Characterization and Assessment of German-language Internet-based Patient Information regarding Menière's Disease

Introduction:

Patients suffering from Menière's disease require profound education due to the complex diagnosis and treatment of the disease. As a result of digitalization, the internet has emerged to become an essential medium of information for patients. Aim of this study was to analyze the results of a German-language internet search about Menière's disease.

Methods:

Full-text search via Google for German-language text documents with the term „morbus meniere“. Categorization as well as calculation of readability statistics and the Flesh Reading-Ease Score (FRES; 0 = complex; 100 = easy). Assessment of the presence a Health On The Net (HON-) certification. Evaluation with the DISCERN questionnaire (1 = low, 5 = high quality) independently by two investigators. Identification of false information.

Results:

Mean word count was 1332.8 ± 1214.1, FRES 26.9 ± 15.3, and DISCERN 2.5 ± 0.9. 3 websites (10.0%) were certified by HON, 6 (20.0%) comprised false information. 14 websites (46.7%) originated from electronic media, 7 (23.3%) from medical device companies, 6 (20.0%) from physicians or hospitals, 2 (6.7%) from support groups, and one (3.3%) was a scientific paper. Information of physicians or hospitals appeared only starting from rank 12 on in the Google results page. In comparison, electronical media had a high amount of misinformation (3/14; 21.4%) und a low FRES of 21.4 ± 17.9.

Conclusions:

Electronic media dominate German-language internet-based patient information but exhibit considerable shortcomings. Health care providers are underrepresented and urged to provide, jointly with professional associations, high-quality patient information in the internet.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)