Identifying Complementary and Alternative Medicine Usage Information from Internet Resources. A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Information Science
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• The internet is a primary source for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) information, influencing patient choices and health behaviors.
• Understanding how individuals seek, access, and exchange CAM information online is critical for public health.
• Existing research highlights the need for improved methods to assess the reliability of online CAM information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze research issues and methodologies concerning internet-based CAM information needs, access, and exchange.
• To highlight gaps in current research and propose future directions for studying online CAM information.
• To inform the development of strategies for promoting accurate CAM information and mitigating risks associated with unreliable sources.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Searches conducted across major databases including PubMed, Nature.com, and Google Scholar.
• Analysis of identified articles focusing on internet use within the CAM context.

Main Results:

• The internet serves as a significant platform for obtaining CAM information and conducting surveys.
• Active development of methodologies, including search query and social media analysis, to identify CAM treatments.
• Challenges persist in verifying the reliability of online CAM information, with many sources lacking credible backing.
• Opportunities exist to enhance the availability of accurate CAM information and curb the dissemination of harmful content.

Conclusions:

• Current internet research advancements are underutilized for understanding CAM prevalence and user perspectives.
• Applying advanced internet research methods can offer valuable insights into CAM use patterns and evolving needs.
• Further research is needed to bridge the gap between internet capabilities and the understanding of online CAM information landscapes.