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Evaluating the Quality of Online Information Regarding Neoadjuvant Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer
Lena Stevens1, Marissa Guo1, Zachary J Brown1
1Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 W 10th Ave, N-907 Doan Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Purpose:
Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly utilized for patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Patients with cancer have high information needs and the Internet has materialized as a leading source of information for many patients. Nevertheless, little is known about the availability, accessibility, quality, and readability of online information regarding NT for PDAC.
Methods:
A search of online patient informational materials (PIMs) pertaining to NT for PDAC was conducted using a combination of common search engines and browsers. Two independent researchers evaluated the readability, quality, and availability of unique PIMs from the top 25 websites from each search using validated measures.
Results:
Among the 130 websites retrieved, 46 (35.4%) unique PIMs focused on treatment of PDAC. Only 30 (23%) mentioned NT as a possible treatment option. Downstaging was the rationale for NT mentioned in the majority (90%) of websites. The mean quality and reliability of the 30 PIMs, assessed using the DISCERN instrument, was 3.3 ± 0.7, suggesting moderate quality/reliability. The mean readability score, assessed using the SMOG Grade tool, was 10.96 ± 1.49, which is equivalent to an 11th grade reading level.
Conclusion:
The low availability, poor readability, and moderate quality of online informational materials regarding NT for PDAC highlight the need for new patient-centered resources to educate patients and caregivers on an increasingly utilized treatment strategy for localized PDAC.
