Radiation therapy and internet - what can patients expect? homepage analysis of german radiotherapy institutions.
BACKGROUND
the internet as a source of medical information has emerged during the last years. There is a confusing amount of medical websites with a great diversity of quality. Websites of radiotherapy institutions could offer a safe and an easy-to-control way to assist patients' requests.


METHODS
205 internet appearances of German radiotherapy institutions were analyzed in June 2009 (nonuniversity hospitals n = 108, medical practices n = 62, university hospitals n = 35). For the evaluation of each homepage verifiable criteria concerning basic information, service and medical issues were used.


RESULTS
the quality of information published via internet by different radiotherapy institutions showed a large variety. Basic information like telephone numbers, operating hours, and direction guidance were provided in 96.7%, 40%, and 50.7%, respectively. 85% of the websites introduced the staff, 50.2% supplied photos and 14% further information on the attending physicians. The mean amount of continuative links to other websites was 5.4, the mean amount of articles supplying medical information for patients summed up to 4.6. Medical practices and university hospitals had statistically significant more informative articles and links to other websites than nonuniversity hospitals. No statistically significant differences could be found in most other categories like service issues and basic information.


CONCLUSIONS
internet presences of radiotherapy institutions hold the chance to supply patients with professional and individualized medical information. While some websites are already using this opportunity, others show a lack of basic information or of user-friendliness.
Janssen
Stefan
S
Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany. janssen.stefan@mh-hannover.de
Meyer
Andreas
A
Vordermark
Dirk
D
Steinmann
Diana
D
D054626:Consumer Health Information; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012984:Software
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