Quality Of Online Patient Information Research Articles

Assessing the readability and quality of online patient information for laser tattooremoval

Just as tattoos continue to increase in popularity, many people with tattoos also seek removal, often due to career concerns. Prospective clients interested in laser tattoo removal may do research about the procedure online, as the internet increasingly becomes a resource to get preliminary health information. However, it is important that the online health information on the topic be of high quality and be accessible to all patients. We analyzed 77 websites from a Google search query using the terms “Laser tattoo removal patient Information” and “Laser tattoo removal patient Instructions” to assess this. The websites were evaluated for their readability using multiple validated indices and comprehensiveness. We found that websites had a broad readability range, from elementary to college, though most were above the recommended eighth-grade reading level. Less than half of the websites adequately discussed the increased risk of pigmentary complications in the skin of color clients or emphasized the importance of consulting with a board-certified dermatologist/plastic surgeon before the procedure. Over 90% of the websites noted that multiple laser treatments are likely needed for complete clearance of tattoos. The findings from our study underscore a significant gap in the accessibility and quality of online information for patients considering laser tattoo removal, particularly in addressing specific risks for patients with darker skin tones and emphasizing the need for consulting a board-certified physician before undergoing the procedure. It is important that online resources for laser tattoo removal be appropriately written to allow better decision-making, expectations, and future satisfaction for potential clients interested in the procedure.

Quality assessment of online patient information on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients tool.

Websites and online resources are increasingly becoming patients' main source of healthcare information. It is paramount that high quality information is available online to enhance patient education and improve clinical outcomes. Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy is the gold standard investigation for UGI symptoms and yet little is known regarding the quality of patient orientated websites. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of online patient information on UGI endoscopy using the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool. Ten search terms were employed to conduct a systematic review. for each term, the top 100 websites identified via a Google search were assessed using the modified EQIP tool. High scoring websites underwent further analysis. Websites intended for professional use by clinicians as well as those containing video or marketing content were excluded. A total of 378 websites were eligible for analysis. The median modified EQIP score for UGI endoscopy was 18/36 (interquartile range: 14-21). The median EQIP scores for the content, identification and structure domains were 8/18, 1/6 and 9/12 respectively. Higher modified EQIP scores were obtained for websites produced by government departments and National Health Service hospitals (p=0.007). Complication rates were documented in only a fifth (20.4%) of websites. High scoring websites were significantly more likely to provide balanced information on risks and benefits (94.6% vs 34.4%, p<0.001). There is an immediate need to improve the quality of online patient information regarding UGI endoscopy. The currently available resources provide minimal information on the risks associated with the procedure, potentially hindering patients' ability to make informed healthcare decisions.

Online health information on sinonasal inverted papillomas: An assessment on readability and quality.

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is a rare but serious diagnosis, with a paucity of patient-centred information regarding this condition. As more patients are seeking healthcare information online, the quality and comprehensibility of this information becomes ever more important. The aim of the study was to investigate the readability and quality of websites on inverted papilloma. The term IP and seven of its synonyms were inputted into the three of the most commonly used search engines in the English-speaking world (Google, Yahoo and Bing). The first 20 results returned for each search term were then screened with our exclusion criteria. The remaining websites were assessed for their readability using the using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and average grade level (AGL). Quality was assessed using the DISCERN questionnaire. Of the 480 websites returned using our search strategy, 410 were excluded using our screening criteria. Removal of duplicates from the remaining 70 websites left 14 for inclusion in the final analysis. The mean FRES score of the remaining websites was 30.5 ± 10 and the mean AGL was 15.2 ± 1.1, corresponding to a reading age of a 21-year-old. The median DISCERN score was 33.5 (30.5-36.5), a score which falls within the 'poor quality' range. The readability and quality of online patient information on IP is far below the expected standard. Healthcare providers have a responsibility to direct patients to appropriate sources of information or consider producing new material should a lack of appropriate sources exist.

AB107. SOH23ABS_014. Acromioclavicular joint reconstruction: an analysis of the readability and quality of online patient information

Background: Currently, patients use the internet for health information relating to surgery. The aim of this study is to assess the readability and quality of online health information relating to acromioclavicular joint reconstruction. We hypothesize that the information will be of poor quality and be too difficult to read for the average patient.

