title: Evaluation of information available on the Internet regarding anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
abstract: Searching the Internet is one of the most popular methods for acquiring information related to health. The Internet offers physicians and patients easy access to a wide range of medical material from anywhere in the world. For many patients, this information helps formulate decisions related to their health and health care. An important caveat is that virtually anything can be published on the Internet. Although academic publications require rigorous peer review, Internet websites have no regulatory body monitoring quality and content. With a lack of external regulation, the information retrieved may be incorrect or outdated. The Internet can be a valuable asset for educating patients, but because of significant variability physicians should be familiar with the quality of information available. This article discusses both the strengths and weaknesses of information available on the Internet regarding anterior cruciate ligament repair.
authors.affiliation: The Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson Sports Medicine Division, Philadelphia, PA 19010, USA.
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Patrick W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ciccotti
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Dodson
mesh_terms: D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*