Review of health information Web sites for peritoneal dialysis information for patients.

We performed a review of United States-based, English-language Web sites to evaluate the information on peritoneal dialysis (PD) available to patients via the Internet. The "hits" obtained after using the search term "peritoneal dialysis" on a series of health care Web sites were listed and reviewed. Information was classified as limited, brief summary, detailed, or extensive, in order of increasing information. Professional organizations dedicated to kidney disease provided extensive information on PD, but Web sites for consumers generally provided little information. Information regarding PD is available to patients on the Internet, but for the most detailed and accurate information, patients should be directed to sites provided by professional organizations that specialize in kidney disease.