Evaluating the quality of online information about concussions

Objectives:Compare and assess information available on the Internet about the definition, symptoms, treatment, and return to play recommendations after a concussion. Methods:The top 10 websites generated by a Google search on the keyword “concussion” were evaluated by two independent researchers and three medical professionals for definition, signs, symptoms, home treatment, care-seeking advice, and return to play recommendations. The medical professionals also rated their willingness to recommend each website to patients. Results:Each website contained a general list of signs, symptoms, and home treatment. One website advised the use of ibuprofen, four advised against ibuprofen, and five made no medication recommendations. Nine websites contained guidance on seeking physician care, and eight recommended athletes not return to play until cleared by a healthcare professional. Conclusion:Nine of the websites contained information for each section evaluated; however, information was inconsistent. Healthcare providers should be aware of the variable quality of information available on the Internet and guide patients to more optimal resources.

[1]  Rebecca L. Stearns,et al.  National athletic trainers' association position statement: preventing sudden death in sports. , 2012, Journal of athletic training.

[2]  H. Redmond,et al.  Breast cancer information on the internet: analysis of accessibility and accuracy. , 2012, Breast.

[3]  Osman H Ahmed,et al.  Acute low back pain information online: an evaluation of quality, content accuracy and readability of related websites. , 2012, Manual therapy.

[4]  S. Almasi,et al.  An update on the diagnosis and management of concussion. , 2012, WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin.

[5]  Andrew H. Kaye,et al.  An overview of concussion in sport , 2012, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

[6]  Roma M. Harris,et al.  Searching for health: the topography of the first page , 2011, Ethics and Information Technology.

[7]  B. Fjordbak.  Protecting Student Athletes: Growing Number of States Pass Concussion-Related Legislation , 2011 .

[8]  Mark Crawford.  Concussions and chiropractic , 2011 .

[9]  Guy Faulkner,et al.  Physical activity and individuals with spinal cord injury: accuracy and quality of information on the Internet. , 2011, Disability and health journal.

[10]  D. Hommes,et al.  Quality of web‐based information on inflammatory bowel diseases , 2009, Inflammatory bowel diseases.

[11]  C. Ohrloff,et al.  Content Quality of Ophthalmic Information on the Internet , 2009, Ophthalmologica.

[12]  R. Cantu,et al.  Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2008. , 2009, Journal of athletic training.

[13]  R. Cantu,et al.  Consensus statement on concussion in sport – The 3rd International Conference on concussion in sport, held in Zurich, November 2008 , 2009, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

[14]  William P Meehan,et al.  Sport-Related Concussion , 2009, Pediatrics.

[15]  Funda Meric-Bernstam,et al.  Commonly cited website quality criteria are not effective at identifying inaccurate online information about breast cancer , 2008, Cancer.

[16]  A. Ostry,et al.  The quality of nutritional information available on popular websites: a content analysis. , 2007, Health education research.

[17]  J. Kingma,et al.  Guidelines for treatment of sport‐related concussions , 2007, JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

[18]  Hangwi Tang,et al.  Googling for a diagnosis—use of Google as a diagnostic aid: internet based study , 2006, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[19]  S. Kiesler,et al.  Portraits of American Internet UseFindings from the Pew Internet and American Life Project , 2006 .

[20]  Janet Morahan-Martin,et al.  How Internet Users Find, Evaluate, and Use Online Health Information: A Cross-Cultural Review , 2004, Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw..

[21]  U. Schmidt,et al.  An evaluation of web-based information. , 2004, The International journal of eating disorders.

[22]  A Sherman,et al.  Child safety education and the world wide web: an evaluation of the content and quality of online resources , 2004, Injury Prevention.

[23]  Michael McCrea,et al.  Unreported Concussion in High School Football Players: Implications for Prevention , 2004, Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine.

[24]  Christian Köhler,et al.  How do consumers search for and appraise health information on the world wide web? Qualitative study using focus groups, usability tests, and in-depth interviews , 2002, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[25]  Joseph A. Diaz,et al.  Patients’ use of the internet for medical information , 2002, Journal of General Internal Medicine.

[26]  R. J. Cline,et al.  Consumer health information seeking on the Internet: the state of the art. , 2001, Health education research.

[27]  H. Christensen,et al.  Quality of web based information on treatment of depression: cross sectional survey , 2000, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[28]  A S Wilkins,et al.  Expanding Internet access for health care consumers. , 1999, Health care management review.

[29]  H. J. Mcclung,et al.  The Internet as a source for current patient information. , 1998, Pediatrics.

[30]  P. Impicciatore,et al.  Reliability of health information for the public on the world wide web: systematic survey of advice on managing fever in children at home , 1997, BMJ.

[31]  R. Cantu.  Head injuries in sport. , 1996, British journal of sports medicine.

[32]  R. Cantu.  Emergencies in sports. , 1992, The Physician and sportsmedicine.

[33]  William P Meehan,et al.  Medical therapies for concussion. , 2011, Clinics in sports medicine.

[34]  Lee Rainie,et al.  The online health care revolution: how the web helps americans take better care of themselves , 2000 .

[35]  S. Ayers,et al.  1 Running head : Websites on postnatal mental health A review of postnatal mental health websites : Help for healthcare professionals and patients , 2022 .