Health‐related Google searches performed by parents of pediatric oncology patients

Abstract

Background Little is known about the specific information parents of children with cancer search for online. Understanding the content of parents’ searches over time could offer insight into what matters most to parents and identify knowledge gaps that could inform more comprehensive approaches to family education and support. Methods We describe parents’ health‐related Google searches starting six months before cancer diagnosis and extending through the date of study enrollment, which was at least one month after initiating cancer treatment. Searches were obtained retrospectively and grouped into health‐related and non‐health‐related categories. The median time to parent enrollment from date of cancer diagnosis was 264 days. Results Parents searched for health‐related topics more frequently than the general population (13% vs 5%). Health‐related searches increased in the months preceding the child's cancer diagnosis and most commonly pertained to symptoms and logistics, “directions to hospital.” Health‐related search volume peaked about a month after cancer diagnosis when general health‐related searches were present in addition to cancer‐specific searches. Eighteen percent of health‐related searches were cancer specific, and of these cancer‐specific searches, 54% pertained to support, for example “cancer quote for son.” Conclusions Google search content offers insight into what matters to parents of cancer patients. Understanding search content could inform more comprehensive approaches to family education and support initiatives.

Online information related to childhood cancer and COVID-19 pandemic: a thematic analysis

“…(3) having the date of publication between March and May 2020. The search period was defined as the search for information by families with children with cancer was concentrated in the first sixty days after the cancer diagnosis, declining after that (3) . Therefore, this study took publications dated between 03/11 to 05/11/2020.…”

“…Informational support for the family of children with cancer is essential, it integrates their coping process, as well as eases stress, uncertainties and insecurities (1) . The internet is a resource for this (1)(2)(3) , families of children with cancer would like to receive from the physicians indicative websites for informational consultations (1) . However, sometimes the quality of the information found on the internet is a concern for parents and professionals, promoting fear in using it (1)(2) .…”

“…The trajectory of the disease and the treatment of childhood cancer require families to make decisions. Thus, information is needed (4) and they usually lead the families in their more intense search in times of diagnosis and/or in the introduction of therapies (3) . Misinformation and/or information overload do not usually contribute to family functioning (4) .…”

YouTube as a source of information on clinical trials for paediatric cancer

“…Even though the informed consent procedure should support parents in their decision-making process, studies indicate that parents often have difficulties understanding the information provided or find it overwhelming (Chappuy et al, 2005;Chappuy et al, 2010;Eder et al, 2007). Not surprisingly, Internet and social media are therefore essential sources of health communication (Chou et al, 2009;Gage-Bouchard et al, 2017), as well as a specific source of cancer information to many parents (Dominguez & Sapina, 2015;Gage & Panagakis, 2012;Phillips et al, 2019). Although online searches for clinical trials continue to increase (Dolinsky & Metz, 2006;Patel et al, 2010), the resulting information is usually on a reading level beyond the literacy capabilities of the average reader.…”

“…With over five billion videos watched per day (Android Authority, 2019) and more than two billion unique users monthly (Business of Apps, 2020), there is the potential to reach parents through visual means. Parents use the Internet to seek support and information related to their children, and they frequently search much more for health-related topics than the general population (Phillips et al, 2019). Studies have examined the quality of YouTube information on children's health issues but, unfortunately, many videos have poor quality, are neither accurate nor free of bias, and are often anecdotal in nature (Clerici et al, 2012;Madathil et al, 2015;Strychowsky et al, 2013).…”