A quality assessment of online patient information regarding tonsillitis using the EQIP tool

BackgroundTonsillitis is a common paediatric condition. The decision to seek medical attention and consent to treatment is usually made by parents or guardians. With increased accessibility of the internet, online medical information plays an increasingly significant role in the decision-making process. Little is known regarding the quality of online patient information on tonsillitis, as this has not been previously studied. ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to identify the quality of information regarding tonsillitis on websites intended for the public. MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of online information on tonsillitis using the following search terms: “Tonsillectomy”, “Tonsillitis”, “Adenotonsillectomy” and “Tonsil”. The first three pages of returned websites were captured and each website was examined using the validated Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool (score 0–36). ResultsA total of 92 websites met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The overall median EQIP score was 19 with an interquartile range of 17–22 and a maximum of 32. More than half of all websites originated from the USA (61%) and hospitals were the most common source of information (29%). Most websites failed to describe the quantitative benefits or address the medical intervention costs and insurance issues. Half of the websites included both tonsillectomy and antibiotics as treatments for tonsillitis. Only 68% included complications of tonsillitis or tonsillectomy. ConclusionsThe assessment of the quality of online patient information websites regarding tonsillitis by the EQIP tool indicates that most websites were of poor credibility, with minimal information regarding treatment choices and complications. To improve awareness of tonsillitis, there is a need for more informative and patient-centred websites that are compatible with the international quality standard for patient information.

Inguinal hernia repair: a systematic analysis of online patient information using the Modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients tool.

Online resources are a fundamental source of healthcare information due to the increasing popularity of the internet. Ensuring accuracy and reliability of websites is crucial to improving patient education and enhancing patient outcomes. Inguinal hernia repair is the most commonly performed general surgical procedure worldwide. This study analyses the quality of online patient information about inguinal hernia repair using the Modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool. A systematic review of online information on inguinal hernia repair was conducted using four search terms: 'inguinal hernia', 'groin hernia', 'inguinal hernia repair' and 'inguinoscrotal hernia'. The top 100 websites for each term identified using Google were assessed using the modified EQIP tool (score 0-36). Websites for the paediatric population or intended for medical professional use were excluded from analysis. A total of 142 websites were eligible for analysis, 52.8% originating from the UK. The median EQIP score for all websites was 17/36 (interquartile range 14-21). The median EQIP scores for content, identification and structure were 8/18, 2/8 and 8/12, respectively. Complications of inguinal hernia repair were included in 46.5% of websites, with only 9.2% providing complication rates and 14.1% providing information on how complications are handled. This study highlights that the current quality of online patient information on inguinal hernia repair is poor, with minimal information available on complications, hindering patients' ability to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. To improve patient education, there is an immediate need for improved quality online resources to meet international standards.

Evaluation of the quality of online patient information at the intersection of complementary and alternative medicine and hypertension

BackgroundHypertension impacts 1.1 billion people globally; many patients seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as a result of adverse side effects from antihypertensive medications or because they believe natural options are safer. The internet is increasingly playing a role in patient health information-seeking behavior, however, the variability of information quality across websites is unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the quality of websites providing consumer health information at the intersection of hypertension and CAM.MethodsFour unique terms were searched on Google, across Australia, Canada, the US, and the UK. The first 20 webpages resulting from each search were screened for eligibility, and were included if they contained consumer health information relating to CAM therapies for the treatment/management of hypertension. To assess the quality of health information on eligible websites, we used the DISCERN instrument, a standardized quality index of consumer health information.ResultsOf 90 unique webpages, 40 websites were deemed eligible and quality assessed. The 40 eligible websites were classified into seven categories: professional (n = 15), news (n = 11), non-profit (n = 5), health portal (n = 3), commercial (n = 2), government (n = 1), and other (n = 3). The mean summed DISCERN score was 52.34 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.69) out of 75 and the mean overall score was 3.49 (SD = 0.08) out of 5. A total of 10 websites had a total DISCERN score of 60.00 and above with an average rating of 4.33. Among these, Medicine Net (69.00) and WebMD (69.00) were determined to have the highest quality information. Websites generally scored well with respect to providing their aims, identifying treatment benefits and options, and discussing shared-decision making; websites generally lacked references and provided inadequate information surrounding treatment risks and impact on quality of life.ConclusionsWhile some websites provided high-quality consumer health information, many others provided information of suboptimal quality. A need exists to better educate patients about identifying misinformation online. Healthcare providers should also inquire about their patients’ health information-seeking behavior, and provide them with the guidance necessary to identify high-quality resources which they can use to inform shared-decision making.

Treatment for Constipation-An Online Search. Readability and Quality of Online Patient Resources.

