Determining the credibility, accuracy and comprehensiveness of websites educating consumers on complex regional pain syndrome accessible in Australia: a systematic review
Emily Moore
A , Tasha R. Stanton A B , Adrian Traeger C , G. Lorimer Moseley A B and Carolyn Berryman A D E F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A IIMPACT in Health, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
B Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
C Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
D School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
E South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: carolyn.berryman@unisa.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 27(6) 485-495 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY21066
Submitted: 19 March 2021 Accepted: 3 August 2021 Published: 24 November 2021
Abstract
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a distressing and disabling pain condition. Many people with CRPS and the health professionals who treat them seek information about the condition via the Internet. The credibility, accuracy and comprehensiveness of online CRPS information remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the credibility, accuracy and comprehensiveness of information presented on freely accessible websites that aim to educate people about CRPS. Keyword searches were conducted on the Australian Google site, with ‘trustworthy’ websites included and critically appraised. Primary outcomes were recognised metrics of credibility (JAMA benchmark credibility criteria) and website accuracy (according to European CRPS guidelines). Comprehensiveness was assessed using the proportion of European CRPS guidelines covered by the websites. In all, 30 websites with 819 recommendations were critically appraised. Five (17%) websites met all credibility criteria; of the recommendations, 349 (43%) were accurate, 252 (31%) were inaccurate and 218 (26%) were unclear. For comprehensiveness, an average of 17% of general guidelines, 15% of therapeutic guidelines and 6% of medication/supplement guidelines were covered. Online information about CRPS available to Australians has low credibility, accuracy and comprehensiveness. Many website recommendations are inaccurate or unclear, and many websites endorse inappropriate treatments. There is an urgent need for accurate and comprehensive sources of CRPS information online.
Keywords: complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS, website, Internet, credibility, accuracy, comprehensiveness, education, systematic review.
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