Consumer Health Information Research Articles

Harnessing the Power of Scientists and Livestreaming: Health Information Outreach in a Medical Library

ABSTRACTOver the last two decades, medical libraries have shifted from being careful suppliers of health information for consumers and patients to taking on prominent roles in outreach initiatives. The emerging livestreaming technology provides opportunities for medical libraries to disseminate health information and facilitate dialogues between health professionals and the public. This article presents a case study of Fudan University Medical Library's innovative approach to health information outreach through livestreaming. By leveraging the expertise of health professionals and embracing the livestreaming technologies, the library successfully engaged a broad audience, surpassing the limitations of traditional outreach methods. Based on the case, the article discusses the transformative potential of livestreaming in reshaping health information outreach and promoting health.

Evaluating Large Language Learning Models’ Accuracy and Reliability in Addressing Consumer Health Queries

Individuals with no medical background or training may turn to a variety of resources when in need of health-related information. One new potential source of information is large language models (LLMs). This article describes a preliminary assessment of the accuracy and reliability of several of these models when used to obtain consumer health information. The references provided by the LLM’s for each query are also examined for reliability based on the source of information.

Doctoral Student Perspectives of Support for Seeking Mental Healthcare On‐Campus: Preliminary Findings

ABSTRACTEven as the number of doctoral students reporting mental health challenges continues to grow, many students who experience significant mental distress do not seek treatment for these concerns. To explore this phenomenon, thirty semi‐structured interviews were conducted with doctoral students at a large U.S. public university. This poster reports on a candidate theme from a larger qualitative analysis that explored the barriers doctoral students face when seeking mental healthcare on‐campus. Insights from the theme “minimal institutional support” are presented here, and discussed with respect to health literacy, information marginalization, and consumer health information justice.

Consumer Health Information Resources for Autistic Adults

Despite there being significantly more autistic adults than autistic children, few online consumer health information resources address their information needs. Additionally, many resources that do exist focus on treatments for autism, rather than for health issues that disproportionately affect autistic people. Part of this problem stems from a lack of understanding of autism and autistic people. However, several Autistic self-advocacy organizations and universities have created resources based on the health information needs of autistic adults. This paper introduces several of these resources, which may not be familiar to librarians.

Effects of Health-related Deepfakes on Misperceptions: Moderating Effects of Issue Relevance and Accuracy Motivation

ABSTRACT Among its many applications, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to manipulate audiovisual content for malicious intents. Such manipulations – which are commonly known as deepfakes – present a significant obstacle to maintaining truth in sectors that serve the public interest, and it is necessary to take proactive fact-checking actions to respond to the threat they pose. The current study conducted an online experiment focusing on the topic of cancer prevention. In this experiment, we further examined the influence of individual differences, such as issue relevance and motns, in health information consumption. When compared to textual disinformation, health-related audiovisual deepfakes were found to have a significant effect on increasing misperceptions but no such effect on fact-checking intentions. We also found that exposure to such deepfakes discouraged individuals with high issue relevance from engaging in fact-checking. Deepfakes were also shown to have a particularly potent effect on increasing misperceptions among individuals with high (illusory) accuracy motivations. These findings underscore the need for increased awareness regarding the detrimental effects of health deepfakes in particular and the urgent importance of further elucidating individual variations to ultimately develop more comprehensive approaches to combat deepfakes.

Sharing Consumer Health Information in Florida: Understanding Challenges to Navigating Health Care Library Organization Collaboration

ABSTRACT In 2019, the Florida Health Sciences Library Association (FHSLA) and the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, Inc. (TBLC) joined together to increase awareness of reliable vetted health information resources for Florida residents. FHSLA, composed of approximately 75 academic/health sciences/hospital librarians, contacted TBLC, composed of public librarians and various library personnel in Florida, to explore opportunities for their members to work together and network through monthly health-focused webinars. This article describes their collaborative initiative.

Decoding patterns: the crucial role of social media in health information consumption and user dynamics among the general population

Decoding patterns: the crucial role of social media in health information consumption and user dynamics among the general population

Are the Websites of the Dentistry Faculties in Turkey Adequate for Informing Pediatric Patients?

