Varicose veins on the internet.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the quality of information on the Internet concerning varicose veins.


METHODS
review of retrieved pamphlets and their scoring for educational value.


METHODS
a sample of 41 documents were retrieved from the Internet using four "search engines".


METHODS
characteristics, including country of origin, authorship, length, and presence of references were recorded. Based on factors such as disease summary, treatment options and complications a weighted score was created by two independent observers.


RESULTS
eleven documents were published by an academic institution or professional organisation. Twenty-seven documents originated from private practice groups, the source of three was unidentifiable. The median weighted score was 21.5 (interquartile range: 7.5-48.5). Scores originating from non-profit making organisations were significantly higher than those from private practice groups (44.5 vs 13, p=0.04). The length of the document showed a significant positive correlation with its educational quality as measured by the information score (r=0.82, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
there is a plethora of data concerning varicose veins on the Internet. Some documents offer comprehensive information but many are confusing or misleading. Longer pamphlets and information presented by non-profit making organisations are more reliable than short documents and information offered by private medical groups.
Libertiny
G
G
Department of Surgery, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, UK.
Perkins
J M
JM
Magee
T R
TR
Galland
R B
RB
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014648:Varicose Veins