The Impact of Health Literacy on Trust in Online Plastic Surgery Content: A Nationwide Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: On most online platforms, just about anyone can disseminate plastic surgery (PS) content regardless of their educational or professional background. This study examines the general public's perceptions of the accuracy of online PS content and the factors that contribute to the discernment of credible information. METHODS: The Amazon Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform was used to survey adults in the United States. The survey assessed respondent demographics, health literacy (HL), and perceptions of online PS content accuracy. T-tests, Chi-square tests, and post hoc analyses with Bonferroni corrections assessed differences between HL groups. Multivariate linear regressions assessed associations between sociodemographic variables and perceptions of online content. RESULTS: In total, 428 (92.0%) of 465 complete responses were analyzed. The median age of respondents was 32 y (interquartile range: 29-40). Online sources were predominantly perceived to have a high degree of accuracy, with mean scores of various platforms ranging from 3.8 to 4.5 (1 = not accurate at all; 5 = extremely accurate). The low HL group perceived social media sites and review sites to be more accurate than the high HL respondents, particularly for Reddit (P = 0.004), Pinterest (P = 0.040), and Snapchat (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: There is a concerning relationship between low HL and the perceptions of the accuracy of online PS sources. This study underscores the need for education campaigns, the development of trustworthy online resources, and initiatives to improve HL. By fostering a more informed public, individuals seeking PS can make better informed decisions.

Is This Safe? Examining Safety Assessments of Illicit Drug Purchasing on Social Media Using Conjoint Analysis.

Background: Illicit substance sales facilitated by social media platforms are a growing public health issue given recent increases in overdose deaths, including an alarming rise in cases of fentanyl poisoning. However, little is known about how online users evaluate what features of social media posts convey safety, which can influence their intent to source illicit substances. Objectives: This study adapts conjoint analysis which assessed how attributes of social media posts (i.e., features) influence safety evaluations of mock posts selling illicit substances. 440 participants were recruited online for self-reporting use or purchase of controlled substances or prescription medicines recreationally. The following attributes were tested: drug packaging, drug offerings, profile photo of seller, payment info provided, and use of emojis. Results: Packaging was ranked the most important attribute (Average Importance =43.68, Offering=14.94, Profile=13.86, Payment=14.11, Emoji=13.41), with posts that displayed drugs in pill bottles assessed as the most safe. Attribute levels for advertising multiple drugs, having a blank profile photo, including payment information, and including emojis also ranked higher in perceived safety. Rankings were consistent across tested demographic factors (i.e., gender, age, and income). Survey results show that online pharmacies were most likely to be perceived as safe for purchasing drugs and medications. Additionally, those who were younger in age, had higher income, and identified as female were more likely to purchase from a greater number of platforms. Conclusions: These findings can assist in developing more precise content moderation for platforms seeking to address this ongoing threat to public safety.

Assessing the Readability of Online Patient Education Materials in Obstetrics and Gynecology Using Traditional Measures: Comparative Analysis and Limitations.

BACKGROUND: Patient education materials (PEMs) can be vital sources of information for the general population. However, despite American Medical Association (AMA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommendations to make PEMs easier to read for patients with low health literacy, they often do not adhere to these recommendations. The readability of online PEMs in the obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) field, in particular, has not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE: The study sampled online OB/GYN PEMs and aimed to examine (1) agreeability across traditional readability measures (TRMs), (2) adherence of online PEMs to AMA and NIH recommendations, and (3) whether the readability level of online PEMs varied by web-based source and medical topic. This study is not a scoping review, rather, it focused on scoring the readability of OB/GYN PEMs using the traditional measures to add empirical evidence to the literature. METHODS: A total of 1576 online OB/GYN PEMs were collected via 3 major search engines. In total 93 were excluded due to shorter content (less than 100 words), yielding 1483 PEMs for analysis. Each PEM was scored by 4 TRMs, including Flesch-Kincaid grade level, Gunning fog index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, and the Dale-Chall. The PEMs were categorized based on publication source and medical topic by 2 research team members. The readability scores of the categories were compared statistically. RESULTS: Results indicated that the 4 TRMs did not agree with each other, leading to the use of an averaged readability (composite) score for comparison. The composite scores across all online PEMs were not normally distributed and had a median at the 11th grade. Governmental PEMs were the easiest to read amongst source categorizations and PEMs about menstruation were the most difficult to read. However, the differences in the readability scores among the sources and the topics were small. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that online OB/GYN PEMs did not meet the AMA and NIH readability recommendations and would be difficult to read and comprehend for patients with low health literacy. Both findings connected well to the literature. This study highlights the need to improve the readability of OB/GYN PEMs to help patients make informed decisions. Research has been done to create more sophisticated readability measures for medical and health documents. Once validated, these tools need to be used by web-based content creators of health education materials.

