Evaluating Origin, Readability and Quality of German-language Internet-based Patient Information regarding Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Introduction:

As a result of digitalization, the internet has emerged as an essential medium of information for patients. In particular, patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) require profound education about their disease and treatment options due to unclear scientific evidence. Thus, the present study investigated a German-language internet search about SSNHL.

Methods:

The first 30 results of a Google-search with the term “hörsturz” (SSNHL in German) were categorized, a statistic of readability was performed and the Flesh Reading-Ease Score (FRES; 0 = complex; 100 = easy) calculated. A structured content analysis was performed via the DISCERN questionnaire (1 = low, 5 = high quality) independently by two investigators. Through the certification of the Health On The Net Foundation (HON), the abidance of recommended standards was assessed.

Results:

18 websites (60.0%) originated from electronic media, 7 (23.3%) from medical device companies (thereof 3 manufacturers of hearing devices), 2 (6.7%) from government institutions, and one of each (3.3%) from a professional association, a support group or a scientific paper. Mean word count was 1307.0 ± 840.2, last update 17.1 ± 32.5 months ago, and FRES 36.1 ± 13.9. Reading of the scientific paper was most difficult as assessed by FRES (13.7). Mean of DISCERN was 2.2 ± 0.7 with worst rating accounted for websites of medical companies (1.6 ± 0.5). 2 websites (6.7%) were HON certified, and 14 (46.7%) contained false information.

Conclusions:

Internet-based patient information should be assessed cautiously due to poor readability, potential conflict of interests, low quality, or wrong information in many cases. Hence, health care providers and professional associations are urged to provide high-quality patient information in the internet.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)