An Evaluation of Websites about Endoscopy under Conscious Sedation

Lee, Hyun Jeong; Oh, Young Jae; Hong, Il Chol; Lee, Jun Haeng; Rhee, Poong Lyul; Kim, Jae J; Rhee, Jong Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The internet has become an important source of medical information not only for doctors but also for patients. Therefore, this study evaluated the quality of medical information on endoscopy under conscious sedation on the internet in Korea.
METHODS
147 patients (mean age: 51 years, male:female 76:71) who visited the gastroenterology clinic were surveyed using a questionnaire about use of medical information on the Internet. The first 20 Internet sites using the key word 'endoscopy under sedation' were retrieved from the 5 most frequently used Internet search engines. The quality of information from a total of 63 websites was evaluated using a checklist.
RESULTS
Among a total 63 sites about endoscopy under sedation, 46 sites (73.0%) were made by private hospitals or private clinics and 60 sites (95%) were made for patients. The definition of endoscopy under conscious sedation was accurately mentioned in only 7 sites (11%). The complications and risk factors were mentioned in 29 sites (46%).
CONCLUSIONS
Most websites made by private hospitals or private clinics overempha sized the merits of sedation. Websites with a more balanced point of view by official organizations may help improve the quality of medical information on the Internet.