HONcode Research Articles

Social media content analysis for nutraceuticals and glaucoma.

Google and various social media platforms have content on the therapeutic potential of nutritional supplements for glaucoma, but whether that information is evidence-based has not been analyzed. The current study explores such content for its quality. Criteria of search used were "glaucoma" and "vitamins" or "nutraceuticals" or "nutritional supplements". The first 30 search results on Google for every keyword combination were determined. The top 30 video results on Facebook Watch and YouTube for each keyword combination were selected. The initial 30 posts from Reddit and the top 30 Images on Google Images related to the keyword combination were also examined. Sixty-eight websites on Google, 75 Images from Google, 39 YouTube videos, 12 video results from Facebook Watch, and 19 posts from Reddit were identified and assessed for quality.The average Sandvik scores were 10.86 ± 2.6 (Google webpages), 10.08 ± 1.9 (YouTube videos), 10.62 ± 1.6 (Facebook Watch), and 10.26 ± 2.8 (Posts from Reddit). The average Risk Scores were 0.67 ± 0.9 (videos from YouTube), 0.49 ± 0.8 (webpages on Google), 0.33 ± 0.5 (videos from Facebook Watch), and 0.26 ± 0.5 (Reddit). The mean HON code scores were 5.15 ± 1.5 (YouTube), 6 ± 1.7 (Google webpages), 4.42 ± 1.1 (Facebook Watch), and 3.47 ± 1.8 (Reddit). Many patients who seek information online do not consult their physicians to verify the accuracy of their search results. Thus, with this changing trend, video and online medical content analysis has attracted interest. Search engines and social media platforms may serve as adjuncts for patient counseling in current care models by providing an online educational community. Compared to non-healthcare professionals, the healthcare professionals' information regarding nutraceuticals/nutritional supplements in glaucoma is of higher quality. Most HCPs do not recommend the use of dietary supplements as a complementary treatment for glaucoma, either because of inconclusive/insufficient data or due to contrasting studies that contradict each other. However, literature is building up with each passing day, to support nutritional supplementation as an integrative IOP-independent strategy for glaucoma management. The information provided by healthcare professionals is superior to that offered by non-healthcare professionals. Most HCPs advise against the use of nutritional supplements as an adjunct therapy for glaucoma, either because of inconclusive data or due to contrasting studies that contradict each other.

Quality of Internet-Based Information on COVID-19 and Dentistry

Aim: Dentists and their patients were at high risk for COVID-19 infection. As websites serve as a primary information source for many, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of information provided by websites regarding COVID-19 and dentistry. Materials and Methods: An online search was conducted on Google.com using the keywords ‘SARS CoV-2 and dentistry’, ‘COVID-19 and dentistry’ and ‘Coronavirus and dentistry’. The first 50 websites for each keyword were screened in incognito mode. After excluding duplicates, inaccessible and irrelevant websites, 88 websites remained for analysis. These websites were evaluated using the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HON code) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, which assess authorship, attribution, disclosure and currency of information. Descriptive statistical analyses, chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA were performed. Results: A total of 88 websites were found suitable for quality assessment. Only three of the websites had HON code accreditation. The mean JAMA benchmark score was 3.75 ± 0.7. The majority of the websites (62.5%) were academic, with a JAMA score of 3.84 ± 0.5. News and non-profit sites had the highest JAMA scores (4.0). Significant differences in JAMA scores were observed across different types of websites ( p < .05). Conclusions: The study found that the quality of websites providing information about COVID-19 and dentistry was generally high, especially among academic sites. This highlights the importance of high-quality online information to ensure that dentists and patients have access to accurate and reliable data during the pandemic.

Evaluation of the quality of Internet information on masseter botox injection for bruxism.

