Factors Influencing the Perceived Accuracy of Healthcare Websites and Methods of Checking the Accuracy of Internet Health Information
| N | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Factors influencing perceived accuracy of healthcare web sites (N = 615) | ||
| Endorsement by a government agency or professional organization | 296 | 48 |
| Reliable source/author | 289 | 47 |
| Understandability of the information | 275 | 45 |
| Site is updated frequently | 166 | 27 |
| Layout and appearance of the site | 74 | 12 |
| Sponsored by a reputable drug company | 72 | 12 |
| Medical advertising is on the site | 47 | 8 |
| Methods of checking the accuracy of Internet health information (N = 614) | ||
| Discuss with healthcare provider | 334 | 54 |
| Compare information from different sites | 295 | 48 |
| Compare with non-Internet sources (print sources, TV, etc) | 247 | 40 |
| Discuss with friends or family | 244 | 40 |
| Never check the accuracy | 65 | 11 |