Publicly Available, Interactive Web-Based Tools to Support Advance Care Planning: Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing number of interactive web-based advance care planning (ACP) support tools, which are web-based aids in any format encouraging reflection, communication, and processing of publicly available information, most of which cannot be found in the peer-reviewed literature. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to conduct a systematic review of web-based ACP support tools to describe the characteristics, readability, and quality of content and investigate whether and how they are evaluated. METHODS: We systematically searched the web-based gray literature databases OpenGrey, ClinicalTrials.gov, ProQuest, British Library, Grey Literature in the Netherlands, and Health Services Research Projects in Progress, as well as Google and app stores, and consulted experts using the following eligibility criteria: web-based, designed for the general population, accessible to everyone, interactive (encouraging reflection, communication, and processing of information), and in English or Dutch. The quality of content was evaluated using the Quality Evaluation Scoring Tool (score 0-28-a higher score indicates better quality). To synthesize the characteristics of the ACP tools, readability and quality of content, and whether and how they were evaluated, we used 4 data extraction tables. RESULTS: A total of 30 tools met the eligibility criteria, including 15 (50%) websites, 10 (33%) web-based portals, 3 (10%) apps, and 2 (7%) with a combination of formats. Of the 30 tools, 24 (80%) mentioned a clear aim, including 7 (23%) that supported reflection or communication, 8 (27%) that supported people in making decisions, 7 (23%) that provided support to document decisions, and 2 (7%) that aimed to achieve all these aims. Of the 30 tools, 7 (23%) provided information on the development, all of which were developed in collaboration with health care professionals, and 3 (10%) with end users. Quality scores ranged between 11 and 28, with most of the lower-scoring tools not referring to information sources. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of ACP support tools are available on the web, varying in the quality of content. In the future, users should be involved in the development process of ACP support tools, and the content should be substantiated by scientific evidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020184112; https://tinyurl.com/mruf8b43.

Lt: A Resource to Future-Proof the Laboratory in Uncertain Times.

The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly challenged educators to transition previously in-person courses to an online environment. This has been especially difficult for laboratory courses where students must experience the process of science to develop lab skills and scientific competencies. Due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, it is essential that instructional resources are flexible and robust for use in various potential learning environments. The Lt software platform (ADInstruments) is a resource designed to support in-person, online, and hybrid learning environments. Lt supports the in-person lab experience by integrating with data collection hardware and facilitating collaboration through group-based activity. In addition, the platform also provides several avenues for teaching online labs using the same experiments that would be done on campus. At home, students can analyze Lt's built-in example data, or be supplied with low-cost hardware to complete labs remotely. In conjunction with other online tools, Lt can support online group work and student collaboration. Lt hosts a wide range of pre-built lab experiments and activities covering neuroscience, anatomy, physiology, clinical health science, biology, and chemistry. Although the material can be used "out-of-the-box", the content is completely editable and new labs can be created. Feedback from students suggests that Lt has proved valuable for supporting flexible instructional practices during the pandemic.

Deceptive Online Content Detection Using Only Message Characteristics and a Machine Learning Trained Expert System.

This paper considers the use of a post metadata-based approach to identifying intentionally deceptive online content. It presents the use of an inherently explainable artificial intelligence technique, which utilizes machine learning to train an expert system, for this purpose. It considers the role of three factors (textual context, speaker background, and emotion) in fake news detection analysis and evaluates the efficacy of using key factors, but not the inherently subjective processing of post text itself, to identify deceptive online content. This paper presents initial work on a potential deceptive content detection tool and also, through the networks that it presents for this purpose, considers the interrelationships of factors that can be used to determine whether a post is deceptive content or not and their comparative importance.

Who Is Exposed to Harmful Online Content? The Role of Risk and Protective Factors Among Czech, Finnish, and Spanish Adolescents.

Although adolescents' exposure to harmful online content has been linked to decreased subjective well-being and offline risky behaviors, there is limited research on the factors that underlie such problematic online behavior. Using the conceptual framework of Problem Behavior Theory, this study examined the role of risk (i.e., emotional problems, sensation seeking) and protective (i.e., the quality of family environment, social support from friends) factors in exposure to harmful online content among 4473 12- to 16-year-olds (M = 13.9, SD = 1.3, 49% girls) in the Czech Republic, Finland, and Spain. Individual country samples included 1848 adolescents from the Czech Republic (age: M = 14, SD = 1.4; 51% girls), 788 from Finland (age: M = 13.9, SD = 1.3; 52% girls), and 1837 from Spain (age: M = 13.5, SD = 1.2; 47% girls). In all of the sampled countries, emotional problems and sensation seeking served as risk factors, whereas good family relationships were protective. In some countries, the effects of emotional problems and sensation seeking were moderated by the quality of the family environment and social support from friends. These moderating effects suggest that individual risk factors for exposure to harmful online content may be buffered by a positive family environment and friends' support. The findings revealed similarities in the risk and protective factors underlying online problem behavior across three different countries. They demonstrate that the mechanisms proposed by Problem Behavior Theory can help to understand the etiology of adolescent problem behavior across different countries as well as offline and online contexts.

'Dr Google': trends in online interest in prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in online search behaviours related to prostate cancer on a national and regional scale using a dominant major search engine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Google Trends was queried using the terms 'prostate cancer', 'prostate-specific antigen' (PSA), and 'prostate biopsy' between January 2004 and January 2019. Search volume index (SVI), a measure of relative search volume on Google, was obtained for all terms and examined by region and time period: pre-US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Grade D draft recommendation on PSA screening; during the active Grade D recommendation; and after publication of the recent Grade C draft recommendation. RESULTS: Online interest in PSA screening differed by time period (P < 0.01). The SVI for PSA screening was greater pre-Grade D draft recommendation (82.7) compared to during the recommendation (74.5), while the SVI for PSA screening was higher post-Grade C draft recommendation (90.4) compared to both prior time periods. Similar results were observed for prostate biopsy and prostate cancer searches. At the US state level, online interest in prostate cancer was highest in South Carolina (SVI 100) and lowest in Hawaii (SVI 64). For prostate cancer treatment options, online interest in cryotherapy, prostatectomy and prostate cancer surgery overall increased, while searches for active surveillance, external beam radiation, brachytherapy and high-intensity focused ultrasonography remained stable. CONCLUSION: Online interest in prostate cancer has changed over time, particularly in accordance with USPSTF screening guidelines. Google Trends may be a useful tool in tracking public interest in prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, especially as it relates to major shifts in practice guidelines.

Assessment of American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association-Approved Teams' Websites for Patient-Oriented Content and Readability.

OBJECTIVE: Informed decision-making relies on available information, including online resources. We evaluated the content and readability of websites published by American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA)-approved cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) teams in the United States. DESIGN: Team websites were reviewed, and teams with no accessible website or <30 sentences of content were excluded. Website content was scored by presence/absence of 20 variables derived from ACPA approval standards. Readability was evaluated with 8 scales. Readability was then compared to American Medical Association (AMA) recommendations. The relationship between website content and readability was assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Content and readability of team websites. RESULTS: From 167 reviewed teams, 47 (28.1%) had nonfunctional links, 17 (10.2%) had no accessible website, and 39 (23.4%) had <30 sentences. The average content score for all 111 team websites included was 14.5 (2.6) of 20. The combined average reading level across all scales (10.7 [1.9]) exceeded the AMA-recommended sixth-grade reading level; this finding held true for each individual website. Children's Hospital-affiliated teams (n = 86) had a significantly higher content score (14.8 vs 13.5; P = .03) and better readability as evidenced by lower reading grade level (10.5 vs 11.4; P = .04). On linear regression, a higher content score significantly predicted better readability (ß = -0.226; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Websites published by ACPA-approved CLP teams vary in accessibility and content and exceed the recommended reading level. These findings could inform future efforts to improve patient-oriented resources.

Knowledge translation in men's health research: development and delivery of content for use online.

BACKGROUND: Men can be hard to reach with face-to-face health-related information, while increasingly, research shows that they are seeking health information from online sources. Recognizing this trend, there is merit in developing innovative online knowledge translation (KT) strategies capable of translating research on men's health into engaging health promotion materials. While the concept of KT has become a new mantra for researchers wishing to bridge the gap between research evidence and improved health outcomes, little is written about the process, necessary skills, and best practices by which researchers can develop online knowledge translation. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to illustrate some of the processes and challenges involved in, and potential value of, developing research knowledge online to promote men's health. METHODS: We present experiences of KT across two case studies of men's health. First, we describe a study that uses interactive Web apps to translate knowledge relating to Canadian men's depression. Through a range of mechanisms, study findings were repackaged with the explicit aim of raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with men's depression and/or help-seeking. Second, we describe an educational resource for teenage men about unintended pregnancy, developed for delivery in the formal Relationship and Sexuality Education school curricula of Ireland, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), and South Australia. The intervention is based around a Web-based interactive film drama entitled "If I Were Jack". RESULTS: For each case study, we describe the KT process and strategies that aided development of credible and well-received online content focused on men's health promotion. In both case studies, the original research generated the inspiration for the interactive online content and the core development strategy was working with a multidisciplinary team to develop this material through arts-based approaches. In both cases also, there is an acknowledgment of the need for gender and culturally sensitive information. Both aimed to engage men by disrupting stereotypes about men, while simultaneously addressing men through authentic voices and faces. Finally, in both case studies we draw attention to the need to think beyond placement of content online to delivery to target audiences from the outset. CONCLUSIONS: The case studies highlight some of the new skills required by academics in the emerging paradigm of translational research and contribute to the nascent literature on KT. Our approach to online KT was to go beyond dissemination and diffusion to actively repackage research knowledge through arts-based approaches (videos and film scripts) as health promotion tools, with optimal appeal, to target male audiences. Our findings highlight the importance of developing a multidisciplinary team to inform the design of content, the importance of adaptation to context, both in terms of the national implementation context and consideration of gender-specific needs, and an integrated implementation and evaluation framework in all KT work.

Accredited hand surgery fellowship Web sites: analysis of content and accessibility.

PURPOSE: To assess the accessibility and content of accredited hand surgery fellowship Web sites. METHODS: A list of all accredited hand surgery fellowships was obtained from the online database of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). Fellowship program information on the ASSH Web site was recorded. All fellowship program Web sites were located via Google search. Fellowship program Web sites were analyzed for accessibility and content in 3 domains: program overview, application information/recruitment, and education. RESULTS: At the time of this study, there were 81 accredited hand surgery fellowships with 169 available positions. Thirty of 81 programs (37%) had a functional link on the ASSH online hand surgery fellowship directory; however, Google search identified 78 Web sites. Three programs did not have a Web site. Analysis of content revealed that most Web sites contained contact information, whereas information regarding the anticipated clinical, research, and educational experiences during fellowship was less often present. Furthermore, information regarding past and present fellows, salary, application process/requirements, call responsibilities, and case volume was frequently lacking. Overall, 52 of 81 programs (64%) had the minimal online information required for residents to independently complete the fellowship application process. CONCLUSIONS: Hand fellowship program Web sites could be accessed either via the ASSH online directory or Google search, except for 3 programs that did not have Web sites. Although most fellowship program Web sites contained contact information, other content such as application information/recruitment and education, was less frequently present. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides comparative data regarding the clinical and educational experiences outlined on hand fellowship program Web sites that are of relevance to residents, fellows, and academic hand surgeons. This study also draws attention to various ways in which the hand surgery fellowship application process can be made more user-friendly and efficient.

Redefining online biology education: a study on interactive branched video utilisation and student learning experiences.

This study evaluated the use of interactive, branched videos compared with traditional passive linear delivery for enhancing student engagement and learning in online courses. Undergraduate biology students were provided with either branched decision-based or linear videos on cell biology and protein purification as self-guided or consolidation activities. While the interactive branched videos did not improve learning gains, thematic analysis revealed that students found them more enjoyable and preferable for revision. However, most students felt linear passive videos were more logically structured for core content delivery. In a revised format, with clearer scaffolding, the interactive branched videos were perceived as significantly more engaging and useful when utilised for a problem-solving activity. Students welcomed the autonomy of directing their learning path but desired support to avoid missing critical information. Overall, thoughtfully designed branched videos can increase student motivation, but their utility depends on context. Our findings indicate the importance of balancing interactivity, clear organisation and purpose when incorporating these innovative formats into online learning. Branched videos show promise for increasing engagement but require intentional instructional design tailored to learning objectives.

Considerations for Clinician-Educators Developing Online Educational Content: A Narrative Review.

In modern medical education, clinician-educators are increasingly called upon to develop online education to complement or replace in-person instruction. Despite a growing need for online curricula, many medical professionals lack training and experience in digital content development, deployment, assessment, and maintenance. Previous studies offer guidance on some aspects of online education development but often overlook key components, such as accessibility, legal considerations, financial implications, and sustainability challenges. This review offers medical professionals a broad overview of these important issues. We discuss various pedagogical considerations, including aligning educational goals and objectives with the digital content, choosing the appropriate online interface, and employing strategies to mitigate cognitive load while maximizing accessibility to create an inclusive online learning environment. We offer practical tips for creating effective, high-quality, and enduring audio-visual content and reflect on initial content deployment, testing, assessment, and revision. We discuss the intricacies of obtaining continuing medical education credits when the target audience includes faculty members. We address several legal issues online educators must consider, such as copyright laws, intellectual property rights, and medical liability. The review concludes with a discussion of sustainability mechanisms and financial considerations to ensure the long-term success of the educational program. Our recommendations aim to equip medical professionals embarking on a digital education journey with practical tools to produce effective, inclusive, and sustainable online content while considering legal implications.

An analysis of oral contraceptive related videos on TikTok.