Botulinum toxin, commonly referred to as botox, is frequently used in facial aesthetics, but also has therapeutic applications in various medical and surgical conditions such as bruxism treatment. The aim of this research is to evaluate the information quality of only English resources available on the Internet regarding the use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of bruxism. The terms "Botox + Tooth Grinding" selected for this study were searched on the Internet using the Google Search Engine, and the URLs of the top 150 websites containing only English pages were recorded and examined. The websites were assessed using DISCERN tools, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark, and HONcode tools. The website readability evaluation involved utilizing the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL). A total of 130 websites met the inclusion criteria. The total mean DISCERN score (section 1 + section 2) for all websites was 39.75/75 (range: 15-67). The average FRES of all websites was 52.79, and the average FKGL score of all websites was 10.72. Internet blog websites had significantly higher DISCERN (Section1) scores than other websites (p= 0.007). Only one website had the HON code. Internet blog websites showed better compliance with JAMA (authorship and currency) benchmarks. No statistically significant difference was determined related to FRES and FKGL scores between groups (p> 0.05). There is moderate and difficult-to-read information on the Internet about masseter botox injection for bruxism. Relevant guidelines are needed to improve the quality of websites about botulinum toxin for the treatment of bruxism.

An Assessment of the Arabic-Language Informational Resources Available to Colon Cancer Patients Online

Background: The internet has become a primary source of health information, particularly for cancer patients. This study evaluated the quality of online health information related to colon cancer in Arabic. Objective: To assess the reliability, accountability, legitimacy, and readability of Arabic websites providing information on colon cancer. Methods: A search was conducted on major search engines using Arabic keywords related to colon cancer. After initial screening, 13 websites were selected for evaluation. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, DISCERN instrument and website certification (Health on the Net - HON code) were used for assessment. Readability was analyzed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Results: Non-government websites, particularly Wikipedia, msdmanuals.com, and primomedico.com, demonstrated higher compliance with JAMA benchmarks. Six websites scored high on the DISCERN instrument, indicating reliable treatment information. Only one website was HON-code certified. Readability analysis revealed that text comprehension is challenging for most websites. Conclusion: Private agencies and hospitals managed non-government websites generally outperformed government websites' reliability, quality, and readability. However, overall improvement in Arabic's online health information landscape is essential to enhance accessibility and credibility for colon cancer patients

Readability and credibility evaluation of most-visited health websites based on eBizMBA and Alexa global ranking

Introduction: Online health information is one of the most important and widely used sources of information. Currently, a significant number of individuals use the internet for health-related information to learn about health, disease, health promotion, and threats to their health.Material and Methods: This research examined the top 15 health websites based on their popularity in eBizMBA and Alexa rank from January to February 2022. A total of 30 health websites (15 from each category) were evaluated in terms of credibility by the use of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and health on the net foundation (HON) code. Also, the readability of the mentioned websites was evaluated by the use of four readability tools.Results: Most of the websites ranked by both Alexa and eBizMBA met the “Authority” and” Complementarity" criteria. When it comes to the readability of the 30 most visited health websites according to eBizMBA and Alexa analytics in the world, the analysis demonstrated that the readability of highly-ranked health websites was higher than the recommended level.Conclusion: Some of the websites had deficiencies according to the HONcode and JAMA criteria, and the average readability of the websites did not meet the gold standard. Despite the increasing use of the internet for medical information, these resources' poor quality and readability remain a barrier to informed decision-making of patients.

Is Arabic online patient-centered information about dental extraction trustworthy? An infodemiological study.

Assessment of the Arabic online patient-centered information is understudied. The study aims to assess the quality and readability of the Arabic web-based knowledge about dental extraction. The first 100 Arabic websites focusing on dental extraction were gathered using popular terms from Google, Bing, and Yahoo searches. These sites were organized and their quality was assessed using three key standards: the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, the DISCERN instrument, and the inclusion of the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HON code) seal. Additionally, the ease of reading of these websites was evaluated through various online readability indexes. Out of 300 initially reviewed websites on dental extraction in Arabic, 80 met the eligibility criteria. Nonprofit organizations were most common (41.3%), followed by university/medical centers (36.3%), and commercial entities (21.3%). Government organizations were minimally represented (1.3%). All websites were medically oriented, with 60% offering Q&A sections. Quality assessment showed moderate scores on the DISCERN instrument, with no site reaching the highest score. JAMA benchmarks were poorly met, and none had the HON code seal. Readability was generally high, with most sites scoring favorably on readability scales. The rapidly evolving online information about dental extraction lacks readability and quality and can spread misinformation. Creators should focus on clear, unbiased content using simple language for better public understanding.

Assessment of the Readability and Quality of Online Information for Patients and Their Families Regarding Schizophrenia.

