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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422021000366
Integrative Medicine Research
Available online 26 May 2021, 100749
In Press, Journal Pre-proof
Dietary and herbal supplements for fatigue: A quality assessment of online consumer health information
Jeremy Y Ng
Catherine Jiayi Zhang
Saad Ahmed
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2021.100749
Abstract
Background
: The Internet is increasingly utilized by consumers to learn about and self-prescribe dietary and herbal supplements (DHSs). Studies which assessed websites about DHSs revealed a general insufficiency in both the safety and quality of provided information. The present study assessed the quality of DHSs consumer health information provided by websites on the topic of fatigue.
Methods
: Six unique search terms were searched on Google, each relating to fatigue and DHSs, across four countries. Four hundred eighty websites were initially searched, 48 of which were assessed. All assessments were conducted using DISCERN, a standardized index of the quality of consumer health information.
Results
: Across 48 eligible websites, the mean summed score was 47.64 (SD=10.38) and the mean overall rating was 3.06 (SD=0.90). Commercial sites were the highest in quantity and poorest in quality. Irrespective of type, websites were mostly lacking in delivering information on uncertainties regarding treatment options, the no treatment option, and treatments’ effect on overall quality of life.
Conclusion
: Physicians and other healthcare professionals should be aware of the high variability in the quality of information provided by websites on DHSs for fatigue and facilitate open communication with fatigue patients to guide them towards reliable online sources.
Keywords
Consumer health information
Dietary and herbal supplements
DISCERN
Fatigue
Quality of information
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422021000366
Integrative Medicine Research
Available online 26 May 2021, 100749
In Press, Journal Pre-proof
Dietary and herbal supplements for fatigue: A quality assessment of online consumer health information
Jeremy Y Ng
Catherine Jiayi Zhang
Saad Ahmed
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2021.100749
Abstract
Background
: The Internet is increasingly utilized by consumers to learn about and self-prescribe dietary and herbal supplements (DHSs). Studies which assessed websites about DHSs revealed a general insufficiency in both the safety and quality of provided information. The present study assessed the quality of DHSs consumer health information provided by websites on the topic of fatigue.
Methods
: Six unique search terms were searched on Google, each relating to fatigue and DHSs, across four countries. Four hundred eighty websites were initially searched, 48 of which were assessed. All assessments were conducted using DISCERN, a standardized index of the quality of consumer health information.
Results
: Across 48 eligible websites, the mean summed score was 47.64 (SD=10.38) and the mean overall rating was 3.06 (SD=0.90). Commercial sites were the highest in quantity and poorest in quality. Irrespective of type, websites were mostly lacking in delivering information on uncertainties regarding treatment options, the no treatment option, and treatments’ effect on overall quality of life.
Conclusion
: Physicians and other healthcare professionals should be aware of the high variability in the quality of information provided by websites on DHSs for fatigue and facilitate open communication with fatigue patients to guide them towards reliable online sources.
Keywords
Consumer health information
Dietary and herbal supplements
DISCERN
Fatigue
Quality of information