Patients' Perspectives of Accessibility and Digital Delivery of Factual Content Provided by Official Medical and Surgical Specialty Society Websites: A Qualitative Assessment

• DOI: 10.2196/ijmr.3963
• Publication Date: 2015-03-29T02:07:13Z
• Authors: Darren Ow; David Wetherell; Nathan Papa; Damien Bolton; Nathan Lawrentschuk
• Keywords: Specialty; Digital content; Medical information

Health care websites provide a valuable resource of health information to online consumers, especially patients. Official surgical and medical society should be reliable first point contact.The primary aim this study was quantitatively assess for content highlight the essential features required high-quality, user-friendly website.Twenty specialty association from each regions, Australia, UK, Canada, Europe, USA were selected total 100 websites. Medical specialities consistent across region. Each website systematically critically analysed usability.The average points scored per 3.2 out 10. Of (N=100) websites, 12 at least 7 10 2 9 As well, 35% (35.0/100) had an tab patients on their respective homepages while 38% (38.0/100) download access patient information. A minority included different forms multimedia such as pictures diagrams (24.0/100, 24%) videos (18.0/100, 18%).We found that most did not meet adequate standard delivery Half accessible, with focus being professionals. logins access. Specialty societies create patient-friendly would beneficial all consumers.