Is the Quality of Internet Medical Information Improving?: A Case Study on Endoscopy under Sedation

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The rate of internet utilization has been gradually increased especially due to recent introduction of mobile devices. In 2005, we evaluated the quality of medical information on the internet about endoscopy under conscious sedation. In the present study, we tried to find out whether there was a significant change in the quality of medical information between 2005 and 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the five most frequently used internet search engines, we found top 20 internet sites with the key word 'sleeping endoscopy' and 'endoscopy under conscious sedation'. The quality of information was evaluated by the same checklist used in the previous study. RESULTS: With the key word 'sleeping endoscopy', 69 sites were found. Among them, 58 sites (84.1%) were made by general hospitals or private clinics. The definition of sleeping endoscopy was accurately mentioned in 50.7% (n=35) of the sites, whereas the rate was 57.1% in 2005. In 2012, information on sedative agents were mentioned in only 16 sites (23.2%) which was lower than 42.9% in 2005 (P<0.05). There were more information on complications of endoscopy in 2012. Using the key word 'endoscopy under conscious sedation', only 13 sites were found, and the quality of information in these sites was generally better than sites found with 'sleeping endoscopy'. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2005 and 2012, the quantity of information on endoscopy under sedation has increased. However, there were no definite improvement in the quality of information.