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality and readability of information provided by the websites of the Department of Pedodontics in the Dentistry Faculties of State Universities (SU) and Foundation Based Universities (FBU) in Turkey for pediatric patients. Method: All dentistry faculties in Turkey were identified through the Council of Higher Education database and classified as public and FBU. The websites of the faculties were accessed via the Google search engine, and the information pages of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry prepared for the patients were evaluated according to the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), and Atesman Readability Formula. Results: No significant differences were observed among universities in terms of DISCERN scores (p=0.05), except in Section 1 (p0.05), and no significant differences were found between universities on the JAMA benchmark scale (p>0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was determined that the quality and readability of information on websites prepared by the Faculty of Dentistry in Turkey for parents of pediatric patients are low. It is recommended that information on university websites, which are official institutions that closely follow scientific developments and are preferred by parents of patients for information purposes, should be checked with appropriate evaluation tools in terms of quality and readability.

How reliable is the artificial intelligence product large language model ChatGPT in orthodontics?

To evaluate the reliability of information produced by the artificial intelligence-based program ChatGPT in terms of accuracy and relevance, as assessed by orthodontists, dental students, and individuals seeking orthodontic treatment. Frequently asked and curious questions in four basic areas related to orthodontics were prepared and asked in ChatGPT (Version 4.0), and answers were evaluated by three different groups (senior dental students, individuals seeking orthodontic treatment, orthodontists). Questions asked in these basic areas of orthodontics were about: clear aligners (CA), lingual orthodontics (LO), esthetic braces (EB), and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The answers were evaluated by the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN) scale. The total mean DISCERN score for answers on CA for students was 51.7 ± 9.38, for patients was 57.2 ± 10.73 and, for orthodontists was 47.4 ± 4.78 (P = .001). Comparison of GQS scores for LO among groups: students (3.53 ± 0.78), patients (4.40 ± 0.72), and orthodontists (3.63 ± 0.72) (P < .001). Intergroup comparison of ChatGPT evaluations about TMD was examined in terms of the DISCERN scale, with the highest value given in the patients group (57.83 ± 11.47) and lowest value in the orthodontist group (45.90 ± 11.84). When information quality evaluation about EB was examined, it GQS scores were >3 in all three groups (students: 3.50 ± 0.78; patients: 4.17 ± 0.87; orthodontists: 3.50 ± 0.82). ChatGPT has significant potential in terms of usability for patient information and education in the field of orthodontics if it is developed and necessary updates are made.

How qualified is online information regarding space maintainers? A content-quality and readability analysis

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability, quality, and readability of information regarding space maintainers on English websites using different scales. Materials and Methods: The selected search terms 'space maintainer', 'band and loop', 'distal shoe space maintainer', 'nance appliance', and 'lingual arch' were searched by four search engines (Yahoo, Bing, Yandex, and Google), and 992 websites were recorded. The websites were evaluated using the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) instruments. Results: Among the 90 websites included in the study, Professional Health Organization (PHO) websites had significantly higher DISCERN scores in all sections and total (p0.05). Only 3 (3.3%) provided all JAMA criteria and PHO websites scored significantly higher than the others in almost all categories (p

Quality of Information About Kidney Stones from Artificial Intelligence Chatbots.

Introduction: Kidney stones are common and morbid conditions in the general population with a rising incidence globally. Previous studies show substantial limitations of online sources of information regarding prevention and treatment. The objective of this study was to examine the quality of information on kidney stones from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots. Methods: The most common online searches about kidney stones from Google Trends and headers from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website were used as inputs to four AI chatbots (ChatGPT version 3.5, Perplexity, Chat Sonic, and Bing AI). Validated instruments were used to assess the quality (DISCERN instrument from 1 low to 5 high), understandability, and actionability (PEMAT, from 0% to 100%) of the chatbot outputs. In addition, we examined the reading level of the information and whether there was misinformation compared with guidelines (5 point Likert scale). Results: AI chatbots generally provided high-quality consumer health information (median DISCERN 4 out of 5) and did not include misinformation (median 1 out of 5). The median understandability was moderate (median 69.6%), and actionability was moderate to poor (median 40%). Responses were presented at an advanced reading level (11th grade; median Flesch-Kincaid score 11.3). Conclusions: AI chatbots provide generally accurate information on kidney stones and lack misinformation; however, it is not easily actionable and is presented above the recommended reading level for consumer health information.

