Websites

Objectives:India is fast becoming the most prominent player in the global industry of reproductive tourism, in which infertile people cross international borders to seek assisted reproduction technologies. This study was conducted to better understand the extent and manner in which Indian clinics seek foreign clients.Methods:A systematic search of official Indian assisted reproduction technologies clinic Websites was undertaken, and instances noted where foreign clients were overtly targeted, and where maternal surrogacy was overtly offered.Results:A total of 159 clinics with Web addresses were identified, though only 78 had functioning Websites. All were published in English, with the majority clustered in the states of Maharashtra (14) and Gujarat (9). Of the 78 functioning Websites, 53 (68%) featured some mention of maternal surrogacy services, and 42 (54%) made overt overtures to foreign clients. Qualitative appeals to foreigners included instructions for international adoption, visa application, and the legal parental disposition of the surrogate. All Maharashtran clinic Websites that mentioned surrogacy also overtly featured reproductive tourism. Preimplantation diagnosis services were not offered disproportionately by clinics mentioning reproductive tourism.Conclusions:Based upon clinic online profiles, reproductive tourism comprises a substantial fraction of India’s assisted reproduction technologies clinics’ business focus, clustering around its most tourist-friendly locales, and surrogacy may be a strong motivator for international clientele.

Recruiting egg donors online: an analysis of in vitro fertilization clinic and agency websites' adherence to American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines

To examine compliance with ethical guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) regarding trait-based payment variation, presentation of risks, and minimum recruitment age. In June 2010, we systematically examined 207 websites, of which 102 were egg donor agency or IVF clinic websites that both recruited online and displayed compensation amounts. The Internet. None. Not applicable. Mention of increased payment for particular donor traits, recruitment age less than 21 years, noting risks to donors. Of the 102 sites, considerable numbers were noncompliant with ASRM's guidelines that prohibit varying compensation based on a donor's traits (34%), and recommend an age of 21 years or older (41%), and presentation of risks alongside compensation (56%). Trait-based payment variation was associated with being an agency rather than a clinic, location in the West, not being endorsed by ASRM or Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), and referring to ASRM's guidelines about compensation. Of sites mentioning traits, prior donation success was the most commonly paid for trait (64%). Our data, the first to systematically analyze agency and clinic websites reveal that many do not follow ASRM's guidelines. These data have critical implications for policy, practice, and research, suggesting needs for consideration of possible changes in guidelines, and/or improvements in compliance and monitoring by ASRM or others.

Excluding lesbian and single women? An analysis of U.S. fertility clinic websites

Synopsis U.S. fertility services are concentrated in a private medical market. Research has examined disparities in access to these services by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, but has often overlooked access by marital status and sexual orientation. Some conclude that the private market has reduced all barriers except economic ones; others are more critical, noting that inequality still exists for lesbian and single women. To assess clinic receptivity to serving lesbian and single women, I conducted a content analysis of U.S. fertility clinic websites. Most clinics (89.8%) officially accepted single women, according to data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Yet, less than one-third displayed explicit information on their websites; only 10% displayed non-discriminatory statements. Not all website references were inclusive of both groups of women. Findings suggest that clinics may continue to intentionally or unintentionally gatekeep in subtle ways by maintaining a partnered, heterosexual framework of reproduction.

IPA를 이용한 의료관광선택속성 연구

본 연구는 의료관광선택속성의 중요도 및 성취도 분석을 통해 마케터들이 의료관광객들의 만족도를 높이기 위한 전략적인 수립에 유용한 시사점을 제공하고자 하였고 의료관광활성화를 위한 관광정책의 기초자료를 제공하고자 하였다. 이에 방한일본인 의료관광객을 대상으로 자료를 수집하여 대응표본 T-test를 실시하였다. 또한 요인분석을 통하여 편의성, 서비스품질, 차별성, 접근성의 4가지 요인을 도출하였으며 IPA(Importance-Performance Analysis)기법을 이용하여 집중(I사분면), 유지(II사분면), 저순위(III사분면), 과잉(IV사분면)의 항목들을 도출하였다. 의료관광선택속성에 대한 IP분석결과 가장 집중해야할 노력 집중영역에는 예약수속신속성, 정보시스템의 용이 등으로 나타났다. 이는 중요도는 높은데 성취도가 낮은 항목으로 의료관광객을 대상으로 개선되어야 할 요인 중 가장 우선순위가 되어야 할 부문으로 집중적인 관리 및 운영이 필요함을 시사한다. 따라서 예약과 수속절차에 있어서 일본어가 가능한 직원의 배치가 필요함을 나타내며 직원교육 시 병원에서 필요한 기본 일본어 교육 등을 통해 이러한 점을 집중적으로 보완해야 할 필요가 있음을 알 수 있다. 병원웹사이트를 운영함에 있어서도 수요자들이 원하는 정보를 다양한 방법으로 접근 가능하게 하고 일본인 의료관광객들에 대한 온라인 상담 또한 신속하고 원만하게 이루어질 수 있도록 다양한 방안이 모색되어져야한다. The objectives of this research are: to provide fundamental data for tourism policy and investigate medical tourism attributes by IPA(Importance-Performance Analysis) to attract Japanese medical tourists to Korea. Utilizing Japanese medical tourists as subjects of inquiry, this study evaluated the importance of medical tourism selection attributes and the rate at which these attributes were performed. Consequently, this study deduced 'convenience, service quality, differentiation, approximation' factors by factor analysis as well as the ranking among each selection attributes using T-test. The importance-performance analysis showed 'Concentrate Here' in quadrant I, 'Keep up the Good Work' in quadrant II, 'Low Priority' in quadrant III and 'Possible Overkill' in quadrant IV. The results show that "Concentrate Here" part in quadrant I is reservation procedure rapidity and information system simplicity. This means that these attributes are very important but they indicate low performance. Thus, concentration among tourism managers should be focused along these attributes. The study, then, suggests that employee who speaks Japanese fluently should be arranged during reservation procedure. Furthermore, Japanese class should become mandatory during basic employee training to improve reservation procedure rapidity. Moreover, clinic websites should concentrate on accessibility of Japanese users in such a way that they can consult their needs on line. Finally, managers should find diverse ways to bring about good service rapidly and conveniently.

