Title: A two-dimensional assessment of selected medical websites

Authors: Kai S. Koong, Lai C. Liu, Mingying Zeng

Addresses: The University of Texas – Pan American, College of Business Administration, Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Methods Department, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA. ' The University of Texas – Pan American, College of Business Administration, Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Methods Department, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA. ' Southern University at New Orleans, Graduate Studies Program in Computer Information Systems, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126, USA

Abstract: Two major dimensions are commonly used for assessing the breadth and depth of the information content in medical websites. The first dimension deals with quality characteristics consisting of authorship, attribution, confidentiality, currency, disclosure, legitimacy and purpose. Functional variables such as access to medical libraries, reference books, health organisations, information sites, guidelines and reviews, clinical trial sites, drug questions, locating an expert and alternative medicine make up the second dimension. The trend is toward the use of both dimensions for evaluating medical websites. This study examines the breadth and depth of the medical information in the websites of the top 51 medical schools in the USA. The results of this study indicate that there are certain quality-standard measures that are present in all medical websites. However, there are also clear distinctions in quality as well as functional attributes that separate the higher-ranked medical schools from the lower ones. Medical professionals, computer system developers, and end-users of medical information will find the results of this study useful.

Keywords: medical websites; website assessment; website quality; electronic healthcare; e-healthcare; website evaluation; internet; medical information; medical schools; USA; United States; quality measures; functional variables; information content; online information; world wide web.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2006.008690

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2006 Vol.2 No.1, pp.35 - 49

Published online: 16 Jan 2006 *

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