Susruta Manivannan1, Ravanth Baskaran2, Jack Fisher2, Imogen Tasker3, Malik Zaben4. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom. 2. School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom. 3. School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom. 4. Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI), Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom. Electronic address: zabenm@cardiff.ac.uk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public health problem, causing long-term burden to patients and caregivers. Patients and their families often resort to seeking online information regarding TBI management while awaiting formal health care consultations. Although this information is accessible and immediately available, little is known about the quality of online resources. We evaluated the accessibility, relevance, and readability of information regarding TBI from major online search engines. METHODS: TBI-related search terms were entered into 2 online search engines (Google and Yahoo), and the first 30 websites per search were assessed for eligibility. Quality (DISCERN score, JAMA Benchmark score) and readability (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score) were assessed. Associations between search ranking, quality, and readability were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 202 websites were evaluated with mean DISCERN score 36.5 ± 9.9/80, signifying poor global quality, and mean JAMA Benchmark score 2.8 ± 1.1/4. The majority required 9-12 years of education (113/202; 55.9%) according to Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and categorized as "Difficult" on Flesch Reading Ease Score (94/202; 46.5%). Website quality was not associated with search ranking or readability. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of high-quality online resources for patients with TBI. Herein, we highlight: 1) the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals regarding online-information seeking; and 2) recommendations for the most useful online resources available.
OBJECTIVE:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public health problem, causing long-term burden to patients and caregivers. Patients and their families often resort to seeking online information regarding TBI management while awaiting formal health care consultations. Although this information is accessible and immediately available, little is known about the quality of online resources. We evaluated the accessibility, relevance, and readability of information regarding TBI from major online search engines. METHODS: TBI-related search terms were entered into 2 online search engines (Google and Yahoo), and the first 30 websites per search were assessed for eligibility. Quality (DISCERN score, JAMA Benchmark score) and readability (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score) were assessed. Associations between search ranking, quality, and readability were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 202 websites were evaluated with mean DISCERN score 36.5 ± 9.9/80, signifying poor global quality, and mean JAMA Benchmark score 2.8 ± 1.1/4. The majority required 9-12 years of education (113/202; 55.9%) according to Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and categorized as "Difficult" on Flesch Reading Ease Score (94/202; 46.5%). Website quality was not associated with search ranking or readability. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of high-quality online resources for patients with TBI. Herein, we highlight: 1) the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals regarding online-information seeking; and 2) recommendations for the most useful online resources available.
Authors: Nolwenn Lapierre; Olivier Piquer; Erik Celikovic; François Routhier; Julie Ruel; Marie-Eve Lamontagne Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-30 Impact factor: 3.390