Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The inception of the Internet has provided the public with a novel form of access to medical information. It allows consumers to research medical issues in relative anonymity, without the need to consult a health professional about issues they may feel are potentially embarrassing. The dilemma consumers face in using online information is one of sourcing relevant information that is of a high quality. With the broad scope of information available it becomes increasingly difficult to filter "good" quality information from the "bad". This shortcoming is further highlighted in medical topics where a clear evidence base does not exist, or guidelines are not uniform, as is the case in prostate cancer screening (PCS).
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify and assess the quality of information available on te Internet relating to PCS. It was also anticipated that the search strategy applied would identify the best method of obtaining such information.
Methods: A keyword search was performed on the Internet to identify websites providing relevant information on the topic of PCS. Eleven keywords were applied across fifteen search engines representing three different forms; general, medical and meta-search engines. Relevant websites were assessed for their quality of information using the validated DISCERN quality rating tool.
Results: Of the 6,690 websites reviewed, 84 unique websites were identified as providing information relevant to PCS. General search engines identified 81% of the listed websites while meta-search and medical search engines identified 52% and 21% respectively. Over half of the identified websites were assessed as providing information of a "poor" quality, whereas only 11% were assessed as providing information of a "good" quality. Websites that provided a citation of their evidence or a referral link to other resources were found to provide a significantly better quality of information. Conversely websites that offered a direct service (e.g. screening tests for prostate cancer) provided a significantly poorer quality of information. No significant difference was identified in the quality of website information sourced by general, medical and meta-search engines.
Conclusions: The quality of online information available on PCS is variable, ranging from "poor" to "good". Websites containing certain characteristics, such as evidence citation, may offer a guide to the consumer in their search for quality online information. The lack of a clear evidence base regarding uniform guidelines on PCS may influence the quality of online information. This study demonstrates the vigilance consumers must apply when using online information as a supplementary source of information for their medical needs.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify and assess the quality of information available on te Internet relating to PCS. It was also anticipated that the search strategy applied would identify the best method of obtaining such information.
Methods: A keyword search was performed on the Internet to identify websites providing relevant information on the topic of PCS. Eleven keywords were applied across fifteen search engines representing three different forms; general, medical and meta-search engines. Relevant websites were assessed for their quality of information using the validated DISCERN quality rating tool.
Results: Of the 6,690 websites reviewed, 84 unique websites were identified as providing information relevant to PCS. General search engines identified 81% of the listed websites while meta-search and medical search engines identified 52% and 21% respectively. Over half of the identified websites were assessed as providing information of a "poor" quality, whereas only 11% were assessed as providing information of a "good" quality. Websites that provided a citation of their evidence or a referral link to other resources were found to provide a significantly better quality of information. Conversely websites that offered a direct service (e.g. screening tests for prostate cancer) provided a significantly poorer quality of information. No significant difference was identified in the quality of website information sourced by general, medical and meta-search engines.
Conclusions: The quality of online information available on PCS is variable, ranging from "poor" to "good". Websites containing certain characteristics, such as evidence citation, may offer a guide to the consumer in their search for quality online information. The lack of a clear evidence base regarding uniform guidelines on PCS may influence the quality of online information. This study demonstrates the vigilance consumers must apply when using online information as a supplementary source of information for their medical needs.