Assessing The Quality And Reliability Of Health Information On ERCP Using The DISCERN Instrument

Kaicker, Jatin; Dang, Wilfred

doi:10.4172/hccr.1000104

Cited by 28 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…The reason for this set limitation was that previous studies have shown that most people do not look beyond the first two pages of website hits and that the majority of people only look at the first page of hits. 28 Table 1 shows the amount of hits returned for each search engine.…”

Section: Search Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

SUFE and the internet: are healthcare information websites accessible to parents?

Carthy

Taylor

2020

bmjpo

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BackgroundSlipped upper femoral epiphysis is an adolescent hip disorder requiring rapid surgical intervention. Faced with the prospect of their child undergoing surgery, many fearful parents will turn to the internet to provide information and reassurance. Previous studies have shown the orthopaedic information can be difficult to comprehend.ObjectiveAssess the readability of healthcare websites regarding slipped upper femoral epiphysis.MethodsThe term Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis was searched in Google, Bing and Yahoo. The websites were evaluated using readability software with seven specialised readability tests including the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level, the Flesch Reading Ease Score, the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, Coleman-Liau Index, Automated Readability Index and the Gunning Fog Index. The reading grade level (RGL) was also calculated.A Flesich Read Ease Score (FRES) score above 65 and an RGL of sixth grade and under was considered acceptable. Websites were also assessed for translation services.Results21 unique websites were assessed. The average FRES was 52.5±15.4. Only 3 websites scored 65 or higher (14%). There was a statistically significant difference between website scores based on affiliation, with physician websites having the overall highest mean(p=0.004).The average RGL was 8.67±1.8. Only two websites met the accepted RGL criteria (9.5%) while five websites were marked as extremely difficult to understand (23.8%). Only five websites offered translations (23.8%). There was no statistically significant difference in readability scores between websites which offered translation and those which did not.One-sample t-tests showed that both the RGL (p<0.001; CI 1.83 to 3.49) and the FRES (p<0.001, CI −19.4 to −5.4) scores were significantly different from the accepted standard.ConclusionMost websites reviewed were above the recommended RGL, making content inaccessible. Improving readability and translation services would enhance the internet’s usability as a healthcare tool for parents.

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Section: Search Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

SUFE and the internet: are healthcare information websites accessible to parents?

Carthy

Taylor

2020

bmjpo

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“…Past studies assessing online health information for different health populations have found that many websites lack accuracy and completeness of the content and are difficult to comprehend for laypersons [ 23 , 24 ]. Other studies assessing the quality of health information websites have found that many make unsupported claims, contain bias, and lack details such as the risks associated with treatments [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The quality concerns mean people can be misled with confusing or incorrect health information that can compromise healthcare decisions making [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other studies assessing the quality of health information websites have found that many make unsupported claims, contain bias, and lack details such as the risks associated with treatments [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The quality concerns mean people can be misled with confusing or incorrect health information that can compromise healthcare decisions making [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Quality, Readability, Completeness, and Accuracy of PTSD Websites for Firefighters

Killip

Kwong

MacDermid

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Firefighters appear at an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because of PTSD-related stigma, firefighters may search for information online. The current study evaluated the quality, readability, and completeness of PTSD online resources, and to determine how the online treatment recommendations align with current evidence. Google.ca (Canada) searches were performed using four phrases: ‘firefighter PTSD’, ‘firefighter operational stress’, ‘PTSD symptoms’, and ‘PTSD treatment’. The 75 websites identified were assessed using quality criteria for consumer health information (DISCERN), readability and health literacy statistics, content analysis, and a comparison of treatments mentioned to the current best evidence. The average DISCERN score was 43.8 out of 75 (indicating ‘fair’ quality), with 9 ‘poor’ websites (16–30), 31 ‘fair’ websites (31–45), 26 “good” websites (46–60), and nine excellent websites (61–75). The average grade level required to understand the health-related content was 10.6. The most mentioned content was PTSD symptoms (48/75 websites) and PTSD treatments (60/75 websites). The most frequently mentioned treatments were medications (41/75 websites) and cognitive behavioural therapy (40/75 websites). Cognitive behavioural therapy is supported by strong evidence, but evidence for medications appears inconsistent in current systematic reviews. Online PTSD resources exist for firefighters, but the information is challenging to read and lacks evidence-based treatment recommendations.

