Quality of web-based information on bipolar disorder

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.01.007

Journal of Affective Disorders

Volume 110, Issue 3, October 2008, Pages 265-269

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.01.007 Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate web-based information on bipolar disorder and to assess particular content quality indicators.

Methods

Two keywords, “bipolar disorder” and “manic depressive illness” were entered into popular World Wide Web search engines. Websites were assessed with a standardized proforma designed to rate sites on the basis of accountability, presentation, interactivity, readability and content quality. “Health on the Net” (HON) quality label, and DISCERN scale scores were used to verify their efficiency as quality indicators.

Results

Of the 80 websites identified, 34 were included. Based on outcome measures, the content quality of the sites turned-out to be good. Content quality of web sites dealing with bipolar disorder is significantly explained by readability, accountability and interactivity as well as a global score.

Conclusions

The overall content quality of the studied bipolar disorder websites is good.

Introduction

Internet is a source of information on mental health issues (Powell and Clarke, 2006). Bipolar disorder (BPD) is commonly associated with disability (Judd and Akiskal, 2003), comorbidity (Yerevanian et al., 2001), low level of insight and lack of treatment adherence (Greenhouse et al., 2000, Scott and Pope, 2002). The burden of the disorder (in its depressive and manic episodes) may lead people (undiagnosed and diagnosed persons and their relatives) to search on-line evidence-based information. This makes that it is important for websites to present high content quality (evidence-based-health information) on the topic.

It was repeatedly reported that content quality of websites is a problem (Eysenbach et al., 2002).

The present study aimed, firstly, to assess content quality and general quality (presentation features) of BPD websites. Secondly, the study aimed to determine content quality indicators.

Section snippets

Methods

A web search was performed using search engines available for the general user of Internet using widely used terms for the condition.

Results

We reviewed 80 websites. There was an overlap among the sites identified by the search engines and the 2 keywords (35/80: 43.8%). This left 45 websites (80–35) from which 11 were excluded for these reasons: one required an access fee; 8 were not websites (only external links or books), 2 were not in English. We therefore included 34 websites (list available upon request).

Websites were assessed with the proforma which components resulted to have a good inter-rater reliability: Silberg (r = 0.841; p

Discussion

The present study aimed to assess Internet information on BPD and to determine content quality indicators. In contradiction with results of previous studies on health related web sites (Eysenbach et al., 2002, Griffiths and Christensen, 2000, Kisely et al., 2003, Wyatt, 1997), content quality of BPD related web sites could be considered as good (score 19/28: higher than 14, the mean score for a minimal and mostly right information).

The two factors issued from the factor analysis and the global

Role of funding source

Nothing declared.

Conflict of interest

No conflict declared.

Acknowledgment

To Delphine Sreekumar for the revision of the paper syntax and grammar.

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Brief reportQuality of web-based information on bipolar disorder

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Discussion

Role of funding source

Conflict of interest

Acknowledgment

Journal of Affective Disorders

Journal of Affective Disorders

Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Journal of Affective Disorders

Web page quality: Can we measure it and what do we find? A report of exploratory findings

Journal of Public Health Medicine

The health on the net code of conduct for medical and health web sites

Medinfo

DISCERN: an instrument for judging the quality of written consumer health information on treatment choices

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

Empirical studies assessing the quality of health information for consumers on the world wide web: a systematic review

JAMA

Quality of web based information on treatment of depression: Cross sectional survey

BMJ. British Medical Journal (Clinical Research ed.)

Brief report
Quality of web-based information on bipolar disorder