TY - GEN
T1 - Currency of online breast cancer information
AU - Meric-Bernstam, Funda
AU - Walji, Muhammad
AU - Sagaram, Smitha
AU - Sagaram, Deepak
AU - Bernstam, Elmer
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Consumers are increasingly turning to the Web, expecting to find the latest health information. The purpose of this study was to assess the currency of online breast cancer information. We determined whether nine recent advances in breast cancer management were incorporated into 337 unique breast cancer Web pages. Two reviewers independently assessed content; if a Web page covered appropriate advances it was deemed to be 'current.' Of the 337 Web pages, 89 contained one or more advances. Of the 122 Web pages that had dates of update available, 49% had been updated within 6 months. Only 11%-37% of Web pages covered clinically accepted advances, even among Web pages that were updated after acceptance of the advance into clinical practice. We conclude that online health information is often not sufficiently current. Consumers searching for health information online should always consult an expert clinician before taking action.
AB - Consumers are increasingly turning to the Web, expecting to find the latest health information. The purpose of this study was to assess the currency of online breast cancer information. We determined whether nine recent advances in breast cancer management were incorporated into 337 unique breast cancer Web pages. Two reviewers independently assessed content; if a Web page covered appropriate advances it was deemed to be 'current.' Of the 337 Web pages, 89 contained one or more advances. Of the 122 Web pages that had dates of update available, 49% had been updated within 6 months. Only 11%-37% of Web pages covered clinically accepted advances, even among Web pages that were updated after acceptance of the advance into clinical practice. We conclude that online health information is often not sufficiently current. Consumers searching for health information online should always consult an expert clinician before taking action.
KW - breast neoplasms
KW - internet
KW - medical informatics
KW - patient satisfaction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=35748963557&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=35748963557&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
C2 - 17911860
AN - SCOPUS:35748963557
SN - 9781586037741
T3 - Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
SP - 973
EP - 976
BT - MEDINFO 2007 - Proceedings of the 12th World Congress on Health (Medical) Informatics
PB - IOS Press
T2 - 12th World Congress on Medical Informatics, MEDINFO 2007
Y2 - 20 August 2007 through 24 August 2007
ER -
