Surfing for Scoliosis: The Quality of Information Available on the Internet

Mathur, Sameer K.; Shanti, Nael; Brkaric, Mario; Sood, Vivek; Kubeck, Justin P.; Paulino, Carl B.; Merola, Andrew A.

doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000188266.22041.c2

Cited by 131 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It has already been determined that the This regression analysis was used to understand how/if parents searching the internet changes when any one of the independent variables (parent gender, age group, etc.) is varied, while the other independent variables are held fixed currently available information on the internet about scoliosis is of concerning quality [1]. This represents an opportunity to engage positively with both the pediatric patient and their parent using the internet for greater information provision-a benefit increasingly suggested in the age of the internet [11].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If one searches for the term 'scoliosis' using the Google search engine, 6.87 million results are declared in only 0.1 s (search performed 31 August 2011). This is a remarkable increase in volume of information available in less than a decade [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While providing accurate and comprehensible information, internet sites can equally provide misleading or difficult to understand information that can cause undue anxiety, appropriately termed 'cyberchondria' [1,3,4]. This raises concerns for both patient and doctor alike as the patient-doctor relationship can potentially be altered on the basis of the internet search [5][6][7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Internet use by parents of children attending a dedicated scoliosis outpatient clinic

et al. 2012

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Purpose No information exists on the level of internet use among parents of pediatric patients with scoliosis. The internet may represent a medium through which to provide information to augment the outpatient consultation. The aim of this research was to establish the prevalence of internet use amongst a cohort of parents attending a pediatric scoliosis outpatient clinic. Methods A previously used questionnaire (Baker et al., Eur Spine J, 19:1776-1779, 2010) was distributed to parents attending a dedicated scoliosis outpatient clinic with their children. Demographic data and details about use of the internet were collected. Results Fifty-eight percent of respondents had used the internet to search for information on scoliosis, and 94 % were interested in a local internet provided information provision. A positive history of corrective surgery and possession of health insurance were independent positive predictors of internet use. Conclusions As surgeons we need to be aware of our patients' use of the internet, and there is the opportunity to use this medium to provide additional education.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Internet use by parents of children attending a dedicated scoliosis outpatient clinic

et al. 2012

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“…In general, Web sites failed to provide information conforming to evidence. Another paper evaluating the quality and accuracy of information on scoliosis on the Internet reached very similar conclusions [21]. The large majority of the Web sites are of limited and poor quality, with 90% scoring less than 16 of a possible 32 on a content quality score.…”

Section: Computer-based Patient Education: Eurospine Patient Linementioning

confidence: 72%

“…The large majority of the Web sites are of limited and poor quality, with 90% scoring less than 16 of a possible 32 on a content quality score. The potential for dissemination of inadequate or misleading information has been recognized [21]. A standard of ethics for the dissemination of patient-specific health information has not been universally accepted or imposed on the myriad of Web portals available on the Internet, but some organizations have combined to develop an e-Health code of ethics and quality criteria for healthrelated Web sites [1].…”

Section: Computer-based Patient Education: Eurospine Patient Linementioning

confidence: 99%

Patient information and education with modern media: the Spine Society of Europe Patient Line

Pellisé¹,

Sell

2009

Eur Spine J

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The role of the patient as an active partner in health care, and not just a passive object of diagnostic testing and medical treatment, is widely accepted. Providing information to patients is considered a crucial issue and the central focus in patient educational activities. It is necessary to educate patients on the nature of the outcomes and the benefits and risks of the procedures to involve them in the decision-making process and enable them to achieve fully informed consent. Information materials must contain scientifically reliable information and be presented in a form that is acceptable and useful to patients. Given the mismatch between public beliefs and current evidence, strategies for changing the public perceptions are required. Traditional patient education programmes have to face the potential barriers of storage, access problems and the need to keep content materials up to date. A computer-based resource provides many advantages, including ''just-intime'' availability and a private learning environment. The use of the Internet for patient information needs will continue to expand as Internet access becomes readily available. However, the problem is no longer in finding information, but in assessing the credibility and validity of it. Health Web sites should provide health information that is secure and trustworthy. The large majority of the Web sites providing information related to spinal disorders are of limited and poor quality. Patient Line (PL), a patient information section in the Web site of Eurospine, was born in 2005 to offer patients and the general population the accumulated expertise represented by the members of the society and provide up-to-date information related to spinal disorders. In areas where evidence is scarce, Patient Line provides a real-time opinion of the EuroSpine membership. The published data reflect the pragmatic and the common sense range of treatments offered by the Eurospine membership. The first chapters have been dedicated to sciatica, scoliosis, cervical pain syndromes, low back pain and motion preservation surgery. Since 2008, the information has been available in English, German, French and Spanish. The goal is for Patient Line to become THE European patient information Web site on spinal disorders, providing reliable and updated best practice and evidence-based information where the evidence exists.

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Assessing the Accuracy and Readability of Online Health Information for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

et al. 2016

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Surfing for Scoliosis: The Quality of Information Available on the Internet

Cited by 131 publications

References 19 publications

Internet use by parents of children attending a dedicated scoliosis outpatient clinic

Internet use by parents of children attending a dedicated scoliosis outpatient clinic

Patient information and education with modern media: the Spine Society of Europe Patient Line

Assessing the Accuracy and Readability of Online Health Information for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

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