Content quality of ophthalmic information on the internet.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known whether information about eye conditions on the Internet is complete and accurate to support patient or layman decision making.


METHODS
Quality of content modules about age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was analyzed on 20 web sites. Content analysis covered 72 criteria in 11 groups. Each single criterion was rated with '1' or '0' (yes/no answer).


RESULTS
The interrater reliability between two observers was almost perfect (kappa = 0.86). On average, 25.6% (+/-15.6) of the criteria were fulfilled. In the categories diagnostic procedures, therapy, preventive checkups, prevention and prognosis of AMD, only 12.7, 18.3, 20.0, 25.0 and 30.0%, respectively, of the required content was given.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows, based upon the example of university eye hospitals, that the full potential to provide laymen with firsthand and up-to-date information has by far not yet been achieved. Further research is needed on how the Internet influences the communication between patient and ophthalmologist.
Schalnus
Rainer
R
Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. schalnus@schalnus.com
Aulmann
Georg
G
Hellenbrecht
Anja
A
Hägele
Michael
M
Ohrloff
Christian
C
Lüchtenberg
Marc
M
D003142:Communication; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008268:Macular Degeneration; D015588:Observer Variation; D009885:Ophthalmology; D011786:Quality Control; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities