bims-librar Biomed News
on Biomedical librarianship
Issue of 2020‒07‒19
fourteen papers selected by
Thomas Krichel
Open Library Society


  1. J Clin Epidemiol. 2020 Jul 14. pii: S0895-4356(20)30569-2. [Epub ahead of print]
      OBJECTIVE: The use of the four-part PICO model to facilitate search strategy development for a precise answer is recommended for structuring searches for systematic reviews. Existing guidelines generally recommend that a search strategy should include the population, intervention(s), and types of study design. Consequently, comparison and outcome are not recommended as a part of the search strategy. There is evidence that comparison and particularly outcome is not represented in enough detail, but this needs to be confirmed.STUDY DESIGN: The present study examines the presence of PICO elements in the records in two commonly used databases for health sciences research: Embase and PubMed. We examine the field of upper GI and pancreatic diseases as well as the field of pregnancy and childbirth by extracting the included studies as well as the related PICO elements from a random selection of Cochrane reviews within these two areas.
    RESULTS: We find that the PICO elements C and O had a lower retrieval potential across the two Cochrane groups and databases also when combining text words and subject headings. In particular we find a lower retrieval when searching for both primary and secondary outcomes.
    CONCLUSION: Our results support the existing recommendation not to search for outcomes.
    Keywords:  Embase; PICO; PubMed; search strategies; search tools; systematic reviews; systematic searches
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.07.005
  2. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2020 Jul 15.
      PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Assimilating and disseminating information during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been challenging. The purpose of this review is to identify specific threats to the validity of the COVID-19 literature and to recommend resources for practicing rheumatologists and their patients.RECENT FINDINGS: The COVID-19 literature has rapidly expanded and includes 17 998 publications through May of 2020, 1543 of which also address rheumatic disease-related topics. Specific obstacles to acquiring high-quality information have arisen, including 'pandemic research exceptionalism' and a 'parallel pandemic' of misinformation. Unique challenges to rheumatologists include specific interest in antirheumatic disease therapies and a paucity of rheumatology-specific information. Patients with rheumatic diseases have faced shortages of critical medications and a lack of information tailored to their health conditions and medications.
    SUMMARY: We recommend rheumatologists develop a system to acquire high-quality information and offer guiding principles for triaging specific resources, which include relevance, accessibility, credibility, timeliness, and trustworthiness. The same principles can be applied to selecting patient oriented resources. Specific trustworthy resources are recommended.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000000724
  3. Health Info Libr J. 2020 Jul 12.
      Recent statistics show that almost 1/4 of a million people have died and four million people are affected either with mild or serious health problems caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). These numbers are rapidly increasing (World Health Organization, May 3, 2020c). There is much concern during this pandemic about the spread of misleading or inaccurate information. This article reports on a small study which attempted to identify the types and sources of COVID-19 misinformation. The authors identified and analysed 1225 pieces of COVID-19 fake news stories taken from fact-checkers, myth-busters and COVID-19 dashboards. The study is significant given the concern raised by the WHO Director-General that 'we are not just fighting the pandemic, we are also fighting infodemic'. The study concludes that the COVID-19 infodemic is full of false claims, half backed conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific therapies, regarding the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, origin and spread of the virus. Fake news is pervasive in social media, putting public health at risk. The scale of the crisis and ubiquity of the misleading information require that scientists, health information professionals and journalists exercise their professional responsibility to help the general public identify fake news stories. They should ensure that accurate information is published and disseminated.J.M.
    Keywords:  global health; information sources; public health; social media
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12320
  4. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2020 Jul 14.
      BACKGROUND: Dynamic developments in the healthcare system are associated with a more active and more participatory patient role, in which patients make informed decisions and help shape their care. This points to the increasing role of health information and health information seeking behaviors. But to date, the health information seeking behavior of people in Germany hasn't been subject to systematic survey research. The German Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS Germany) closes this gap.METHODS: HINTS Germany was fielded as a telephone survey with a sample of N = 2902 people. The questionnaire covers various aspects of the search for and use of health information, healthcare, health status, and health-related behaviors.
    RESULTS: First results show regional and gender differences in health information seeking. One in four respondents reports problems concerning the process of health information seeking. The most used health information sources are doctors and other health professionals as well as the Internet, whereby respondents trust health information from doctors by far the most.
    DISCUSSION: The rather rare use of the Internet as the primary source corresponds to the lower level of trust that the respondents place in the Internet as a source of health information, which is also known from other studies. However, this should not hide the fact that the Internet can be of great importance as a supplementary source, i.e., used in combination with other information, for example after a doctor's visit. HINTS Germany provides a data basis representative of the adult population in Germany, with which the importance of health information seeking for health-related attitudes and behaviors can be analyzed in a differentiated manner.