Aim: To evaluate the readability and quality of online patient information regarding treatment for constipation in the English language. Methods: By utilizing the Google © website, the keyword “treatment for chronic constipation” was searched. Each webpage was assessed by 2 authors independently for readability using both the Gunning Fog Index (GFI) and the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES). The quality of the information produced on each individual website was assessed using the DISCERN instrument. Other parameters that were recorded included the country of origin, the organization type, and whether or not the website was issued a Health on the Net (HoN) certificate. Results: This study identified a mean GFI score of 13.2 and a mean FRES score of 48.9. This result indicates poor overall readability. A mean DISCERN score of 37.9 was produced, indicating an overall weak quality of online information on this topic. This study indicated that parameters such as website organization type and the presence or absence of HoN certification impacted the quality of the information websites on this topic. Conclusion: This study indicated a poor level of quality and readability of online information on the topic of chronic constipation treatment. Further resources should be directed towards improving website readability and quality. Patients may be advised that if they wish to access online information on this topic, websites that display HoN accreditation will likely produce higher quality information.

P-BN24 Quality assessment of online patient information on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using the Modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool

Abstract Background Online resources are rapidly becoming patients’ primary source of healthcare information due to the Internet’s ease of access. The availability of high-quality online information is paramount to improving patient education and clinical outcomes. Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy is the gold standard investigation for UGI symptoms, yet little is known regarding the quality of patient oriented websites. This study aims to analyse the quality of online patient information on UGI endoscopy using the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool. Methods A systematic review was conducted using 10 search terms. The top 100 websites for each term identified using Google search were assessed using the modified EQIP tool (score 0-36). Sub-analysis was performed on high-scoring websites. Websites for medical professional use or containing video and marketing content were excluded. Results 378 websites were eligible for analysis. The median modified EQIP score for UGI endoscopy was 18/36 (IQR 14-21). Median EQIP scores for the content, identification and structure domains were 8/18, 1/6 and 9/12, respectively. Websites produced by government health departments and NHS hospitals had a higher modified EQIP score (p = 0.007). Complication rates were included in only 20.4% of websites. High-scoring websites were significantly more likely to provide balanced information on risks and benefits (94.6% vs. 34.4%; p &amp;lt; 0.001). Conclusions The current quality of online patient information on UGI endoscopy is limited, with minimal information available on risks of the procedure, potentially hindering patients’ ability to make informed healthcare decisions. There is an immediate need for high-quality online resources to improve patient education.

EP.TH.375Inguinal hernia repair: A systematic analysis of online patient information using the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients tool

Abstract Aims Online resources are a fundamental source of healthcare information due to the increasing popularity of the Internet, therefore ensuring accuracy and reliability of websites is crucial to improving patient education and enhancing patient outcomes. Inguinal hernia repair is the most commonly performed general surgical procedure worldwide. This study aims to analyse the quality of online patient information on inguinal hernia repair using the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patents (EQIP) tool. Method A systematic review of online information on inguinal hernia repair was conducted using 4 search terms: “inguinal hernia”, “groin hernia”, “inguinal hernia repair” and “inguinoscrotal hernia”. The top 100 websites for each term identified using Google were assessed using the modified EQIP tool (score 0-36). Websites for the paediatric population or intended for medical professional use were excluded from analysis. Results 142 websites were eligible for analysis. 52.8% of websites originated from the UK. The median EQIP score for all websites was 17/36 (IQR 14-21). The median EQIP scores for Content, Identification and Structure were 8/18, 2/8, and 8/12, respectively. Complications of inguinal hernia repair were included in 46.5% of websites, with 9.2% providing complication rates and 14.1% providing information on how complications are handled. Conclusions This study highlights that the current quality of online patient information on inguinal hernia repair is poor, with minimal information available on complications, hindering patients’ ability to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. To improve patient education, there is an immediate need for improved quality online resources to meet international standards.

Quality and readability of online resources on chronic ankle instability

BackgroundOnline resources on medical conditions often provide misleading or outdated information for patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of online patient information on ankle instability. MethodsThe terms “ankle instability”, “ankle instability treatment” and “ankle laxity” were entered into the three largest internet search engines. The quality, accuracy and readability were evaluated using the EQIP36, a custom 25-item list and the Flesch-Kincaid-Score. ResultsThe mean 25-item score of 102 included websites reached 10 ± 5, the mean EQIP36 score was 41 ± 11 and 96% of evaluated websites exceeded the recommended 8th-grade reading level for patient information. The quality was significantly higher with reading levels of college graduates (P < 0.001). ConclusionsOnline resources on ankle instability are often inaccurate or at inappropriately high reading level. The quality and accuracy depend on the reading levels, with high reading levels providing more in-depth information. Foot and ankle surgeons should be aware of available online resources to direct patients to adequate websites. Level of evidenceLevel V.

