Informing, advising, or persuading? An assessment of bone mineral density testing information from consumer health websites.
Greater access to web-based information on health-care interventions might result in greater participation by patients in care and self-care decisions, but only improve health outcomes if the indicated actions produce the intended benefits. Unbiased research on benefits and harms of health information can provide a basis for evidence-based patient information systems.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of the information content on bone-mineral density (BMD) testing posted on consumer health websites (CHWS).


METHODS
Five popular engines (Yahoo, MSN, AOL, Lycos, and Go.com) were used to search for patient information on bone densitometry. The fifteen websites that supplied relevant content and were identified by three of the five search engines were selected in order of popularity of the search engine and primacy of placement. Six BMD reports from health technology assessment (HTA) organizations were used as a standard of scientific quality. These were identified from the HTA Database at York University United Kingdom and published between 1996 and 2001. Content was extracted from both document types, and these sets were compared independently by two reviewers.


RESULTS
The majority of CHWS identified by popular search engines do not disclose the limited capacity of BMD to discriminate between low-risk individuals and those who will suffer future fractures. CHWS generally present BMD testing as quick, painless, noninvasive, and as being recommended, based on risk factors that are widespread among the general public. BMD testing information is prominently paired on CHWS sites with information on osteoporosis, with an emphasis on "silent disease" and the devastating consequences of advanced disease. Sponsors of CHWS sites are frequently either providers of BMD testing or companion drugs, and consequently in a position of conflict of interest with regard to decisions to undergo BMD testing. HTA organizations have no documented conflict of interest, nor do they invoke emotional arguments. Their approach is to emphasize the effects of testing on populations, on the basis of referenced research findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Content analysis demonstrates the omissions and divergence of information on BMD testing available to consumers on the Internet, as compared with HTA reports. The content of HTA reports has undergone rigorous systematic and peer review; therefore, their findings may be useful to consumers. This information is not generally accessible to patients using the most popular Internet search engines. Inaccurate and incomplete information may cause harm by deflecting patients from optimal decisions.
Green
Carolyn J
CJ
BC Office of Health Technology Assessment, University of British Columbia, Canada. cjgreen@uvic.ca
Kazanjian
Arminée
A
Helmer
Diane
D
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D015519:Bone Density; D003256:Community Participation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000175:diagnosis; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000592:standards