Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2093-4378
eISSN 2093-4386
    J Korean Soc Spine Surg. 2020 Jun;27(2):77-83. Korean.
    Published online Jun 30, 2020.
    https://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2020.27.2.77
    © Copyright 2020 Korean Society of Spine Surgery
    Original Article

    Evaluation of the Source and Quality of Information Regarding Cervical Disc Herniation on Websites

    Yong Cheol Hong, M.D.,† Woo Jong Kim, M.D.,† Jae Wan Soh, M.D., Hee June Chang, M.D. and Chang Hwa Hong, M.D.
      • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Cheonan, Cheonan, Korea.
    • Corresponding author: Chang Hwa Hong, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Cheonan, 31, Suncheonhyang 6-gil, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, 31151, Korea. TEL: +82-41-570-2176, FAX: +82-41-572-7234, Email: chhong@sch.ac.kr

      †These Authors Contributed Equally to this Study as the Co-first Author.
    Received June 04, 2020; Revised June 12, 2020; Accepted June 22, 2020.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    Study Design

    In this original study, a cross-sectional analysis was performed to evaluate websites with information on cervical disc herniation.

    Objectives

    The purpose of this study was to assess the source and quality of information regarding cervical disc herniation available to patients on websites.

    Summary of Literature Review

    Studies have shown that 92% of the Korean population regularly accesses and searches for medical information on websites. While a large amount of information exists on websites, there is a possibility that patients will be misled due to inaccurate information because there are no established criteria for qualitative evaluation. In addition, little research has been conducted on websites that provide information about cervical disc herniation.

    Materials and Methods

    The search term “cervical disc herniation” was entered into the three most popular search engines in Korea (Naver, Daum, and Google). The first 50 websites displayed by each engine were selected for inclusion in this study and were categorized as academic, commercial, physician, non-physician, government organization, and unspecified. Information was assessed in terms of DISCERN, accuracy, and exhaustivity scores, and a total summary score was calculated for each website.

    Results

    Among the theoretical total of 150 websites, 83 unique and relevant websites were identified. The distribution by source was as follows: non-physician, 34.9%; physician, 27.7%; commercial, 13.3%; unspecified, 10.8%; academic, 9.6%; and government, 3.6%. Academic and government websites obtained the highest total summary scores, with statistical significance when compared to other types (p=0.03).

    Conclusions

    Website information on cervical disc herniation is generally limited. Institutional improvement efforts are needed to foster an environment where patients can receive high-quality medical information, and physician groups should play a central role in this process.

    Keywords
    Cervical disc herniation; Internet health information; Quality of information

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Summary of websites by source.

    Fig. 2
    DISCERN scores by source.

    Fig. 3
    Accuracy scores and exhaustivity scores by source.

    Fig. 4
    Total summary scores by source.

    Fig. 5
    Distribution of websites by total summary scores.

    Tables

    Table 1
    The DISCERN questionnaire for evaluating consumer health information

    Table 2
    Scale for accuracy score

    Table 3
    Scale for exhaustivity score

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    MeSH Terms
    Cross-Sectional Studies
    Evaluation Studies as Topic
    Humans
    Korea
    Search Engine
    Metrics
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