Content and design of patient-targeted websites in orthopaedic surgery: The example of total hip replacement

INTRODUCTION The Internet is frequently used as a source of medical information by patients. There is no shortage of quantity of information on the Internet. Most studies have concentrated on the content of information provided by orthopaedic websites. This study aims to assess all aspects of website construction, using total hip replacement (THR) as an example.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the search term 'total hip replacement', we evaluated the top 50 results from 4 popular search engines. A detailed evaluation of these sites was carried out and data recorded on authorship readability (Flesch score), authority, currency, information status, information value, information quality, graphics and design, navigation, speed and access. These were individually scored using the University of Michigan Consumer Health WebSite Checklist.

RESULTS From the 200 web pages, 167 unqiue Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) were recorded. Of these, 55 provided patient information about THR and were evaluated fully. Of websites, 62% originated in the US. The authorship of the majority of websites was described as commercial (28%) or academic/physician (49%). Website evaluation showed that content, navigation, graphics and speed and were good. However, authority, currency, information status. Information on quality and ease of reading scored poorly.

DISCUSSION Most of the sites visited presented adequate information on about THR. However, the manner in which this information was presented is poor.