Do IBD Patients Have Poor Access to Credible Health Information?

A study in the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology took a look at several aspects of online treatment information about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The authors of the study assessed 50 web sites on three separate occasions to determine the accuracy, readability, integrity, and overall quality of information about IBD. The source of funding and the last updated date were often found to be lacking. The authors concluded that web sites with "high quality information" about IBD treatments are in short supply.

IBD is a complicated disease, and patients often feel as if they do not have enough access to information, particularly when it comes to treatments. This is one reason why so many with IBD turn to the Internet to find information and support. As we all know by now, the Internet has the power to open up a world of information to you, but it also has the possibility of providing a staggering amount of misinformation. I find misinformation about IBD online -- almost daily.

How do you feel about the IBD information that is available to you? Are you getting what you need?

More about health information online:

• Using the Internet for Reliable Health Information
• Sharing Internet Health Information With Your Doctor
• Finding Credible, Reliable Objective Health Information on the Internet

_Sources:

_{Langille M, Bernard A, Rodgers C, et al. "Systematic Review of the Quality of Patient Information on the Internet Regarding Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatments." Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology EPub 07 January 2010. 25 March 2010.}