RESUMO
Background: Patients are increasingly utilizing the internet to learn about dietary and herbal supplements (DHSs) for various diseases/conditions, including pain management. Online health information has been found to be inconsistent and of poor quality in prior studies, which may have detrimental effects on patient health. This study assessed the quality of online DHSs consumer health information for pain. Methods: Six search items related to DHSs and pain were used to generate the first 20 websites on Google across four English-speaking countries. The identified 480 webpages produced 68 eligible websites, which were then evaluated using the DISCERN tool. The mean scores and standard deviations (SD) of the reviewers' ratings on each of the 15 DISCERN instrument items as well as the overall total score were calculated. Results: The mean summed score for the 68 eligible websites was 46.6 (SD = 10.1), and the mean overall rating was 3.3 (SD = 0.8). Websites lacked information regarding areas of uncertainty, the effects of no treatment being used, and how treatments affect the overall quality of life. These shortcomings were especially apparent across commercial websites, which frequently displayed bias, failed to report the risks of DHS products, and lacked support for shared decision-making regarding the use of DHSs. Conclusion: Variability exists in the quality of online consumer health information regarding DHS use for pain. Healthcare providers should be aware of and provide guidance to patients regarding the identification of reliable online resources so that they can make informed decisions about DHS use for pain management.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Many cancer patients use complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) to improve their psychological and functional health. However, there is little known about the extent of CAIM information and services provided on oncology hospital websites. METHODS: This study reviewed public-facing websites to determine the degree of CAIM information provided and services offered by the world's leading cancer hospitals in 2021; this ranking was informed by a large survey of medical professionals led by Newsweek and Statista. Nine authors extracted data from hospital websites individually and in triplicate, prior to meeting to revise data extractions. Data analysis was then performed by two authors to determine how many hospitals provided CAIM descriptions and offered CAIM services, and the extent of CAIM information provided. RESULTS: A total of 131 hospitals were included in this study. Of the eligible hospitals, 50.38% (n = 66) provided a theoretical description of CAIM; 48.09% (n = 63) provided a description of one or more CAIM therapies; 63.36% (n = 83) offered one or more CAIM therapies to cancer patients. The most common therapies described were the same as the most common therapies offered. These therapies are massage, special foods and diets, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and creative outlets. While CAIM therapies were commonly offered, information surrounding the benefits and side effects associated with these therapies varied. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lack of CAIM standardization worldwide, there is a need for increased CAIM information provision on hospital websites to better inform and empower patients to make well-informed decisions about their health.
