Relevance of CONSORT reporting criteria for research on eHealth interventions.
OBJECTIVE
In 1996, 2001, and 2010, the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) group released criteria for reporting critical information about randomized clinical trials [1,2]. These criteria were intended to improve the quality and completeness of reporting of RCTs in health care research. This paper discusses the relevance of the CONSORT recommendations for the reporting and design of eHealth research.


METHODS
We reviewed the CONSORT recommendations and discussed their particular relevance to eHealth (electronic information, support and/or communication resources designed to promote health) research. This review focuses on such issues as recruitment and screening of participants, description of treatment elements, and reporting of outcome data and adverse events.


RESULTS
eHealth research presents special challenges regarding the comprehensive and effective reporting of research information. However, the strategic application of CONSORT recommendations holds great promise for improving the quality and informativeness of eHealth research.


CONCLUSIONS
Investigators need to consider CONSORT recommendations at all stages of the research enterprise, including planning, execution and reporting in order to increase the informativeness of their research efforts.


CONCLUSIONS
The recommendations contained in this paper have the potential to enhance the public health and scientific value of eHealth research.
Baker
Timothy B
TB
Center for Excellence in Cancer Communication, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA. tbb@ctri.medicine.wisc.edu
Gustafson
David H
DH
Shaw
Bret
B
Hawkins
Robert
R
Pingree
Suzy
S
Roberts
Linda
L
Strecher
Victor
V
D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011643:Publishing / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards