On-line information about cancer clinical trials: evaluating the Web sites of comprehensive cancer centers.

The objective of this study was to examine the information provided on comprehensive cancer centers' Web sites regarding clinical trials. Thirty-nine Web sites were visually inspected for four categories of variables: navigation to the clinical trial information, search functionality provided to the visitor, information content provided about trials, and the reading level of the information provided. Results indicated that for those Web sites that provided information about clinical trials, the content was often limited and trial descriptions were written at a college reading level. This study suggests that these Web sites are not yet adequately designed to serve as a successful aid for increased trial accrual. The design of future online clinical trial information should be guided by data from consumer health informatics research.