Background: TikTok has increasingly become a source of information about reproductive health. Patients seeking health information about oral contraception on TikTok may be influenced by videos containing misinformation or biased information. Objective: This social media infodemiological study aims to provide a descriptive content analysis of the quality and reliability of oral contraceptive health information on TikTok. Study Design: Researchers screened 1,000 TikTok videos from December 2022 to March 2023 retrieved under various search terms related to oral contraceptives. Data, including engagement metrics such as views, likes, comments, saves, and shares, were recorded. Video content including contraceptive methods discussed, efficacy, tolerability, and side effects were recorded. Two reviewers independently used a modified DISCERN criteria and Global Quality Scale (GQS) to assess the quality and reliability of information for each video. Results: Five hundred seventy-four videos were analyzed after applying exclusion criteria. Videos had a median length of 27 seconds (Q1=13sec, Q3=57sec) and received a median of 35,000 total views (Q1=4856 views, Q3=411,400 views) and 166 views per day (Q1=28 views per day, Q3=2021 views per day). Video creators were 83.3% female and 58.7% white. The mean modified DISCERN score was 1.63 (SD=1.06) and the mean GQS score was 2.28 (SD=1.37). Video creators were 83.3% female and 58.7% white. The mean modified DISCERN score was 1.63 (SD=1.06) and the mean GQS score was 2.28 (SD=1.37). The most common topic discussed in the videos was the effects of contraception. Healthcare professionals had significantly higher DISCERN and GQS scores (p<.001) than non-healthcare professionals. However, they received fewer views, likes, and comments on their videos (p<.001). Healthcare professionals were 86 times more likely than non-healthcare professionals to post educational videos (p<.001). However, non-educational content received significantly more views, likes, and comments than educational content (p<.001). Conclusion: TikTok videos related to oral contraceptive health had low quality and reliability of information. The majority of videos were made by non-healthcare providers, and the most common topic discussed was the effects of contraception. Videos made by healthcare professionals contained more reliable contraceptive information, but received less engagement than videos made by non-healthcare professionals. Healthcare providers should consider the prevalence of poor-quality information about oral contraceptives on social media when counseling and educating patients about reproductive health.

Environmental Benefits of Electronic Table of Contents of Journals Over Print.

Recent discussion has driven debate on the best format for journals to deliver content to their readers. Traditional dogma necessitated a physical print copy, which was sent to subscribers automatically and came with the benefits of ease of use and familiarity. With the passage of time, electronic tables of contents, with or without the option for a print copy, have been used in lieu to save cost and environmental concerns and to allow content to be consumed in a more convenient, tidier way.

Pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation: Fellowship website content comprehensiveness evaluation.

This cross-sectional analysis of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) fellowship program websites in the United States assesses their comprehensiveness based on 43 variables commonly sought by applicants. The study found that 30% of programs had a direct link to the PRM fellowship page, with limited information on criteria such as education resources, research stipend, mentorship opportunities, and fellow wellness. The results underscore the need for improved accessibility, content expansion, and yearly link maintenance. These improvements could enhance the applicant experience, foster informed decisions, and streamline the application process. The findings offer a roadmap for PRM fellowships to better align their online platforms with applicant needs, reflecting the current shift toward virtual interactions in the post-pandemic era.

Identifying the Information Needs and Format Preferences for Web-Based Content Among Adults With or Parents of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Three-Stage Qualitative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent childhood and adult behavioral disorder. Internet searches for ADHD information are rising, particularly for diagnosis and treatment. Despite effective ADHD treatments, research suggests that there are delays in seeking help for ADHD. Identifying ways to shorten delays is important for minimizing morbidity associated with ADHD. One way to shorten these delays is to improve internet health information resources. Research shows that parents of children with ADHD feel that much of the information available is technical and not tailored for their child's needs and verbal instructions given by health care providers were too pharmacologically focused with limited information about how to manage and support ADHD symptoms in daily living. A majority of parents search the internet for general and pharmacological information for ADHD and prefer web-based resources for learning about ADHD, but web-based resources may be inaccurate and of low quality. Ensuring accurate information through the internet is an important step in assisting parents and adults in making informed decisions about the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. OBJECTIVE: Although a great deal of information regarding ADHD is available on the internet, some information is not based on scientific evidence or is difficult for stakeholders to understand. Determining gaps in access to accurate ADHD information and stakeholder interest in the type of information desired is important in improving patient engagement with the health care system, but minimal research addresses these needs. This study aims to determine the information needs and formatting needs of web-based content for adults with ADHD and parents of children with ADHD in order to improve user experience and engagement. METHODS: This was a 3-phase study consisting of in-depth phone interviews about experiences with ADHD and barriers searching for ADHD-related information, focus groups where participants were instructed to consider the pathways by which they made decisions using web-based resources, and observing participants interacting with a newly developed website tailored for adults with potential ADHD and caregivers of children who had or might have ADHD. Phase 1 individual interviews and phase 2 focus groups identified the needs of the ADHD stakeholders related to website content and format. Interview and focus group findings were used to develop a website. Phase 3 used think-aloud interviews to evaluate website usability to inform the tailoring of the website based on user feedback. RESULTS: Interviews and focus group findings revealed preferences for ADHD website information and content, website layout, and information sources. Themes included a preference for destigmatizing information about ADHD, information specific to patient demographics, and evidence-based information tailored to lay audiences. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD stakeholders are specifically seeking positive information about ADHD presented in a user-friendly format.

