ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality and accuracy of information on the Web about scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five search engines were selected and the key word "scoliosis" was entered. 25 web site were chosen. Each Web site was evaluated for the type, quality, accuracy of Web site. Web site type was classified as academic, commercial, physician, nonphysician. Web site quality was evaluated according to scoliosis specific content using 32 disease specific key words. The accuracy was evaluated by three board certified orthopaedic surgeons. One point was given when we agreed with less than 25% of the information and four points were given when we agreed with greater than 75%. RESULTS: 25 Web sites were evaluated, 20% were academic, 64% were physician based. The quality score for academic was 13.4, physician 8.2. The accuracy score for academic was 10.6, physician 6.9. CONCLUSION: The internet information about scoliosis is limited for quality and information value. The majority of the Web sites were physician site but the quality and accuracy score were poor. The lowest scoring Web sites were physician sites. The public and medical association need to be aware of the limitation of the Web site. The guide line and certification for the Web site about scoliosis should be established.