¿Cómo son las páginas webs de los laboratorios farmacéuticos dirigidas a los usuarios? / How are the websites of pharmaceutical companies directed at users?

ObjetivoDescribir el contenido y la estructura de las páginas webs de los laboratorios farmacéuticos (LF) con información sanitaria dirigida a pacientes.DiseñoDescriptivo transversal. Variables: temas de salud tratados y 9 apartados: población diana y objetivos, política editorial, autoría, actualización de contenidos, protección de datos personales, interactividad, accesibilidad, publicidad y sellos de calidad.EmplazamientoInternet.ParticipantesTodas las páginas webs en español de LF con información sanitaria dirigida a pacientes.MedicionesSe estudiaron las 60 páginas webs encontradas. Temas más frecuentes: neurología-salud mental (19,3%) y digestivos (12%). Pocas especifican la dirección del responsable del sitio (51,7%), del responsable de la calidad (10%) o de los autores del texto (15%). Casi dos tercios tienen fecha de publicación del contenido (66,7%), pero de actualización sólo el 13,3%. Declara política de privacidad y protección de datos el 65% y sólo posibilita controlar el uso de datos personales el 28,3%. Un 10% permite dudas en línea y un tercio tiene área de preguntas más frecuentes. El 41,7% omite que su información no reemplaza la consulta médica. Un 11,7% permite descargar material didáctico (infantil). El 93,3% adapta su lenguaje al destinatario, pero ninguna es accesible para discapacitados. Mayoritariamente (86,7%) muestran el logotipo del laboratorio en todas las páginas. Sólo el 16,7% son máscaras para la publicidad. Exclusivamente 9 páginas webs tienen sello de calidad (HONcode).ConclusionesSon páginas dirigidas más a informar superficialmente sobre una enfermedad que a publicitar directamente un principio activo o una marca determinada. Sin embargo, su fiabilidad debe ser baja al desconocerse autores y fuentes de información. La información sanitaria de Internet debe ser veraz y estar avalada por autores o fuentes de información adecuadas; así, Internet podrá ser una verdadera herramienta de educación sanitaria(AU)

ObjectiveTo describe the content and structure of the websites of pharmaceutical companies (PC) with health information to patients.DesignDescriptive, cross-sectional.Main measurementshealth topics treated, and 9 sections: objectives and target population; editorial policy, authoring, updating of content, personal data protection, interactivity, accessibility, advertising labels.SettingInternet.ParticipantsAll PC websites with patient health information in Spanish.ResultsWe studied 60 sites found. Most common: 19.3% neurology, mental health and 12% digestive diseases. Few specify the address of the person responsible for the site (51.7%), responsible for quality (10%) or the authors of the text (15%). Nearly 2/3 show the date of publication of content (66.7%), but only 13.3% updated. Privacy and data protection are mentioned in 65%, with only 28.3% allowing control of the use of personal data. Only 10% allow expressing doubts online and 1/3 of the sites have frequently asked questions. A total of 41.7% omitted to say their information does not replace medical advice. Educational materials (for children) can be downloaded in 11.7%. Almost all (93.3%) adapted their language to the recipient, but none are accessible to disabled people. The majority (86.7%) have the company logo on all pages. Only 16.7% are fronts for advertising, and only 9 sites have a quality seal (HONcode).ConclusionsPages are designed to give superficial information on a disease than directly advertise a particular brand or active ingredient. However, their reliability has to be low due to the authors and sources of information being unknown. If Internet health information was truthful and backed up by authors or appropriate information sources, the Internet could well be a genuine health education tool(AU)

[How are the websites of pharmaceutical companies directed at users?]. / ¿Cómo son las páginas webs de los laboratorios farmacéuticos dirigidas a los usuarios?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the content and structure of the websites of pharmaceutical companies (PC) with health information to patients. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: health topics treated, and 9 sections: objectives and target population; editorial policy, authoring, updating of content, personal data protection, interactivity, accessibility, advertising labels. SETTING: Internet. PARTICIPANTS: All PC websites with patient health information in Spanish. RESULTS: We studied 60 sites found. Most common: 19.3% neurology, mental health and 12% digestive diseases. Few specify the address of the person responsible for the site (51.7%), responsible for quality (10%) or the authors of the text (15%). Nearly 2/3 show the date of publication of content (66.7%), but only 13.3% updated. Privacy and data protection are mentioned in 65%, with only 28.3% allowing control of the use of personal data. Only 10% allow expressing doubts online and 1/3 of the sites have frequently asked questions. A total of 41.7% omitted to say their information does not replace medical advice. Educational materials (for children) can be downloaded in 11.7%. Almost all (93.3%) adapted their language to the recipient, but none are accessible to disabled people. The majority (86.7%) have the company logo on all pages. Only 16.7% are fronts for advertising, and only 9 sites have a quality seal (HONcode). CONCLUSIONS: Pages are designed to give superficial information on a disease than directly advertise a particular brand or active ingredient. However, their reliability has to be low due to the authors and sources of information being unknown. If Internet health information was truthful and backed up by authors or appropriate information sources, the Internet could well be a genuine health education tool.