Exploring informal science education responses to COVID-19 global pandemic: learning from the case of the Gwacheon National Science Museum in Korea.

Science museums have long been heralded as important informal science education sites where people can engage in voluntary and experiential science learning. In this paper, we identify and raise questions about how science museum responses to a global pandemic could impact on accessibility of informal science education for the public. To explore these issues, we examined the response of the Gwacheon National Science Museum (GNSM) to COVID-19 in South Korea using publicly available data from the museum website and museum YouTube video channel. Analysis shows that the pandemic has increased and diversified the GNSM's provision of science content for the general public via online platforms, such as YouTube and the museum website. In addition, GNSM educators are preparing special outreach education projects for deaf and blind visitors, who have often been excluded from informal science learning opportunities. By discussing these changes, we seek to raise questions about the potential for a global pandemic, like COVID-19, to affect informal science learning opportunities for a diverse group of people.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Canadian Anesthesiology Residency Program Website Content.

Background Residency program websites are an important resource widely used by prospective applicants when applying to programs. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the program content available on Canadian anesthesiology residency program websites using established criteria and identify any areas for improvement.  Methods In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the content available on accredited anesthesiology residency training program websites, between July and August 2021, using 54 criteria provided in the following domains: recruitment; faculty; residents; education and research; clinical work; incentives; wellness; and environment. Website scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as median (interquartile range), percentage (%), and range. Results We identified 17 programs with publicly available functional websites. Overall, residency programs met a median of 28 (interquartile range: 18-36) website criteria out of 54 (51.9%). Education and research was the highest-scoring domain among residency programs (median 77.8% of criteria met), while resident information and incentives were the lowest (14.3%). Conclusion Canadian anesthesiology residency program websites include information on many domains relevant to prospective applicants, including education and research. However, most websites require improvement and content updates for faculty information, resident information, incentives, wellness, and environment.

Verifying the usefulness of the theory of planned behavior model for predicting illegal use of online content: the role of outcome expectancies and social loafing.

BACKGROUND: Currently, laypeople can earn profit by producing content; therefore, it should be noted that the unauthorized use of intellectual creations or possessions can cause legal issues and undermine the producers' desire to create. This study verified the usefulness of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model for predicting the illegal use of online content among South Korean college students and examined the roles played by outcome expectancies and social loafing in this model. METHODS: The participants, 369 male and female Korean college students, were aged between 18 and 31 years (M = 22.12, SD = 2.33). We measured the illegal use of online content and the factors of the TPB model, as well as outcome expectancies and social loafing with regard to participants' illegal use of online content. Correlational analysis, stepwise regression analysis, path analysis for the TPB model, and analyses of the moderated model were performed using SPSS and AMOS. RESULTS: All TPB factors, outcome expectancies, and social loafing were positively correlated with the illegal use of online content. Stepwise regression analysis showed that intention, social loafing, outcome expectancies, and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of the illegal use of online content. A TPB model, including a direct path from perceived behavioral control to behavior, was validated to analyze the illegal use of online content. This model was found to be moderated by outcome expectancy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the TPB is useful for predicting the illegal use of online content and that outcome expectancies and social loafing also play an important role in the illegal use of online content among college students. The findings of this study provide useful information for future research and could aid in preventing illegal online content use among adolescents and young adults.