Internet Information for Patients on Cancer Diets - an Analysis of German Websites

Background: In recent years, the Internet has become an important source of information for cancer patients. Various cancer diets that are publicized on the Web promise significant benefits. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of online patient information about cancer diets. Materials and Methods: A patient's search for ‘cancer diets' on German websites was simulated using the search engine Google. The websites were evaluated utilizing a standardized instrument with formal and content aspects. Results: An analysis of 60 websites revealed that websites from nonprofit associations as well as self-help groups offer the best content and formal ranking. Websites whose owners aim to make a profit, practices that offer cancer diet therapies, and newspapers received the poorest quality score. The majority of content provided on the Web gets published by profit-oriented content groups. Conclusion: The divergence between profit-driven websites offering low-quality content and the few trustworthy websites on cancer diets is enormous. The information given online about cancer diets may turn out to be a hazardous pitfall. In order to present evidence-based information about cancer diets, online information should be replenished to create a more accurate picture and give higher visibility to the right information.

Systematic Review of Internet Patient Information on Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer often seek information on the Internet to help them make treatment decisions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of Web-based patient information regarding surgery for colorectal cancer. This study is a cross-sectional survey of patient-directed Web sites. The search engine Google (Mountain View, CA) and the search terms "colorectal cancer surgery," "colon cancer surgery," and "rectal cancer surgery" were used to identify Web sites. To assess quality, we used the DISCERN instrument, a validated questionnaire developed to analyze written consumer health information on treatment options to aid consumers in evaluating the quality of health-related information on treatment choices for a specific health problem. An additional colorectal cancer-specific questionnaire was used to evaluate Web site content for colorectal cancer surgical treatment. Two independent assessors reviewed each Web site. Searches revealed a total of 91 distinct Web sites, of which 37 met inclusion criteria. Web site affiliation was as follows: 32% open-access general information, 24% hospital/health care organization, and 19% professional medical society. Twelve (32.4%) Web sites had clear aims, 10 (27.0%) had identifiable references to their sources of information, and 9 (24.3%) noted the date of published information. Ten sites (27.0%) provided some description of the surgical procedure, 8 (21.6%) discussed either the risks or the benefits of surgery, and 4 (10.8%) addressed quality-of-life issues. Nineteen (51.4%) Web sites discussed postoperative complications, and 7 (18.9%) discussed stoma-related maintenance/care. The small sample size and interrater reliability bias are limitations of this study. The quality of online patient information regarding colorectal cancer treatment is highly variable, often incomplete, and does not adequately convey the information necessary for patients to make well-informed medical decisions regarding treatment for colorectal cancer. An opportunity exists for professional medical societies to create more comprehensive online patient information materials that may serve as a resource to physicians and their patients (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A122).

Assessing the quality of online information for patients with carotid disease

IntroductionControversy exists relating to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) versus carotid artery stenting (CAS). We aimed to assess the quality of online patient information relating to both. MethodsThe Google search engine was searched for “carotid endarterectomy” and “carotid stenting”. The first 50 webpages returned were assessed. The Gunning Fog Index (GFI) and Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) were calculated to assess readability. The LIDA tool (Minervation Ltd., Oxford, U.K.) was used to assess accessibility, usability and reliability. Results20% (n = 10) of the webpages returned for CEA were from peer reviewed sources with 34% (n = 17) posted by hospitals or health services. Comparatively, for CAS, 40% (n = 20) were peer reviewed with 16% (n = 8) posted by hospitals or health services. GFI and FRES scores indicated webpages for both CEA and CAS had poor general readability. Webpages for CEA were easier to read than those for CAS (mean FRES difference of 6.7 (95% CI 0.51 to 12.93, p = 0.03). Median LIDA scores demonstrated acceptable reliability, accessibility and usability of information for both CEA and CAS webpages. The more readable webpages were not associated with higher LIDA scores for either CEA or CAS webpages. ConclusionWebpages providing information on carotid disease management must be made more readable. Online information currently available to patients regarding CAS is more difficult to read and comprehend than CEA.

Quality of online information about cleft lip and palate

Background: It is known that parents and cleft-patients are actively searching for online information and participating in online forums. Since there are no studies available on the quality of online patient information about cleft lip and palate, it is important to evaluate the quality of this information. When quality is lacking, healthcare professionals must refer patients to websites of good quality. Furthermore, by getting a better understanding of the definition of quality according to patients, online information can be adjusted.