Assessing the Quality and Reliability of Videos Related to Fibromyalgia on TikTok: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Introduction Fibromyalgia, characterized by chronic musculoskeletal pain and associated symptoms, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. While social media platforms like TikTok have emerged as popular sources of health information, their variable content quality necessitates critical evaluation. This study aimed to assess the quality and reliability of TikTok videos related to fibromyalgia, thereby enhancing the understanding of their impact on patient education and self-management. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in June 2024, which analyzed 150 TikTok videos using search terms like "Fibromyalgia", "Fibromyalgia Symptoms", and "Fibromyalgia Treatment". Videos were evaluated for inclusion based on relevance and language (English), by employing the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN) score for assessment. Statistical analysis was performed by using IBM SPSS Statistics v21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The Kruskall-Wallis test was employed, and a p-valueless than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results Of the 150 videos initially reviewed, 96 (64%) met the inclusion criteria. Content categories included disease description (34, 35.42%), symptoms (81, 84.38%), management (64, 66.67%), and personal experiences (63, 65.63%). The videos were uploaded by doctors (8, 8.33%), patients (63, 65.63%), healthcare workers ( 7, 7.29%), and others (18, 18.75%). Mean GQS scores varied significantly by uploader type: doctors (4.63 ± 0.52), healthcare workers (3.43 ± 0.79), patients (2.37 ± 0.81), and others (2.11 ± 0.47) (p<0.001). DISCERN scores followed a similar trend: doctors (3.88 ± 0.64), healthcare workers (2.14 ± 1.46), patients (1.08 ± 0.27), and others (1.61 ± 0.50) (p<0.001). Conclusions TikTok serves as a pivotal platform for fibromyalgia-related discourse, predominantly shaped by patient-generated content. However, even though it provides insights into symptoms and management strategies, gaps exist in comprehensive medical guidance and preventive measures. The study underscores the critical role of healthcare professionals in enhancing content reliability and educational value on social media. Future research should explore cultural and linguistic diversity to broaden the accessibility and relevance of health information on platforms like TikTok.

Reliability and quality of videos available on YouTube™ on bruxism

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and quality of YouTube™ videos about bruxism. Methods: Google Trends was used to determine the widely used search term on YouTube™. A playlist was created(N=100) and the number of views(NV), like/dislike(G/NG), presenter, treatments, interaction rate(TI) and views(VZ), the quality criteria for consumer health information(DISCERN) and the global quality scale index(GQS) were used. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated. Results: 88 videos with NV 30572.72 and G/NG 1153.76/18.31; 68(77.3%) presenters were dentists. The most cited treatment was muscle-relaxing plates; TI was 6.4 and VZ was 3658.5. Reliability was 2.82(±0.852); 21 (23.9%) were of good/excellent quality. A weak correlation between reliability/NV(rs=-0.254), the GQS/likes(rs=0.270) and the GQS/dislikes(rs=0.292). Conclusion: Content about bruxism on YouTube™ is diverse. Most of the content is presented by dentists. The information provided is moderately reliable.

Is YouTube a Useful Source of Information on Pressure Injuries? A Content, Reliability, and Quality Analysis.

To evaluate the comprehensiveness, reliability, and quality of YouTube videos related to pressure injuries. The authors searched YouTube for relevant videos using the keywords "pressure injury", "pressure ulcer", "bedsore", "pressure injury etiology", "pressure injury classification", "pressure injury prevention", "pressure injury risk assessment", and "pressure injury management". Of the 1,023 videos screened, 269 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. For each video, the authors recorded the number of views, likes, and comments; the length; and the video upload source. The Comprehensiveness Assessment Tool for Pressure Injuries, the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information score, and the Global Quality Score were used to evaluate the comprehensiveness, reliability, and quality of the videos. The mean length of the 269 videos was 6.22 ± 4.62 minutes (range, 0.18-19.47 minutes). Only 14.5% of the videos (n = 39) were uploaded by universities or professional organizations. Most videos included information about PI prevention (69.5%), followed by PI management (27.9%). The mean comprehensiveness score was 2.33 ± 1.32 (range, 1-5). Nearly half of the videos (49.1%) were not reliable. However, the quality of 43.9% of the videos was somewhat useful. The Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information mean scores of universities/professional organizations (P < .001), nonprofit healthcare professionals (P = .015), and independent health information channel videos (P = .026) were higher than the mean score of medical advertising/profit companies channel videos. This study draws attention to the need for more comprehensive, high-quality, and reliable videos about PIs. It is important that videos on YouTube provide comprehensive and reliable information for patients, caregivers, students, or providers seeking information on PI prevention, assessment, and management.