To our knowledge, this is the first study that specifically aims to assess the readability and quality of online information about schizophrenia. The analysis is performed on 93 of 195 websites that appeared in an advanced Google search of the term "schizophrenia" performed on a single day. The websites were categorized as commercial, nonprofit, professional, and government. The websites were evaluated using the Health on the Net Foundation (HON) code certificate, DISCERN tool, and Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA ) benchmark criteria for quality and the Flesch Reading Ease Formula, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) Formula, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, and Gunning Fog indices for readability. A total of 21.5% of all websites had a HON code certificate, 50.5% were accepted as high quality ( JAMA score ≥3), and 25.8% reached the recommended readability level (FKGL ≤8). Only three websites scored at a fifth- to sixth-grade reading level. Commercial and government websites had significantly lower DISCERN scores. Commercial websites had significantly lower Flesch Reading Ease Score and FKGL score than nonprofit websites. In conclusion, the current findings indicate that the quality of online information on schizophrenia is generally acceptable, but the readability is insufficient. Website creators, physicians, and health authorities should be more sensitive to the readability of online information about schizophrenia, considering the poor cognitive capacity of the patients and the unique nature of the disease.

Quality and Readability Analysis of Online Information on First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fusion

Patients frequently turn to the internet to learn about their orthopedic procedures. This study evaluates the readability and quality of first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint fusion information found online. We evaluated websites based on classification, search term, readability, HON code, DISCERN score, Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria, and an author-created MTP fusion index (MFI). The average readability of websites was 8.48 ± 1.99, above the recommended sixth- or eighth-grade reading level. Almost half of all websites (48.98%) provided “poor” information. Keywords had no significant impact on the readability or quality of information. Academic/governmental websites had the highest quality of information, with the highest DISCERN and second highest MFI. Most websites (52.04%) were commercial and were the easiest to read, but had the second lowest DISCERN and MFI scores. Our results suggest that inappropriate information on the MTP joint fusion procedure is abundant online. Academic/governmental websites have the highest quality of information, but may be difficult for patients to comprehend. Many websites do have readable and relevant information. We recommend that physicians create a list of websites with accurate, relevant information for patients to circumvent the misinformation they may find while navigating and reading online.

How readable and quality are online patient education materials about Helicobacter pylori?: Assessment of the readability, quality and reliability.

This study aimed to examine the readability, reliability, quality, and content of patient education materials (PEM) on the Internet about "Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)." A search was conducted on March 14, 2023, using the keyword "H pylori" in the Google search engine. The readability of PEMs was assessed using the Flesch reading ease score, FKGL, simple measure of gobbledygook, and gunning fog readability formulas. The reliability and quality of the websites were determined using the Journal of American Medical Association score, health on the net foundation code of conduct, global quality score, and DISCERN score. A total of 93 patient education websites were included in the study. In the readability analysis of PEMs, we determined that the Flesch reading ease score was 49,73 (47,46-52,00) (difficult), the mean Flesch-Kincaid grade level and simple measure of gobbledygook were 9,69 (9,26-10,12) and 9,28 (8,96-9,61) years, respectively, and the mean gunning fog score was 12,47 (12,03-12,91) (very difficult). Most of the evaluated patient educational materials were commercial websites (n = 50, 53.8%). It was found that 16.1% of the websites were of high quality according to global quality score, 30.1% were HON code certified, and 23.7% of the websites were highly reliable according to Journal of American Medical Association scores. There was no statistically significant difference between website typologies and readability (P > .05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between website typologies and quality and reliability scores (P < .005). Compared to the sixth grade level recommended by the American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health, the readability of H pylori-related internet-based PEMs is quite high. On the other hand, the reliability and quality of the PEMs were determined as moderate to poor. PEMs for issues threatening public health should be prepared with attention to recommendations on readability.

Web-Based Information on the Treatment of Dental Hypomineralization.

To categorise and evaluate the quality and readability of the web-based information about the treatment of the variety of forms of dental hypomineralization. An internet search using two different search terms regarding treating dental hypomineralization was conducted using the Google search engine. The first 100 websites from each search were analysed. Data recorded included DISCERN instrument scores, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and the Health on the Net seal (HON). Flesch Reading Ease Scores (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook Index (SMOG), and the Coleman-Liau index were calculated to assess readability. A search for "Treatment of hypomineralized teeth" on Google yielded 48,500 results. After excluding irrelevant websites, only 25 were evaluated based on affiliation with universities/medical centers, non-profit organizations, commercial entities, or government agencies. The majority of the content was medical facts presented as text and visuals such as images and videos. The study found that the scores for questions about the benefits and risks of treatment were low, while alternative treatments had high scores. Only one website met the HON code criteria, and a minority of websites achieved JAMA benchmarks. The readability ratings varied across different tests used in the study. Most websites had university or medical center affiliation but only partially related to the specialty. Two-thirds of websites used images. The online information was inaccurate, poor quality, and hard to read for the average person. Dental professionals should be aware of this information's quality and work to improve it.

