Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jan 6, 2022
Open Peer Review Period: Jan 4, 2022 - Mar 1, 2022
Date Accepted: May 4, 2022
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
An examination of the quality of late-life depression websites on the Internet
ABSTRACT
Background:
The Internet can increase the accessibility of mental health information and improve the mental health literacy of older adults. The quality of mental health information on the Internet can be inaccurate or biased, leading to misinformation
Objective:
This study’s objectives were to evaluate the quality, usability, and readability of websites providing information concerning depression in later life.
Methods:
Websites were identified through a Google search, and evaluated by assessing quality (DISCERN), usability (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool; PEMAT) and readability (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook; SMOG).
Results:
The overall quality of late-life depression websites (N = 19) was moderate, usability was low, and readability was poor. No significant relationship was found between quality and readability of websites.
Conclusions:
Websites can be improved by enhancing information quality, usability, and readability related to late-life depression. The use of high-quality websites may improve mental health literacy and shared treatment decision-making for older adults.
Citation
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Copyright
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