BackgroundThe Internet is used increasingly by providers as a tool for disseminating pain-related health information and by patients as a resource about health conditions and treatment options. However, health information on the Internet remains unregulated and varies in quality, accuracy and readability. The objective of this study was to determine the quality of pain websites, and explain variability in quality and readability between pain websites.MethodsFive key terms (pain, chronic pain, back pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia) were entered into the Google, Yahoo and MSN search engines. Websites were assessed using the DISCERN instrument as a quality index. Grade level readability ratings were assessed using the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Algorithm. Univariate (using alpha = 0.20) and multivariable regression (using alpha = 0.05) analyses were used to explain the variability in DISCERN scores and grade level readability using potential for commercial gain, health related seals of approval, language(s) and multimedia features as independent variables.ResultsA total of 300 websites were assessed, 21 excluded in accordance with the exclusion criteria and 110 duplicate websites, leaving 161 unique sites. About 6.8% (11/161 websites) of the websites offered patients' commercial products for their pain condition, 36.0% (58/161 websites) had a health related seal of approval, 75.8% (122/161 websites) presented information in English only and 40.4% (65/161 websites) offered an interactive multimedia experience. In assessing the quality of the unique websites, of a maximum score of 80, the overall average DISCERN Score was 55.9 (13.6) and readability (grade level) of 10.9 (3.9). The multivariable regressions demonstrated that website seals of approval (P = 0.015) and potential for commercial gain (P = 0.189) were contributing factors to higher DISCERN scores, while seals of approval (P = 0.168) and interactive multimedia (P = 0.244) contributed to lower grade level readability, as indicated by estimates of the beta coefficients.ConclusionThe overall quality of pain websites is moderate, with some shortcomings. Websites that scored high using the DISCERN questionnaire contained health related seals of approval and provided commercial solutions for pain related conditions while those with low readability levels offered interactive multimedia options and have been endorsed by health seals.

Objectives Medical three‐dimensional (3D) printing, the fabrication of handheld models from medical images, has the potential to become an integral part of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (Oto‐HNS) with broad impact across its subspecialties. We review the basic principles of this technology and provide a comprehensive summary of reported clinical applications in the field. Methods Standard bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Central Registry for Randomized Trials) were searched from their inception to May 2018 for the terms: “3D printing,” “three‐dimensional printing,” “rapid prototyping,” “additive manufacturing,” “computer‐aided design,” “bioprinting,” and “biofabrication” in various combinations with the terms: “ptolaryngology,” “head and neck surgery,” and “otology.” Additional articles were identified from the references of retrieved articles. Only studies describing clinical applications of 3D printing were included. Results Of 5,532 records identified through database searching, 87 articles were included for qualitative synthesis. Widespread implementation of 3D printing in Oto‐HNS is still at its infancy. Nonetheless, it is increasingly being utilized across all subspecialties from preoperative planning to design and fabrication of patient‐specific implants and surgical guides. An emerging application considered highly valuable is its use as a teaching tool for medical education and surgical training. Conclusions As technology and training standards evolve and as healthcare moves toward personalized medicine, 3D printing is emerging as a key technology in patient care in Oto‐HNS. Treating physicians and surgeons who wish to stay abreast of these developments will benefit from a fundamental understanding of the principles and applications of this technology. Laryngoscope, 129:2045–2052, 2019

Quality assessment instruments Two solutions to address the issues of accuracy and reliability of online health information have been designed, DISCERN instrument and JAMA benchmarks. The DISCERN questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for analyzing written consumer health information [6]. It is comprised of 16 questions assessing both the reliability of the resource and quality of information about the treatment choice. The JAMA benchmarks provide a means for qualitatively assessing websites for the presence of authorship, attribution, currency and disclosure [7]. Thus, the purpose of this investigation is to assess the quality of online health information about the ERCP procedure.

Introduction: In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus. Public information created awareness as well as concern in the general population. There has been a reported decrease in the number of patients attending emergency departments (ED) during the pandemic. This is the first study to determine differences in the types of presenting illnesses, severity, and rate of resultant surgical intervention during the pandemic. Methods and Materials: We carried out a retrospective, observational cohort study comparing two groups of patients attending the ED at our tertiary-care academic hospital. A historical comparison cohort was obtained by reviewing the number of patients referred by the ED for abdominal CT between March 15 and April 15, 2020, compared with March 15 to April 15, 2019. CT reports were reviewed; primary pathologies, complications, and subsequent surgical intervention were documented and compared between the two groups. Results: In all, 733 patients were included in the 2019 cohort, and 422 patients were included in the 2020 cohort. In 2019, 32.7% had positive CT findings, increasing to 50.5% in 2020. The number of complications increased from 7.9% to 19.7%. The rate requiring surgical intervention increased from 26.3% to 47.6% in 2020. Conclusion: To date, there is little published data regarding the presentation and severity of illnesses during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This information has important public health implications, highlighting the need to educate patients to continue to present to hospital services during such crises, including if a purported second wave of COVID-19 arises.

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