Reliability of Ahmed glaucoma valve surgical videos for educational purposes.

The use of video-based social media platforms is increasing among trainee residents, fellows, and practicing ophthalmologists. In this study, we objectively evaluate the quality of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation videos on open access, video-based internet platforms. Internet-based cross-sectional study. Not applicable. In this cross-sectional study, 23 websites publishing medical surgery training video content were queried using the keyword "Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation". The descriptive statistics of video parameters were noted, and the videos were assessed using established scoring systems-Sandvik, Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HON code), mDISCERN, and Global Quality Score (GQS) scores. Video Quality Score (VQS) was determined based on the 14 steps per the AGV implantation rubric. One hundred and nineteen videos were evaluated, and 35 were excluded. The total quality of all 84 videos according to their Sandvik, HON Code, GQS, DISCERN, and VQS scores was 11.79 ± 1.70 (excellent quality), 6.86 ± 0.75 (excellent quality), 3.97 ± 0.93 (good quality), 3.26 ± 0.66 (fair quality) and 11.45 ± 2.67 (good quality), respectively. No significant correlation was found between the descriptive parameters and video quality score. However, no significant correlation was found between the descriptive parameters and video quality score. The objective analysis showed that the video quality ranged from good to excellent. AGV implantation videos were sparse on exclusive ophthalmology surgical video portals. Therefore, more peer-reviewed videos following standardized rubric are needed on open-access surgical video platforms.

Reliability of open globe injury repair surgical videos on the internet for resident education

Introduction This study aimed to assess quality of surgical training videos for management of open globe injury (OGI) on online platforms. Material and Methods Twenty-three websites with surgical training videos were queried using the search keyword “open globe repair.” Video content characteristics and quality assessment scores using Sandvik score, Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HON code), mDISCERN scoring, and global quality score (GQS) were recorded. To evaluate the relevance of the surgical videos to the surgical procedure, steps were analyzed as per the Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric (OSCAR) for Open Globe Surgical Management. Results One hundred and twenty-three videos were evaluated, and 63 analyzed. Majority videos were uploaded by solitary ophthalmologists (53/63; 84.13%). Mean video quality score (VQS) and GIS scores were 6.55 ± 1.59 and 7.95 ± 1.39, respectively. Mean mDISCERN, GQS, HON Code and Sandvik scores for all the videos were 2.87 ± 1.07, 3.77 ± 1.08, 5.14 ± 1.67, 12.06 ± 1.84, respectively. Videos with background audio and descriptive subtitles had significantly better quality ( p &lt; 0.05). All Quality assessment scores showed a statistically significant ( p &lt; 0.000) positive correlation with each other. On linear regression analysis, number of video likes, comments and views had a significant ( p &lt; 0.05) positive relation with quality of video, whereas video length showed a negative relation with different scores. Conclusion Nearly two-thirds of surgical videos showing OGI repair had good quality assessment scores. Consensus guidelines should be developed to guide uploaders as regards the essential features required for good quality surgical videos using a standardized rubric.

Evaluation of accuracy, reliability, quality, and readability of online patient information materials on coccyx injury.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the websites containing "coccydynia, coccyx trauma or fracture" in terms of readability, reliability, accuracy, and quality. Searches for "coccydynia, coccyx trauma, coccyx fracture" were carried out in the 3 most used search engines in the USA: Google, Yahoo, and Bing in February 2022. A total of 141 websites were rated by 2 different neurosurgeons for the "Global Quality Score" and "Alexa Popularity Rank." 97.2% of the sites examined include the definition of the disease, 66% include the importance of the disease, 92.9% include the symptoms of the disease, 88.7% include the treatment of the disease, 78% include the signs of the disease, 77.3% include the mechanism of the disease It has been determined that the websites examined within the scope of the research have high global quality score (GQS) and APR and are enriched with images to a large extent.

