ABSTRACT
The most ubiquitous social media site, YouTube, is frequently utilized to obtain information about oral and dental health. However, there is still an issue with the standard of online health information. We conducted a study to analyse the quality and professionalism of YouTube videos in Tamil language related to dental caries. The objective was to identify the number of useful videos and hoaxes available online. The videos were analysed using Global Quality Scale (GQS) and modified DISCERN questionnaire. In order to provide trustworthy information to the public, the research emphasises the need for dental professionals and healthcare organisations to be aware of the content available online.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent among patients living with arthritis. Such patients often seek information online, for the purpose of gaining a second opinion to their healthcare provider or even self-medication. Little is known about the quality of web-based consumer health information at the intersection of CAM and arthritis; thus, investigating the quality of websites containing this information was the purpose of this study. Methods: Four unique search terms were searched on Google across four English-speaking countries. We assessed the first 20 results of each search, including them if they contained CAM consumer health information for the treatment and/or management of arthritis. Eligible websites were assessed in duplicate using the DISCERN instrument, which consists of 16-items designed to assess quality. Results: Of total of 320 webpages, 239 were duplicates, and a total of 38 unique websites were deemed eligible and assessed using the DISCERN instrument. The mean summed DISCERN scores across all websites was 55.53 (SD = 9.37). The mean score of the overall quality of each website was 3.71 (SD = 0.63), thus the majority of websites are ranked as slightly above 'fair' quality. Conclusion: Eligible websites generally received scores better than 'moderate' in terms of overall quality. Several shortcomings included a lack of transparency surrounding references used and underreporting of risks associated with treatment options. These results suggest that health providers should be vigilant of the variable quality of information their patients may be accessing online and educate them on how to identify high quality resources.(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Arthritis , Complementary Therapies/standards , Consumer Health Information/standards , Health Services ResearchABSTRACT
Abstract Objective There are no published studies analyzing the quality of the information for lay women on the Internet regarding uterine fibroids. The accuracy of the provided material is also unknown. Thus, we have performed a cross-sectional study with 381 websites in the English and Brazilian Portuguese languages between May and December 2017. Methods Two investigators performed the analysis, and the Cohen kappa coefficient was calculated to analyze the agreement between them. Search terms (uterine fibroids and derivatives) in the English and Brazilian Portuguese languages were used. The accuracywas analyzed by a 10-itemchecklist created based on the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) consensuses about uterine fibroids. The item-test correlation and the intraclass coefficient were performed in the 16 questions from the DISCERN instrument, which was designed to measure the quality of health information on the Internet. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) measurements were performed for the independent variables and the DISCERN/accuracy scores. Results Google was the most used search engine, and uterine fibroid was the search term that generatedmost of the analyzed material. The median score for accuracy in all websites was 5 out of 10, and the median score of the DISCERN instrument was 38 out of 80. The top-scoring sites in the English language were derived from scientific organizations and federal governments, and they regarded the DISCERN score (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], the Food and Drug Administration [FDA]) and the accuracy criteria (NIH, and FDA). On the other hand, in the Brazilian Portuguese language, the highest scores in both instruments were from magazines or physician's blogs. The Cronbach α test showed a higher correlation (0.77-0.79) between the sites and DISCERN; however, the item-test correlation varied from 0.39 to 0.56. Conclusion There is a need to improve the quality of the information regarding uterine fibroids for lay women.
