Pass, JH;
Patel, AH;
Stuart, S;
Barnacle, AM;
Patel, PA;
(2018)
Quality and readability of online patient information regarding sclerotherapy for venous malformations.
Pediatric Radiology
, 48
(5)
pp. 708-714.
10.1007/s00247-018-4074-3.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients often use the internet as a source of information about their condition and treatments. However, this information is unregulated and varies in quality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the readability and quality of online information for pediatric and adult patients and caregivers regarding sclerotherapy for venous malformations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: “Venous malformation sclerotherapy” was entered into Google, and results were reviewed until 20 sites that satisfied predefined inclusion criteria were identified. Scientific and non-patient-focused web pages were excluded. Readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score and American Medical Association reading difficulty recommendations and quality was assessed using Journal of the American Medical Association standards and assessing if the site displayed HONcode (Health on the Net Code) certification. Assessment of the breadth of relevant information was made using a predefined checklist. RESULTS: Forty-nine search engine results were reviewed before 20 sites were identified for analysis. Average Flesch Reading Ease Score was 44 (range: 24.2–70.1), representing a “fairly difficult” reading level. None of the sites had a Flesch Reading Ease Score meeting the American Medical Association recommendation of 80-90. Only one site met all four Journal of the American Medical Association quality criteria (average: 2.1). None of the sites displayed a HONcode seal. The information most frequently found was: sclerotherapy is performed by radiologists, multiple treatments may be needed and surgery is an alternative treatment. CONCLUSION: Online information regarding sclerotherapy for venous malformations is heterogeneous in quality and breadth of information, and does not meet readability recommendations for patient information. Radiologists should be aware of and account for this when meeting patients.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Quality and readability of online patient information regarding sclerotherapy for venous malformations |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00247-018-4074-3 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-018-4074-3 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Internet, online, patient information, venous malformation, sclerotherapy, children, Interventional Radiology |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Med Phys and Biomedical Eng |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10050014 |
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