Determining the credibility, accuracy and comprehensiveness of websites educating consumers on complex regional pain syndrome accessible in Australia: a systematic review

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dc.contributor.authorMoore, E.
dc.contributor.authorStanton, T.R.
dc.contributor.authorTraeger, A.
dc.contributor.authorMoseley, G.L.
dc.contributor.authorBerryman, C.
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractComplex 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.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityEmily Moore A, Tasha R. StantonA, B, Adrian TraegerC, G. Lorimer MoseleyA, B and Carolyn Berryman
dc.identifier.citationAustralian Journal of Primary Health, 2021; 27(6):485-495
dc.identifier.doi10.1071/py21066
dc.identifier.issn1448-7527
dc.identifier.issn1836-7399
dc.identifier.orcidBerryman, C. [0000-0002-5316-0847]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/133914
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherCSIRO Publishing
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1141735
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1144026
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1127155
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1178444
dc.rights© La Trobe University 2021
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1071/py21066
dc.subjectcomplex regional pain syndrome; CRPS; website; Internet; credibility; accuracy; comprehensiveness; education; systematic review
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshComplex Regional Pain Syndromes
dc.subject.meshAustralia
dc.titleDetermining the credibility, accuracy and comprehensiveness of websites educating consumers on complex regional pain syndrome accessible in Australia: a systematic review
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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