Development of a patient-oriented tool for evaluating the quality of breast cancer information on the internet (original) (raw)
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BMJ, 2002
To determine the characteristics of popular breast cancer related websites and whether more popular sites are of higher quality. Design The search engine Google was used to generate a list of websites about breast cancer. Google ranks search results by measures of link popularity-the number of links to a site from other sites. The top 200 sites returned in response to the query "breast cancer" were divided into "more popular" and "less popular" subgroups by three different measures of link popularity: Google rank and number of links reported independently by Google and by AltaVista (another search engine). Main outcome measures Type and quality of content. Results More popular sites according to Google rank were more likely than less popular ones to contain information on ongoing clinical trials (27% v 12%, P = 0.01 ), results of trials (12% v 3%, P = 0.02), and opportunities for psychosocial adjustment (48% v 23%, P < 0.01). These characteristics were also associated with higher number of links as reported by Google and AltaVista. More popular sites by number of linking sites were also more likely to provide updates on other breast cancer research, information on legislation and advocacy, and a message board service. Measures of quality such as display of authorship, attribution or references, currency of information, and disclosure did not differ between groups. Conclusions Popularity of websites is associated with type rather than quality of content. Sites that include content correlated with popularity may best meet the public's desire for information about breast cancer.
Information and Knowledge Management, 2014
Patients including breast cancer patients' participation in the management of their health is now an important practice and they need information about their condition for them to make an informed decision about their health. This information can be sought through various media and internet has been found to be the most important medium even for cancer patients. Literature has shown the recommended readability level of online health consumers to be sixth grade level. Websites were selected by trying to mimic how the public search for breast cancer information on the internet. These websites were then evaluated using a readability tests. This study found out that readability is poor with all the websites written above the recommended grade level for health information. Information about breast cancer can be found on the internet by the public. The readability of online health information is a very serious issue.
Do cancer-specific websites meet patient's information needs?
Patient Education and Counseling, 2014
Objective: To evaluate commonly used cancer websites' information provision, we developed and applied an Information Comprehensiveness Tool to breast and prostate cancer websites. Methods: We first collated questions from a systematic literature review on patient information needs. We then classified the questions in terms of spectrum of care, theme, and nature of question. ''Breast cancer'' and ''prostate cancer'' were typed into Google, and websites listed on the first page of results were selected. Two researchers, blind to each others' scores, assessed the same websites using the coding system. Each question was scored on a 3-point scale as not (0%), partially (50%) and fully (100%) answered by two researchers. Average scores were calculated across all questions. Inter-rater reliability was assessed. Results: We identified 79 general, 5 breast, and 5 prostate cancer questions. Inter-rater reliability was good, with an intraclass coefficient of 0.756 (95% CIs 0.729-0.781). 17 questions were not answered thoroughly by any website. Questions about ''future planning '', ''monitoring'', and ''decision-making'' were discussed least. Biomedical questions scored highest.
Evaluation Breast Cancer Information on The Internet in Arabic
Journal of Cancer Education, 2018
Nowadays, medical information regarding various diseases and disorders is available online. The Internet has become the first choice for the patient when it comes to gathering detailed information about a disease or problem. Therefore, in view of this frequent occurrence, the information that is provided online needs to be accurate; providing comprehensive facts, transparency, and quality. A study was carried out to determine the accuracy of information related to breast cancer on various websites. Websites which share information online about breast cancer, in the Arabic language, were selected. The quality of the websites was to be evaluated; however, there is no standard method for evaluating the quality of health websites. Hence, a rating form was developed for this study, to determine the completeness and transparency of a specific number of websites using three popular search engines. A 16-item questionnaire was prepared and validated to determine the quality of individual websites in addition to using the DISCERN instrument for assessing consumer health information. Most of the websites (approximately 47%) were deemed to be commercial in nature. Thirty-three percent were developed by non-profit organizations. They disseminated information concerning the risk factors (93%), screening, mammography (93%), surgical treatment (93%), chemotherapy (89%), radiotherapy (93%), and complementary medicine (0%) surrounding the treatment of breast cancer. About 67% of the websites were estimated to give completely correct information. Incidentally, only five websites had a healthcare professional or expert as the author, while nine of them had no author. Although numerous breast cancer-related websites exist, most do a poor job in providing Arabic-speaking women with comprehensive information about breast cancer surgery. Providing easily-accessible, high-quality online information has the potential to significantly improve patients' experiences.
2020
Objective To study the impact of the spontaneous use of Internet on breast cancer patients and on their relationship with health professionals. Methods A mixed methodology was used. Two questionnaires were designed through three focus groups, and then administered to 186 patients and 59 professionals in order to assess: (1) patients’ use of Internet for health-related information and (2) the impact of this information on patients’ psychological outcomes and on their relationship with professionals. Results Patients spent more time looking for illness-related information after diagnosis, using interactive communities more than static information websites. Patients and professionals disagreed about the use of Internet in terms of the knowledge it provides, and its psychological impact. The main barrier reported by patients regarding the sharing of online information with their professionals was the belief that it would damage their relationship. Conclusions Both professionals and patients have a protectionist conception of the therapeutic relationship. This attitude tends to dismiss the positive impact that the use of Internet and the new communication tools may have in cancer patients. New resources should provide an “Internet Prescription” and modes of interaction to facilitate a more open digital communication.
Web-site Evaluation Tools: A Case Study in Reproductive Health Information.
Study in health technology and informatics, 2014
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Internet forms an opportunity to inform, teach, and connect professionals and patients. However, much information on Internet is incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading, and not only in the medical domain. Because of the potential for damage from misleading and inaccurate health information, many organizations and individuals have published or implemented scoring tools for evaluating the appropriateness or quality of these resources. The objective of this study is to identify and summarize ...
Breast cancer: patient information needs reflected in English and German web sites
British journal of cancer, 2004
Individual belief and knowledge about cancer were shown to influence coping and compliance of patients. Supposing that the Internet information both has impact on patients and reflects patients' information needs, breast cancer web sites in English and German language were evaluated to assess the information quality and were compared with each other to identify intercultural differences. Search engines returned 10 616 hits related to breast cancer. Of these, 4590 relevant hits were analysed. In all, 1888 web pages belonged to 132 English-language web sites and 2702 to 65 German-language web sites. Results showed that palliative therapy (4.5 vs 16.7%; P=0.004), alternative medicine (18.2 vs 46.2%; P<0.001), and disease-related information (prognosis, cancer aftercare, self-help groups, and epidemiology) were significantly more often found on German-language web sites. Therapy-related information (including the side effects of therapy and new studies) was significantly more oft...
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if a cancer research study website increased comprehension among patients and caregivers and if website evaluations differed across patient and caregiver groups. Participants (N = 200) were cancer patients and caregivers living in the USA. Comprehension was determined by the number of correct responses to a series of questions about key characteristics of cancer research studies that are frequently unknown or misinterpreted by patients and/or caregivers. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to determine participant evaluations across four domains: perceived website credibility, perceived website attractiveness, perceived information effectiveness, and perceived information clarity. Patients and caregivers perceived the website as highly credible and attractive and the information as both easy to understand and moderately effective in helping them make decisions about CCTs. Qualitative feedback underscores the importance of testimonials to website credibility. However, the range in the number of correct responses of certain items across participants coupled with discrepancies in comprehension between patients and caregivers suggests the need for stronger mechanisms evaluating knowledge outcomes.