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“…Commercial denoted websites which contained advertising or were trying to sell products. Social media was added as a category to acknowledge the increased in uence of Facebook, Instagram, Tinder and Tik Tok in the modern era [49][50][51]. Finally, sites which did not fall into any of the above categories were classed as unspeci ed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For each of these searches, the rst three pages of returned hits were evaluated (n-110). The reasoning behind this methodology and limit was based on evidence provided by previous studies which have shown that most people do not look beyond the rst two pages of website hits and that the majority of people only look at the rst page of hits [49][50]. The gures for the returned hits for each search engine and each search term are shown in Table 1.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Evaluation of Readability of Information on the Internet Regarding Total Ankle Replacement

Carthy¹,

Flavin²

2021

Preprint

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Background:Health literacy is defined as the ability to understand basic health information with such competence as to be able to use this information to enhance health. Lower health literacy is associated with increased post-operative complications, reduced satisfaction and compliance. To ensure accessibility and comprehension by the general public, many international health organisations suggest that health literature has a reading grade level equivalent to the American sixth grade. However, previous studies show that this rarely occurs.Total ankle replacement (TAR) technology has rapidly progressed with new prosthesis showing increasingly improving outcomes. However, TAR remains a complex procedure which may be challenging to explain to the patient. Thus, many patients will turn to the internet for more information and as a ‘quasi-second opinion’. If the health education materials provided on the internet is not accessible to patients, it can leave them overwhelmed and confused. The aim of the study is to evaluate the readability of information on the internet with regards to Total Ankle ReplacementMethods: 110 websites from the two main search engines (Google and Bing) were assessed using the terms ‘total ankle replacement’ and ‘total ankle arthroplasty’. Once duplicates had been removed and exclusion criteria were applied, 36 unique websites were categorised and underwent analysis using readability software (WEB FX readability tool). The websites were assessed for readability using the Fleisch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and the Reading Grade Level (RGL). A score of greater than 65 for FRES and an RGL of six or less were considered acceptable. Differential and Inferential statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.Results:The mean FRES score was 54.95 (SD: ± 13.2); this was significantly below the recognised acceptable standard score of 65 (P<.0001). An ANOVA conducted showed significant difference between FRES scores based on categories (P=.041) with post-hoc testing showing that the difference between commercial and non-physician scores was the most significant (P=.016; CI:3.84-61.66).The mean RGL was 8.31 (SD: ± 1.95). One-way t-tests showed that these scores were significantly higher than the acceptable standard (P<.0001; CI: 1.64-2.97). ANOVA testing showed a significant difference based on category (P=.028) with post hoc testing showing significant difference between non physician and commercial scores (P=.012, CI: 0.71-9.33).Conclusion:The majority of the websites pertaining to total ankle replacement are significantly beyond the comprehension levels of the general public. This will affect the patient’s ability to discern the complexities and potential complications of total ankle arthroplasty, with serious ramifications for consent as well as post-operative rehabilitation and compliance.Level of Evidence: not applicable

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Assessing The Quality And Reliability Of Health Information On ERCP Using The DISCERN Instrument

Cited by 28 publications

References 10 publications

SUFE and the internet: are healthcare information websites accessible to parents?

SUFE and the internet: are healthcare information websites accessible to parents?

The Quality, Readability, Completeness, and Accuracy of PTSD Websites for Firefighters

An Evaluation of Readability of Information on the Internet Regarding Total Ankle Replacement

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