Assessing the quality of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine website information for cancer: A cross-sectional survey and analysis

Introduction

Patients with cancer frequently utilize complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM); prior to this, many seek information about these therapies online. Little is known about the quality of this web-based consumer health information. Our study aimed to address this paucity of research by evaluating the quality of CAIM consumer health information on websites discussing the treatment and/or management of cancer.

Methods

Six search terms were entered into Google across four English-speaking countries (Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Australia) on January 4, 2023. The first 20 results of each search were assessed and included if they contained CAIM consumer health information for the treatment and/or management of cancer. Eligible websites were assessed using the 16-item DISCERN instrument, designed to evaluate information quality.

Results

Of 480 identified websites, 393 were duplicates, and 48 fit the eligibility criteria and were assessed using the DISCERN instrument. Mean summed DISCERN scores across all websites was 48.28 (SD = 14.26), and mean scores of the overall quality of each website was 3.11 (SD = 0.66). Several website quality issues were identified, including a lack of transparency surrounding sources of information, areas of uncertainty regarding treatment, consequences of foregoing treatment, and treatment impacts on quality of life.

Conclusion

Healthcare providers should be aware that patients may use these websites for CAIM information. To facilitate informed decision-making, healthcare providers are encouraged to ask about patients’ usage and interest in CAIM and direct them to credible and trustworthy resources.