Readability and Information Quality in Cancer Information From a Free vs Paid Chatbot

The mainstream use of chatbots requires a thorough investigation of their readability and quality of information. To identify readability and quality differences in information between a free and paywalled chatbot cancer-related responses, and to explore if more precise prompting can mitigate any observed differences. This cross-sectional study compared readability and information quality of a chatbot's free vs paywalled responses with Google Trends' top 5 search queries associated with breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancers from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2023. Data were extracted from the search tracker, and responses were produced by free and paywalled ChatGPT. Data were analyzed from December 20, 2023, to January 15, 2024. Free vs paywalled chatbot outputs with and without prompt: "Explain the following at a sixth grade reading level: [nonprompted input]." The primary outcome measured the readability of a chatbot's responses using Flesch Reading Ease scores (0 [graduate reading level] to 100 [easy fifth grade reading level]). Secondary outcomes included assessing consumer health information quality with the validated DISCERN instrument (overall score from 1 [low quality] to 5 [high quality]) for each response. Scores were compared between the 2 chatbot models with and without prompting. This study evaluated 100 chatbot responses. Nonprompted free chatbot responses had lower readability (median [IQR] Flesh Reading ease scores, 52.60 [44.54-61.46]) than nonprompted paywalled chatbot responses (62.48 [54.83-68.40]) (P < .05). However, prompting the free chatbot to reword responses at a sixth grade reading level was associated with increased reading ease scores than the paywalled chatbot nonprompted responses (median [IQR], 71.55 [68.20-78.99]) (P < .001). Prompting was associated with increases in reading ease in both free (median [IQR], 71.55 [68.20-78.99]; P < .001)and paywalled versions (median [IQR], 75.64 [70.53-81.12]; P < .001). There was no significant difference in overall DISCERN scores between the chatbot models, with and without prompting. In this cross-sectional study, paying for the chatbot was found to provide easier-to-read responses, but prompting the free version of the chatbot was associated with increased response readability without changing information quality. Educating the public on how to prompt chatbots may help promote equitable access to health information.

Is YouTube a reliable source of information for temporomandibular joint ankylosis?

In the digital era, the internet is the go-to source of information, and patients often seek insights on medical conditions like TMJ ankylosis. YouTube, a popular platform, is widely used for this purpose. However, YouTube's lack of regulation means it can host unreliable content. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to assess the scientific quality of YouTube videos concerning TMJ ankylosis. This study analyzed 59 TMJ ankylosis-related videos. Two Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialists assessed these videos. Data on the video source, duration, upload date, the time elapsed since upload, total views, likes, dislikes and comments, Interaction index, and viewing rate were collected and analyzed. Video quality was assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN), comparing health professionals and non-health professionals. Health professional's videos were better in terms of GQS 3.21 ± 0.94 and DISCERN score 3.03 ± 0.75 as compared to the non-health professional videos GQS 3.0 ± 1.04, and DISCERN 2.81 ± 1.13. Health professional group videos had more reliability and better quality than the non-health professional group (p < 0.01). YouTube should not be relied on as a trustworthy source for high-quality and reliable information regarding TMJ ankylosis videos. Healthcare professionals must be prepared to address any ambiguous or misleading information and to prioritize building trustworthy relationships with patients through accurate diagnostic and therapeutic processes.

TikTok misinformation and user engagement in female pelvic floor conditions.

