Specialized medical search-engines are no better than general search-engines in sourcing consumer information about androgen deficiency.
BACKGROUND
The Internet provides consumers with access to online health information; however, identifying relevant and valid information can be problematic. Our objectives were firstly to investigate the efficiency of search-engines, and then to assess the quality of online information pertaining to androgen deficiency in the ageing male (ADAM).


METHODS
Keyword searches were performed on nine search-engines (four general and five medical) to identify website information regarding ADAM. Search-engine efficiency was compared by percentage of relevant websites obtained via each search-engine. The quality of information published on each website was assessed using the DISCERN rating tool.


RESULTS
Of 4927 websites searched, 47 (1.44%) and 10 (0.60%) relevant websites were identified by general and medical search-engines respectively. The overall quality of online information on ADAM was poor. The quality of websites retrieved using medical search-engines did not differ significantly from those retrieved by general search-engines.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the poor quality of online information relating to ADAM, it is evident that medical search-engines are no better than general search-engines in sourcing consumer information relevant to ADAM.
Ilic
D
D
Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. dragan.ilic@med.monash.edu.au
Bessell
T L
TL
Silagy
C A
CA
Green
S
S
D000728:Androgens / Q000172:deficiency*; D003256:Community Participation; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000592:standards*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008491:Medical Informatics Applications
D000728:Androgens