    Keywords:  Health inequality; Health information seeking; Information sources; Survey; Target group analysis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-020-03192-x
  5. Crisis. 2020 Jul 16. 1-8
       Background: Information on methods of suicide is available online, and access to information on methods of suicide appears to contribute to a small but significant proportion of suicides. There is limited documentation of how methods of suicide are being profiled, as well as what content exists in other languages than English. Aim: We aimed to analyze and compare how methods of suicide are profiled on Danish and English-language websites. Method: We applied a categorization and content analysis of websites describing methods of suicide. Sites were retrieved by applying widely used Danish and English-language search terms. Results: A total of 136 English-language websites and 106 Danish-language websites were included for analysis. Websites were more often categorized as prevention or support sites, academic or policy sites, and against suicide sites than dedicated suicide sites (i.e., pro-suicide sites), or information sites. However, information on methods of suicide was available, and 20.1% and 8.9% of the English and Danish-language sites, respectively, suggested that a particular method of suicide was quick, easy, painless, or certain to result in death. Limitations: Only one author coded and analyzed all websites. A further operationalization of the content analysis checklist is warranted to increase reliability. Conclusion: The websites primarily had a prevention or anti-suicide focus, but information on methods of suicide was available, requiring an increased focus on how to diminish the negative effects of harmful online content.
    Keywords:  Internet and suicidal behavior; content analysis; methods of suicide
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000701
  6. Foot Ankle Spec. 2020 Jul 16. 1938640020916286
      Background. We assessed the quality, accuracy, and readability of websites for ankle fractures. Methods. Ankle Fracture, Broken Ankle, and Fibular Fracture were entered into 3 search engines. The first 25 results from each search were collected. Quality, accuracy, and readability were assessed by a custom rubric, 3 surgeons, and Fleisch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL), respectively. Results. A total of 57 websites were included: 24 were assigned to Ankle Fracture, 26 to Broken Ankle, and 7 to Fibular Fracture. The average quality score out of 36, accuracy score out of 12, and FKGL for all websites were 13.1 ± 6.8, 10.8 ± 1.2, and 9.6 ± 1.7, respectively. Websites assigned to the term Broken Ankle had a significantly lower New Dale-Chall score. Websites of lower FKGL and appearing earlier in results had significantly higher quality scores. Physician specialty societies (PSSs) had a significantly lower FKGL than websites of other types. Conclusion. The readability of patient materials is above the recommended level for ankle fractures. Encouragingly, a trade-off between readability and quality was not found. Patients should use search terms they are familiar with and prioritize websites that appear earlier in search results, are easier to read, and produced by PSSs.Level of Evidence: Level 3.
    Keywords:  accuracy; ankle fracture; health literacy; online education; quality; readability
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/1938640020916286
  7. Women Birth. 2020 Jul 09. pii: S1871-5192(20)30278-X. [Epub ahead of print]
      BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding provides the healthiest start to life, but breastfeeding rates amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is lower than non-Indigenous women.AIM: To assess the accuracy, quality and appropriate presentation of online breastfeeding information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia.
    METHODS: An online search conducted in Google, Bing and Yahoo search engines to identify any breastfeeding websites that provided information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Relevant websites were evaluated against: a) National Health and Medical Research Council clinical guidelines, b) the quality of health information on the Internet by using DISCERN instrument, and c) appropriate key design features for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
    RESULTS: The search located 348 sites with 31 being eligible for inclusion. Websites from governmental organizations had the highest accuracy while YouTube videos had the lowest accuracy. Three quarters (74%, n=23) of sites incorporated the national clinical guidelines adequately, and most of the sites (77.8%, n=24) were considered high quality. Only 23% (n=7) of sites had sufficient key design features appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Four websites were considered exemplary for their accuracy, quality and cultural appropriateness of information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
    CONCLUSION: Some websites are tailored to provide breastfeeding information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. However, only a few contain culturally appropriate key design features. Further participatory action research is required to design online platforms for women from different cultural backgrounds that take into account cultural principles, beliefs and values.