Quality and readability of online information on hand osteoarthritis.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the quality and readability of web pages providing information about hand osteoarthritis using several authorized methods.Methods: A web page exploration was performed using the Google internet search engine. The three search terms, "hand osteoarthritis," "finger osteoarthritis," and "hand OA," were used and the top 100 ranked websites were selected and divided into six categories. The Health on the Net Foundation (HON) grade scale, an instrument for judging the quality of written consumer health information on treatment choice (DISCERN instrument), and the Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) score were used to evaluate the quality of each website. The Flesch-Kincaid reading ease (FRE) score, Flesch-Kincaid grade (FKG) level, Gunning-Fog index, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook grade level were used to evaluate website readability.Results: Among 300 websites, 57 websites were selected following exclusion criteria. News portal websites, including the online version of newspapers and periodicals, showed the highest score in all three quality evaluation tools. Only four websites were regarded as high-quality websites based on the HON grade scale (n = 3) and the EQIP score (n = 1). Each type of website showed an average FKG level higher than 7th grade and obtained an average FRE score of less than 80 points, indicating an inappropriate level for a layperson to read.Conclusions: The online information about hand osteoarthritis is low quality and difficult to read for the general public. There is a need to enhance the quality and readability of web-based information related to hand osteoarthritis for patients to obtain credible information and receive proper treatment for the disease.

Proximal Humerus Fracture: An Evaluation of the Readability and Value of Web-Based Knowledge.

BackgroundIn today’s scientifically developed world, the majority of patients use different websites to explore sophisticated and varied health knowledge. Consequently, healthcare specialists remain concerned that patients may be betrayed. Currently, there is a scarcity of information on the importance and legibility of online health data on proximal humerus fractures. This study aimed to assess the readability and value of existing web-based evidence regarding fractures of the proximal humerus.MethodologyA search of three keywords, namely, broken shoulder, proximal humerus fracture, and broken humerus, was performed using the top three internet search engines. The first five pages of every search browser were analyzed. After discarding duplicate websites, 80 websites were found to be suitable for the analysis. Website quality was scored using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and the DISCERN criteria. The presence or absence of the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HON code) certification and author characteristics were noted. The degree of readability was measured using six unique parameters, namely, the Automated Readability Index, Flesch Reading Ease Score, SMOG Index, Coleman-Liau index, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and Gunning-Fog Index.ResultsIn total, 80 specific websites were fit for evaluation and analysis. On the DISCERN tool, six (7.5%) websites revealed a high score. Only 20 websites fulfilled all four JAMA benchmark criteria. Of the total 80, only 17 were HON code-certified websites. Readability was variable but the majority was at the college level.ConclusionsThe most important result of this study is the low value, readability, and clarity of online testimony regarding proximal humerus fractures.

Quality of online information for the general public on familial hypercholesterolaemia

Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality and readability of web-based information on familial hypercholesterolaemia. Design, setting and methods: Internet searches using the terms ‘familial hypercholesterolemia’, ‘hypercholesterolemia’, ‘inherited high cholesterol’, ‘hereditary high cholesterol’ and ‘inherited high LDL’ were conducted with the Google, Yahoo! and Bing search engines using default settings during August 2021. The first 50 web links that appeared using each search engine were evaluated using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and DISCERN instrument for readability and the quality of the website. The LIDA tool was used to assess reliability and usability. Results: In all, 750 websites were accessed and 38 websites were included in the analysis. The majority of the websites (29, 76.3%) were owned by non-governmental institutions. Twelve (30.8%) websites were certified by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) code of conduct. Only 17 websites (44.7%) had a stated author. Twenty-nine (76.3%) websites had a stated date of publication. Only 16 (42.1%) provided references for the statements made. Infographics were used in 17 (44.7%) websites. The median FRES was 47.15 (range: 22.3–91.8), which is equivalent to college-level readability. The median LIDA usability and reliability score was 38.00 (range: 25–46) and 15.00 (range: 7–24), respectively. The median DISCERN score was 45.00 (range: 17–76). The DISCERN score was significantly associated with the FRES (0.047) and whether the website was governmental or not (0.028). Conclusion: According to this study, the readability, reliability, usability and quality of the majority of websites were inadequate. Due to the rapid growth in the use of the Internet, steps need to be taken to standardise and regulate patient education websites for this and perhaps other health conditions.

