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BACKGROUND: The Internet is becoming an increasingly common source of health information for patients. OBJECTIVE: To examine the quality of gastrointestinal disease- and symptom-related Internet sites that might be searched by patients. METHODS: A total of 120 websites were evaluated from July to November 2009 using the DISCERN instrument to determine the quality of content of health and treatment information. RESULTS: There was substantial variability in the quality of Internet resources regarding gastrointestinal diseases and their symptoms. Information-based and institutional websites were rated highest. Resources related to celiac disease, colon cancer and abdominal pain scored the highest. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the quality of web-based resources was variable. Because patient education is important in the management of gastroenterological diseases, the increasing use of the Internet poses new opportunities and challenges for physicians.
Tangri et al. (2010) studied this question.