1. Orthopaedic surgical information on the World Wide Web: fact or fiction?
- Author
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G. Fenelon, Barbara J. Burns, C. Tansey, and J. A. Sproule
- Subjects
education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Lumbar discectomy ,Population ,Carpal tunnel decompression ,World Wide Web ,Accountability ,Health care ,Medicine ,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine ,Surgery ,The Internet ,Teaching file ,education ,business - Abstract
In response to the creation and popularisation of the Internet as a convenient medium of communication, there has been an explosion of healthcare information readily available to many patients. However, this information is not screened or regulated, and claims may be unsubstantiated and misleading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nature and quality of orthopaedic surgical information on the World Wide Web (WWW). Three of the most commonly used search engines were assessed for information on three orthopaedic operations: carpal tunnel decompression, lumbar discectomy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Websites were classified and evaluated for completeness, accuracy, accountability and reference to a reliable source of information. The top (first) 20 relevant websites listed by each search engine for the three search phrases entered were judged, giving a total of 180 addresses. There were 21 triplications and 56 duplications, leaving a residue of 103 addresses for analysis. Health websites totalled 33%; the majority targeted the lay population (67%). Teaching file was the most common type of site (57%). Although 82% contained accurate information, in 67%, this information was incomplete. Of all websites reviewed, 85% were accountable for the information presented, but only 21% made references to reliable sources. The WWW offers easily accessible, patient-orientated orthopaedic surgical information. However, until an organised approach to website control is established, it is important for orthopaedic surgeons to emphasise to their patients that not everything they read is complete or accurate. Publicising sites known to be of high quality will promote safe browsing of the WWW.
- Published
- 2003
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