Online information on chronic pain in 3 countries: an assessment of readability, credibility, and accuracy.

Basnet, R; Mendez, DR; Lugo-González, I; O'Hagan, E; O'Keeffe, M; Sharma, S; Pate, JW; Kennedy, DS

Online information on chronic pain in 3 countries: an assessment of readability, credibility, and accuracy.

Basnet, R Mendez, DR Lugo-González, I O'Hagan, E O'Keeffe, M Sharma, S Pate, JW Kennedy, DS

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Publisher:: Wolters Kluwer
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Pain Rep, 2023, 8, (4), pp. e1078
Issue Date:: 2023

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Basnet, R
dc.contributor.author	Mendez, DR
dc.contributor.author	Lugo-González, I
dc.contributor.author	O'Hagan, E
dc.contributor.author	O'Keeffe, M
dc.contributor.author	Sharma, S
dc.contributor.author	Pate, JW
dc.contributor.author	Kennedy, DS
dc.date.accessioned	2023-09-25T05:14:30Z
dc.date.available	2023-03-23
dc.date.available	2023-09-25T05:14:30Z
dc.date.issued	2023
dc.identifier.citation	Pain Rep, 2023, 8, (4), pp. e1078
dc.identifier.issn	2471-2531
dc.identifier.issn	2471-2531
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/172283
dc.description.abstract	OBJECTIVES: To assess the readability, credibility, and accuracy of online information on chronic pain in Australia, Mexico, and Nepal. METHODS: We assessed Google-based websites and government health websites about chronic pain for readability (using the Flesch Kincaid Readability Ease tool), credibility (using the Journal of American Medical Association [JAMA] benchmark criteria and Health on the Net Code [HONcode]), and accuracy (using 3 core concepts of pain science education: (1) pain does not mean my body is damaged; (2) thoughts, emotions, and experiences affect pain; and (3) I can retrain my overactive pain system). RESULTS: We assessed 71 Google-based websites and 15 government websites. There were no significant between-country differences in chronic pain information retrieved through Google for readability, credibility, or accuracy. Based on readability scores, the websites were "fairly difficult to read," suitable for ages 15 to 17 years or grades 10 to 12 years. For credibility, less than 30% of all websites met the full JAMA criteria, and more than 60% were not HONcode certified. For accuracy, all 3 core concepts were present in less than 30% of websites. Moreover, we found that the Australian government websites have low readability but are credible, and the majority provided all 3 core concepts in pain science education. A single Mexican government website had low readability without any core concepts but was credible. CONCLUSION: The readability, credibility, and accuracy of online information on chronic pain should be improved internationally to support facilitating better management of chronic pain.
dc.format	Electronic-eCollection
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Wolters Kluwer
dc.relation.ispartof	Pain Rep
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1097/PR9.0000000000001078
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	3202 Clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	3209 Neurosciences
dc.subject.classification	3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
dc.title	Online information on chronic pain in 3 countries: an assessment of readability, credibility, and accuracy.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	8
utslib.location.activity	United States
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Physiotherapy
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-09-25T05:14:26Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	8
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: To assess the readability, credibility, and accuracy of online information on chronic pain in Australia, Mexico, and Nepal. METHODS: We assessed Google-based websites and government health websites about chronic pain for readability (using the Flesch Kincaid Readability Ease tool), credibility (using the Journal of American Medical Association [JAMA] benchmark criteria and Health on the Net Code [HONcode]), and accuracy (using 3 core concepts of pain science education: (1) pain does not mean my body is damaged; (2) thoughts, emotions, and experiences affect pain; and (3) I can retrain my overactive pain system). RESULTS: We assessed 71 Google-based websites and 15 government websites. There were no significant between-country differences in chronic pain information retrieved through Google for readability, credibility, or accuracy. Based on readability scores, the websites were "fairly difficult to read," suitable for ages 15 to 17 years or grades 10 to 12 years. For credibility, less than 30% of all websites met the full JAMA criteria, and more than 60% were not HONcode certified. For accuracy, all 3 core concepts were present in less than 30% of websites. Moreover, we found that the Australian government websites have low readability but are credible, and the majority provided all 3 core concepts in pain science education. A single Mexican government website had low readability without any core concepts but was credible. CONCLUSION: The readability, credibility, and accuracy of online information on chronic pain should be improved internationally to support facilitating better management of chronic pain.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/172283