Korean J Gastroenterol.  2009 May;53(5):292-296. 10.4166/kjg.2009.53.5.292.

An Evaluation of Web-based Information about Barrett's Esophagus in Korea

• Park SH
• Lee JH
• Kim KH
• Kang KJ
• Kim SJ
• Lee SC
• Kim JY
• Rhee PL
• Kim JJ
• Rhee JC

• KMID: 1767685
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2009.53.5.292

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Internet has become an important source of medical information not only for doctors but also patients. However, information available in the Internet may provide wrong or even harmful knowledge to the public. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of Internet-based medical information about Barrett's esophagus in Korea.
METHODS
The first 50 Internet links were retrieved from the Google using the key word 'Barrett's esophagus'. The quality of information from a total of 49 websites was evaluated using a checklist.
RESULTS
Among total 49 sites related to 'Barrett's esophagus', only 4 sites (8.2%) were made by hospitals or clinics, and 11 sites (22.4%) were for patients. Of the 49 sites, only one web site (2.0%) had all HON CODE principles (authority, complementarity, confidentiality, attribution, justifiability, transparency of authorship, transparency of sponsorship, honesty in advertising and editorial policy). Sixteen Internet links (32.0%) had fair contents for the definition, and 24 links (48.0%) for the diagnosis, and 15 links (30.0%) for the treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Information about Barrett's esophagus was incomplete in the majority of medical web sites. It will bring about confusion in patients who want to get information about Barrett's esophagus from the Internet. There is a need for better evidence-based information about Barrett's esophagus on the web.

Keyword

Internet; Barrett's esophagus

MeSH Terms

*Barrett Esophagus/diagnosis/etiology/therapy
Health Education
Humans
Information Services
*Internet
Korea
Medical Informatics
Quality of Health Care
User-Computer Interface

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