Evaluation of the quality, reliability, readability of websites on temporomandibular joint pain

Authors : Selcen Eser Mısır, Perihan Dalgalı Evli, Kübra Gülnur Topsakal, Merve Kurun Aksoy

Pages : 13-19

Doi:10.17214/gaziaot.1406388

View : 72 | Download : 86

Publication Date : 2025-01-03

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, quality, and readability of websites providing information on temporomandibular joint pain. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An internet search was performed on Google Chrome (Google, Mountain View, California, USA) on June 9, 2023, with the keywords “jaw pain” and the links of the first 50 websites were saved. Four different evaluation tools the DISCERN instrument, The Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark, Readability Index were used to evaluate 37 sites that met the inclusion criteria. SPSS 25 statistical software was used for the statistical analyses and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Within the scope of the study, the first 50 websites were registered and a total of 37 websites met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. The mean values for DISCERN, EQIP, and the JAMA index were 2.05±0.911, 62.4±11.6 and 0.486±0.692, respectively. In addition, those with high credibility constituted %5.4 (n=2) of the total number of sites and %50 (n=1) of these sites were uploaded by private hospitals, and %50 (n=1) by blogs (web logs). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the quality, reliability and readability of websites providing information about jaw pain on the internet vary but are at a medium-low level. Professional associations and organizations, such as the Turkish Orthodontic Society (TOD), may conduct similar research and publish the results to ensure the quality and reliability of the information in publicly available online resources.
Keywords : Halk sağlığı diş hekimliği, internet, sosyal medya, temporomandibular eklem ağrısı