Systematic assessment of online health information related to drug therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

e18626 Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Patients increasingly use the internet for drug therapy information that may influence decision-making, drug adherence, and self-management. However, online drug therapy information is prone to quality and readability issues. We systemically assess online drug therapy information for patients with NSCLC in terms of quality, suitability, reliability and readability. Methods: NSCLC online drug therapy websites were searched with three terms using three major engines (Google, Yahoo and Bing). Validated tools were used to assess the content in terms of quality (DISCERN), suitability (Suitability Assessment of Materials [SAM]), reliability (Journal of the American Medical Association [JAMA] benchmarks and the Health on the Net [HON] code), readability (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level). The scores were compared in drug therapy and affiliation subgroups. Results: A total of 52 websites were included. The median quality score was 48.8 (interquartile range [IQR], 39.5-57.0), or fair (39-50). The quality scores were not statistically significant between different subgroups. The median suitability score was 43.8% (40.6%-46.4%), or adequate (40%-69%). The commercial websites showed the highest median suitability score of 45.2%, which was significantly higher than that of non-profit websites ( P &lt; 0.05). The average readability was at a grade of 10.6 level using the Flesch-Kincaid scale which was significantly higher than the traditionally recommended grade-six level ( P＜0.001). The median reliability scores of commercial websites were observably higher than non-profit websites ( P＜0.05). Around 40% of websites were HON code accredited. Conclusions: Most online resources for NSCLC have fair quality, adequate suitability, and poor readability. Reliability was of a moderate level. Therefore, healthcare providers should be cautious when referring patients to online health information and the online information for NSCLC has great room for improvement.[Table: see text]

The use of Online Videos for Vitreoretinal Surgery Training: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Objectives:The current study aimed to test the quality and educational utility of the videos of retinal detachment surgery available on YouTube.Methods:YouTube was searched using the keywords “retinal detachment, retinal detachment surgery” in October 2019. The steps of pars plana vitrectomy surgery were standardized according to the literature. The videos were evaluated in a blinded fashion by two retina specialists with the use of the Modified DISCERN, Health on the Net Foundation (HON)code, the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) checklist, and the Global Quality Score (GQS).Results:A total of 125 videos were reviewed. The total surgery score was 3.11 (2.16–3.67 IQR), and the most commonly shown surgical stages were photocoagulation and core vitrectomy (n = 99 [79.2%] and n = 97 [77.6%], respectively). In the multivariate linear regression model, the duration of video (minutes) (β- Coefficient 0.033, p<0.001), the HONcode score (β-Coefficient 0.310, p=0.005), and GQS (β-Coefficient 0.768, p<0.001) were associated with better educational content, whereas JAMA and Modified DISCERN scores were not.Conclusion:So far, the educational value of YouTube videos has been unsatisfactory. Assessing the videos using tools such as HONcode, video duration and GQS may provide better educational perspective to ophthalmology trainees.

What's Nissen on the net? the quality of information regarding Nissen fundoplication on the internet.

More patients are turning to the internet for their health information than ever before. This is a growing problem as it is well recognized that medical information on the internet is highly variable. We assessed the quality of information on the internet regarding the anti-reflux procedure, Nissen Fundoplication. Three commonly used measures of website quality are the Health On the Net code, the Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark criteria, and the DISCERN tool. The HON code is a seal of approval awarded by an independent organization where the JAMA Benchmark and DISCERN Tool are a set of standards that can be utilized by an internet user or webpage creator. We performed a Google search using the term "Nissen Fundoplication", where we analyzed the top 75 websites. We included English language websites and excluded advertisements, websites for medical professionals, duplicates, and requiring a login. Each website included was evaluated for presence of the HON seal and scored with the JAMA Benchmark and DISCERN criteria to determine quality. Only 16.28% of websites were found to be HON code certified. The average JAMA benchmark score was 1.23, with 9.3% websites scoring the maximum 4 points and 39.53% receiving a score of 0. The average DISCERN score was 34.65 out of a total possible score of 75, where the mean score for the overall quality of the website (question 16) was 2.19 out of a maximal score of 5. This study, using 3 commonly used validated measures, has found that the quality of online information pertaining to Nissen Fundoplication is sorely lacking. The implications of these results are twofold as an important reference for institutions to update their source material and a guide when providing patients with adequate resources.

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

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.