Supported by science?: What Canadian naturopaths advertise to the public

BackgroundThe increasing popularity of complementary and alternative medicines in Canada has led to regulatory reforms in Ontario and British Columbia. Yet the evidence for efficacy of these therapies is still a source of debate. Those who are supportive of naturopathic medicine often support the field by claiming that the naturopathic treatments are supported by science and scientific research.MethodsTo compare provinces that are regulated and unregulated, we examined the websites of 53 naturopathic clinics in Alberta and British Columbia to gain a sense of the degree to which the services advertised by naturopaths are science based.ResultsThere were very few differences between the provinces in terms of the types of services offered and conditions treated. Many of the most common treatments--such as homeopathy, chelation and colon cleanses--are viewed by the scientific community to be of questionable value and have no scientific evidence of efficacy beyond placebo.ConclusionsA review of the therapies advertised on the websites of clinics offering naturopathic treatments does not support the proposition that naturopathic medicine is a science and evidence-based practice.

Response to Robert G. Resta Commentary (Unprepared, Understaffed, and Unplanned: Thoughts on the Practical Implications of Discovering New Breast and Ovarian Cancer Causing Genes)

Response to Robert G. Resta Commentary (Unprepared, Understaffed, and Unplanned: Thoughts on the Practical Implications of Discovering New Breast and Ovarian Cancer Causing Genes)

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis on in vitro fertilization clinic websites: presentations of risks, benefits and other information

To examine information on preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) presented on IVF clinic websites. We systematically sampled every third IVF clinic on the 2004 Centers for Disease Control provider list. The Internet. None. None. Benefits, risks, and other types of information mentioned regarding PGD. Of 135 sites examined, 88.1% had websites, and 70% mentioned PGD, of which 27% were university- or hospital-based and 63% were private clinics. Sites mentioning PGD listed uses and benefits of PGD far more than the risks involved. Of these sites, 76% described testing for single-gene diseases, but fewer mentioned risks of missing target diagnoses (35%) or risks for loss of embryo (18%), and 14% described PGD as new or controversial. Private clinics were more likely than other programs to be on either the East or West Coast, list certain PGD risks (e.g., diagnostic error), note that PGD was new or controversial, reference source of PGD information, provide accuracy rates of genetic testing of embryos, and offer gender selection for social reasons. Most IVF clinics advertise PGD online, but the scope and quality of information about it varies widely, emphasizing benefits while minimizing risks. Clinics and patients may benefit from more thorough and consistent presentation of PGD, drawing on available evidence to best provide a realistic portrayal of PGD.

The use of biased language and inaccurate information about male factor infertility on fertility clinic websites in the United States

The use of biased language and inaccurate information about male factor infertility on fertility clinic websites in the United States

Power is Only Skin Deep: An Institutional Ethnography of Nurse-Driven Outpatient Psoriasis Treatment in the Era of Clinic Web Sites

We present an institutional ethnography of hospital-based psoriasis day treatment in the context of evaluating readiness to supplement services and support with a new web site. Through observation, interviews and a critical consideration of documents, forms and other textually-mediated discourses in the day-to-day work of nurses and physicians, we come to understand how the historical gender-determined power structure of nurses and physicians impacts nurses' work. On the one hand, nurses' work can have certain social benefits that would usually be considered untenable in traditional healthcare: nurses as primary decision-makers, nurses as experts in the treatment of disease, physicians as secondary consultants, and patients as co-facilitators in care delivery processes. However, benefits seem to have come at the nurses' expense, as they are required to maintain a cloak of invisibility for themselves and for their workplace, so that the Centre appears like all other outpatient clinics, and the nurses do not enjoy appropriate economic recognition. Implications for this negotiated invisibility on the implementation of new information systems in healthcare are discussed.

Assessment of United States fertility clinic websites according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)/Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) guidelines

To evaluate SART-member fertility clinic websites for their compliance with the 2004 ASRM/SART guidelines for advertising (which is deemed mandatory for clinic membership), to survey the general characteristics of the websites, and to assess differences between academic and private clinic websites. Cross-sectional evaluation. The Internet. None. None. Eleven objective criteria based on 2004 ASRM/SART guidelines for advertising and eight objective criteria for general characteristics of fertility clinic websites. All 384 SART-registered clinics were evaluated; 289 (75.3%) had functional websites (211 private, 78 academic). Success rates were published on 51% of websites (117 private, 31 academic), the majority of which were private clinics (p=.025). The percentage of fertility clinic websites adhering to ASRM/SART guidelines was low in all categories (ranging from 2.8%-54.5% in private centers and 1.3%-37.2% in academic centers). No statistically significant difference was found in the services offered at private versus academic clinics. A significant proportion of SART-member fertility clinics, both private and academic, that have websites are not following the ASRM/SART guidelines for advertising. Increased dissemination and awareness of the guidelines is warranted.

Assessment of Fertility Clinic Websites in the United States

Due to the rapid advance, adoption, and accessibility of the Internet, many fertility clinics have created websites presenting their services as a means of attracting more patients (classic advertising model). To prevent unfair representations, per Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommendations, SART/ASRM published guidelines for advertising in May 2004, with adherence to these guidelines being a requirement for SART membership. Our objective was to objectively examine the website content of SART-member clinics, and to look for differences between academic and private clinics.