Background: The internet is a major source of health information for the general public, but only a small proportion of that information is based on high quality, regularly updated evidence as well as being free. Comparatively few health websites publish in more than one language. A free and independent evidence-based health information website for consumers and patients was a legislative provision of the German healthcare reform. This website is produced by IQWiG, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.

Objectives: To describe the methods and experiences of a regularly updated, evidence-based and bilingual health information website.

Methods: Analysis of the data logs of use and subscription data, along with online user surveys and other reader feedback will be used to identify the most popular features and topics of the website. Visitor rates will be compared with those of other German and English health websites.

Results: The results for use of the website between February 2006 to July 2006 will be reported, including which of the Cochrane reviews included in the website were most visited. The first 150,000 visitors to the German version of the website had a high use of interactive elements such as quizzes. The average number of pages viewed each visit was 10, indicating a considerable level of engagement and interaction with the website. Of the first 2000 users who completed an online user survey, 79% said that they would recommend the website to others. Of the first 5000 subscribers to the website's newsletter, 21% were doctors.

Conclusions: There are considerable challenges involved in developing an interactive and engaging evidence-based health
information website in more than one language. However, this intervention has the potential to engage and potentially influence a large readership.