    Keywords:  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women; Breastfeeding; Online information; Website review
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.06.012
  8. Radiography (Lond). 2020 Jul 12. pii: S1078-8174(20)30120-6. [Epub ahead of print]
      INTRODUCTION: Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) is often described as an advanced mode of radiotherapy. Whilst PBT offers an equivalent chance of cure to conventional radiotherapy, it is said to offer a theoretical reduction in long term side effects. NHS patients have had access to PBT since 2008 and approximately 65% of the 1144 approved referrals have been for paediatric cases. Yet, there is little research on how parents in these paediatric cases perceive their child's PBT and the information sources they encounter.METHODS: This is a qualitative inquiry informed by in-depth interviews carried out with 27 parents of children treated with PBT.
    RESULTS: Parents primarily frame PBT as a form of radiation but one which is better than alternatives. Whilst medical professionals do play a role, wider sources of information - such as other families and the internet - are important to both initial decision-making and treatment/recovery experiences.
    CONCLUSION: Parents are faced with the challenge of a 'fragmented expertise' which comes with the 'novelty' of the radiation therapy, the 'rare' nature of the tumours and the remote location of clinical specialists.
    IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This article will prove useful for practitioners dealing with parents and care givers of children undergoing proton therapy, and is especially valuable and timely for practitioners based in the newly installed proton centres in the UK. Two high energy proton centres are expected to become fully operational in the UK by the end of 2020. Understanding parents' experiences and perspectives can help avoid undue anxiety and lead to service improvements and overall satisfaction.
    Keywords:  Childhood cancer; Decision-making; Parents; Proton beam therapy; Radiotherapy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2020.06.016
  9. Arthroscopy. 2020 Jul 14. pii: S0749-8063(20)30606-X. [Epub ahead of print]
      PURPOSE: The current study investigates the information quality available on YouTube regarding rehabilitation and return to sport (RTS) after ACL reconstruction (ACLR).METHODS: Using an Onion Router software and predefined search terms, 140 YouTube videos regarding rehabilitation and RTS after ACLR were systematically included. Three scoring systems were used to analyze the included videos: (1) Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria; (2) Global Quality Score (GQS); (3) a self- developed score for 'rehabilitation after ACLR and RTS after ACLR', following AAOS guidelines and current evidence.
    RESULTS: The vast majority of the included videos offered poor information quality, reliability and accuracy. Videos that were uploaded by medical trained professionals showed a significantly higher information quality (Rehab: JAMA: p = .006; GQS: p < .001; 'Rehab- Score": p = .001; RTS: JAMA: p < .001; GQS: p < .001; 'RTS- Score': p < .001) compared to commercial videos or personal testimony videos. Multivariate linear regression also revealed medical trained professionals as significant predictor for a higher information quality (Rehab: JAMA: β = .496, p < .001, GQS: β = 1.3, p < .001, 'Rehab- Score' β = 3.7, p < .001; RTS: JAMA: β= .754, p < .001; GQS: β = 1.3, p < .001; 'RTS- Score': β = 5.3, p < .001).
    CONCLUSIONS: The average information quality, reliability and accuracy of YouTube videos regarding rehabilitation and return to sport after ACL reconstruction is poor. Information quality of related YouTube videos from medical trained professionals was significantly higher compared to commercial videos or personal testimony videos.
    CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Current YouTube videos regarding rehabilitation and return to sport after ACL reconstruction do not meet the necessary quality standards. Physicians should also be able to provide alternative sources of high-quality information.
    Keywords:  ACL; ACL Reconstruction; Rehabilitation after ACLR; Return to sport after ACLR; YouTube
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2020.07.013
  10. Oral Dis. 2020 Jul 15.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of accessible information on periodontal diseases on the Internet using different scales.MATERIALS & METHODS: A search was performed using the Google search engine with questions about periodontal disease symptoms. The first 30 websites obtained after searching for each question were evaluated. Duplicate websites, advertisements, discussion groups, links to research articles, videos, and images were excluded. A total of 90 websites were included and evaluated with Health on the Net Code of Conduct Certification (HONCode) presence, Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks and the quality criteria for consumer health information (DISCERN) toolkit.
    RESULTS: Only 27.8% of the analyzed websites contain HONCode certificates. No webpages fulfilled all JAMA criteria, whereas 32.2% of the websites did not provide any of them. Majority of the websites' (44.4%) overall rating score was 2 with the DISCERN instrument. In the DISCERN Section Scores comparison between various types of websites, information websites scores were higher than Dental Health Center Websites in Section 1 and Section 3 scores (p=0.000 and p=0.001, respectively).
    CONCLUSION: Overall quality of periodontal information based on patients' questions on the Internet has serious shortcomings especially in terms of attribution and the quality of information on treatment choices.
    Keywords:  consumer health information; internet access; periodontal disease
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.13546