Colorectal cancer screening patient education materials-how effective is online health information?

Purpose: Patients screened for colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently turn to the Internet to improve their understanding of tests used for detection, including colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood test (FOBT), and CT colonography. It was of interest to determine the quality and readability levels of online health information.

Methods: The screening tools were googled, and the top 20 results of each test were analyzed for readability, accessibility, usability, and reliability.

Analysis of online patient education materials in pediatric ophthalmology.

Background: Patients increasingly consult online resources for healthcare information. The American Medical Association (AMA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that online education resources be written between a 3rd- and 7th-grade level. This study assesses whether online health information abides by these guidelines.