Resumo Objetivos Não existem estudos publicados analisando a qualidade de informação para mulheres leigas na internet sobre o leiomioma uterino. A acurácia do material existente também não é conhecida. Portanto, realizamos um estudo transversal envolvendo 381 sites em língua inglesa e portuguesa de maio a dezembro de 2017. Métodos Dois pesquisadores fizeram a análise, e o coeficiente kappa de Cohen foi calculado para analisar a concordância entreambos. Termos de pesquisa (leiomioma uterino e derivados)eminglês e português foramusados. A acurácia foi analisada por meio de uma lista de 10 itens criados após a fusão de consensos da Sociedade Americana de Medicina da Reprodução (ASRM, na siglaeminglês), dos InstitutosNacionais de Saúde (NIH, na siglaem inglês) e da Sociedade Europeia de Menopausa e Andropausa (EMAS, na sigla em inglês) sobre leiomioma uterino. A correlação item-teste e o coeficiente intraclasse foram realizados nas 16 questões do questionário DISCERN, um instrumento desenvolvido para medir a qualidade da informação de saúde disponível na internet. O método de análise de variância (ANOVA, na sigla em inglês) foi utilizado para as variáveis independentes e as pontuações de acurácia e do DISCERN. Resultados O Google foi a ferramenta mais utilizada, e o leiomioma uterino foi o termo de busca que gerou a maior parte do material analisado. A pontuação média para a acurácia dos websites foi 5/10, e do questionário DISCERN, 38/80. Os sites de língua inglesa commaior pontuação foram os de organizações científicas e de governos federais, tanto no questionário DISCERN (Faculdade Americana de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia [ACOG, na sigla em inglês], Administração de Alimentos e Medicamentos [FDA, na sigla em inglês]) quanto na acurácia (NIH e FDA). Entretanto, em língua portuguesa, os sites com as maiores pontuações em ambos os instrumentos foram de revistas ou blogs médicos. O teste α de Cronbach evidenciou maior correlação entre os sites e o DISCERN (0,77-0,79); contudo, a correlação item-teste variou de 0,39 a 0,56. Conclusão Há necessidade demelhorar a qualidade da informação sobre o leiomioma uterino para mulheres leigas.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Internet , Consumer Health Information/standards , Leiomyoma , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: User-created content (UCC) has provided a considerable amount of medical information and become an important source. We aimed to evaluate the quality and scientific accuracy of precocious puberty-related UCC on YouTube. METHODS: The keywords "precocious puberty", "early puberty", "sexual precocity", and "precocity" were searched for on YouTube during June and July 2014. More than 1,500 UCC matched the keywords. According to the information provider, UCC was classified as medical, oriental, or commercial & others. We evaluated the quality and scientific accuracy of the information provided in UCC using the DISCERN instrument and information scores, respectively. RESULTS: We selected 51 UCC, which were categorized into three types: medical (n=17), oriental (n=17), or commercial & others (n=17). The overall quality score for medical UCC (3.4) was significantly higher relative to those of oriental and commercial & others UCC (2.8 and 2.3, respectively) (P<0.001). In the assessment of scientific accuracy, the mean information score for medical UCC (30.7) was significantly higher than those of oriental and commercial & others UCC (15.9 and 5.1, respectively) (P<0.001). The mean duration of oriental UCC was the longest (P<0.001), however, it was viewed less frequently among them (P=0.086). CONCLUSION: The quality and accuracy of precocious puberty-related health information in UCC were variable and often unreliable. The overall quality of UCC regarding precocious puberty was moderate. Only medical UCC provided scientifically accurate information. As UCC becomes a popular source of health information, it is important to provide reliable, scientifically accurate information.
Subject(s)
Puberty, PrecociousABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of health information on the internet using DISCERN. METHODS: Breast cancer, asthma, depression, obesity were selected to be the tracer conditions of the health information. To collect information about these 4 tracer conditions, we first select top 9 popular Korean websites which provide health information in January 2004. Nine websites include 6 commercial, 3 hospital. To compare quality of internet health information provided by Korean public institute and other countries', we select Healthguide in Korea, MEDLINEplus in USA and NHS direct online in UK. Overall, a total of 45 heath information provided by 10 Korean, 2 other countries' websites were evaluated by two nurses independently using DISCERN. DISCERN is a heath information quality assessment instrument consists of sixteen five-point- scale item questionnaire. The score was compared between Korean commercial and hospital websites and between Korean public institute's website and those of USA and UK. RESULTS: Korean internet health information scored 2.0 for overall quality score. Internet health information of commercial websites scored 1.8 for overall quality score that was lower than hospital websites(2.4). Internet health information provided by Korean public institute scored 3.0 compared 3.3(MEDLINEplus) and 3.8(NHS direct online). CONCLUSION: Internet health information in Korea hardly meets DISCERN standard that means Korean health information have a problem in quality. Especially, Internet health information of commercial websites needs relatively urgent improvement in quality.