Evaluation of online text-based information resources of gynaecological cancer symptoms.
Cancer Med
; 13(9): e7167, 2024 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38676385
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Gynaecological cancer symptoms are often vague and non-specific. Quality health information is central to timely cancer diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the quality of online text-based patient information resources regarding gynaecological cancer symptoms.METHODS:
A targeted website search and Google search were conducted to identify health information resources published by the Australian government and non-government health organisations. Resources were classified by topic (gynaecological health, gynaecological cancers, cancer, general health); assessed for reading level (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, SMOG) and difficulty (Flesch Reading Ease, FRE); understandability and actionability (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, PEMAT, 0-100), whereby higher scores indicate better understandability/actionability. Seven criteria were used to assess cultural inclusivity specific for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; resources which met 3-5 items were deemed to be moderately inclusive and 6+ items as inclusive.RESULTS:
A total of 109 resources were identified and 76% provided information on symptoms in the context of gynaecological cancers. The average readability was equivalent to a grade 10 reading level on the SMOG and classified as 'difficult to read' on the FRE. The mean PEMAT scores were 95% (range 58-100) for understandability and 13% (range 0-80) for actionability. Five resources were evaluated as being moderately culturally inclusive. No resource met all the benchmarks.CONCLUSIONS:
This study highlights the inadequate quality of online resources available on pre-diagnosis gynaecological cancer symptom information. Resources should be revised in line with the recommended standards for readability, understandability and actionability and to meet the needs of a culturally diverse population.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Internet
/
Neoplasias dos Genitais Femininos
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article