Quality of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) Resources Available on the Internet

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) carries a poor prognosis, and patients often have trouble accessing high-quality resources. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the information available to GBM patients on the Internet. An Internet search using the term "Glioblastoma Multiforme" was performed using three different search engines: Google, Yippy, and Dogpile. A structured rating tool, validated and developed by our research group, was applied to evaluate the top 100 websites with respect to accuracy, coverage, readability, currency, structure, attribution, and interactivity. Among the 100 websites evaluated, definition and treatment were the most accurately written sections (98% and 78% of websites). Etiology/risk factors and diagnosis were the least accurately written sections (40% and 52% of websites). Half of the websites did not cover etiology/risk factors, and 47% did not cover diagnosis. Only 21% of websites provided complete authorship information, and almost half of websites (46%) were affiliated with commercial websites (.com). Sixty three percent of websites were at a post-secondary reading level. The majority of online GBM websites contains accurate but incomplete information. Many websites do not provide authorship information, last modification dates, and reference materials. Readability was generally inappropriate for GBM patients. This research can be useful for clinicians to guide GBM patients to quality online resources.

Keywords: GBM; Glioblastoma multiforme; Internet information; Online resources; Patient education.