[Evaluation of the joint information platform : Information offered by German urologists].
BACKGROUND
The Internet is an important source for health issues and especially professional associations should offer reliable information. Since 2001 the professional German urological associations (DGU and BDU) have hosted a joint platform to inform patients. Because a complete relaunch is currently ongoing, we evaluated the users' needs and wishes.


METHODS
Using a pop-up on the website www.urologenportal.de , users were invited to complete a 26-item online survey. We used a validated questionnaire for evaluation of the website. Data acquisition was performed in an anonymised manner.


RESULTS
We received n = 200 complete responses from February through September 2015. Respondents' median age was 57 years (range 17-89 years); 79 % were male. Users rated relevance and comprehensibility of information as very good and superior compared to layout and structure of the website. Of the users 73 % were affected themselves, but only half of them reported to have consulted a urologist. At the time of the survey, 54 % of the respondents had to make a health-related decision. The website helped 54 % of these respondents in their decision-making and 20 % reported to have changed their mind due to the information obtained. The three most frequently requested urological topics were circumcision/phimosis (33 %), prostatic enlargement (19 %), and erectile dysfunction (18 %).


CONCLUSIONS
Currently the Urologenportal as the joint information platform hosted by German urologists is perceived as a comprehensible source of relevant information. The ongoing relaunch should focus particularly on the website's structure and layout.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland.
M
M
Baunacke
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland.
C
C
Groeben
Klinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Deutschland.
H
H
Borgmann
Urologische Gemeinschaftspraxis, Winsen/Luhe, Deutschland.
A
A
Schneider
Centrum für Reproduktionsmedizin und Andrologie, Abteilung für Klinische Andrologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland.
S
S
Kliesch
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland. johannes.huber@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
J
J
Huber
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D063005:Health Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000072638:Patient Portals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000072178:Urologists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review; D055815:Young Adult
Decision making; Health services research; Internet presence; Questionnaires; Websites