Social media platforms are increasingly utilized to distribute medical information. Our study emphasizes the need for accuracy in pelvic health education on social media and the involvement of female pelvic floor (FPF) specialistsin content creation. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the FPFTikTok videos with the highest engagement for quality of information and misinformation and investigated the relationship between misinformation and user engagement. We collected all TikTok videos on the USapp with hashtags related to FPFconditions, including 76 on pelvic organ prolapse, 323 on urinary tract infection, 84 on overactive bladder, and 972 on incontinence. The top 20 videos for each FPF condition were selected based on highest engagement, and 74 videos total met inclusion criteria. TikTok videos were scored with the validated DISCERN instrument for quality of consumer health information and a 5-point Likert scale for misinformation. The correlation between misinformation and user engagement was assessed. Our analysis revealed positive correlations among higher average misinformation scores and shares (r = 0.37, p < 0.001), likes (r = 0.23, p = 0.004), and overall engagement (r = 0.25, p = 0.002) in FPF TikTok videos as a group, likely driven by the #UTI category. Most TikTok videos (96%) had poor quality of information (DISCERN score < 3), and 18% of TikTok videos contained misinformation. The poor quality and prevalence of misinformation inFPF-relatedTikTok videos with the highest engagement raise concerns about the propagation of nonevidence-based health information.

Characteristics of youth's health keeping practices under the digitalization

The article discusses the problems of health keeping of modern Russian youth under the digitalization. Paying attention to the negative dynamics in the health of young Russians, the authors point out to form and promote a culture of health keeping among the younger generation. However, in order for the implemented measures to be effective, the authors propose to differentiate them taking into account the specifics of the perception of health and practices of caring for it among young people, which is associated with their distinction into two age groups within the framework of generational theory: zoomers and millennials. In this regard, the article presents the results of an empirical study conducted by the authors on the health conservation of Russian youth, which are depicted the characteristics of consumption and practices in the field of health among these age groups. As it states, both categories are quite conscious of their health status. The most common ways to stay healthy are proper nutrition, sleep patterns, and regular exercise. However, certain differences have been identified in the basic practices of caring for it as compared to the traditional model of a healthy lifestyle. Thus, self-tracking based on mobile applications, as well as digital consumption of health information in new media, is popular among zoomers. Millennials appear to be more committed to the primary source of health information, the medical community, which is also reflected in the need for regular health checkups. Based on the findings, a number of practical recommendations are proposed.

Analysis of Popular Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Content on TikTok.

Researchers used the TikTok platform to investigate the quality of select TikTokeducational content regarding gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). One hundred TikTok videos that fit the inclusion criteria were analyzed using DISCERN, a tool that evaluates the quality of consumer health information on the internet. There was no substantial difference in DISCERN scores between physicians and non-physician content creators. Nevertheless, both groups consistently scored low (<3) in areas such as providing sources of information, indicating the publication date of their sources, discussing treatment risks, and outlining potential consequences if no treatment is pursued.

Assessment of the Quality of Patient-Oriented Internet Information on Fluorescence Imaging in Surgery.

In the digital age, patients are increasingly turning to the Internet to seek medical information to aid in their decision-making process before undergoing medical treatments. Fluorescence imaging is an emerging technological tool that holds promise in enhancing intra-operative decision-making during surgical procedures. This study aims to evaluate the quality of patient information available online regarding fluorescence imaging in surgery and assesses whether it adequately supports informed decision-making. The term "patient information on fluorescence imaging in surgery" was searched on Google. The websites that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were assessed using 2 scoring instruments. DISCERN was used to evaluate the reliability of consumer health information. QUEST was used to assess authorship, tone, conflict of interest and complementarity. Out of the 50 websites identified from the initial search, 10 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Only two of these websites were updated in the last twoyears. The definition of fluorescence imaging was stated in only 50% of the websites. Although all websites mentioned the benefits of fluorescence imaging, none mentioned potential risks. Assessment by DISCERN showed that 30% of the websites were rated low and 70% were rated moderate. With QUEST, the websites demonstrated an average score of 62.5%. This study highlights the importance of providing patients with accurate and balanced information about medical technologies and procedures they may undergo. Fluorescence imaging in surgery is a promising technology that can potentially improve surgical outcomes. However, patients need to be well-informed about its benefits and limitations in order to make informed decisions about their healthcare.