An Evaluation of the Quality of COVID-19 Internet Resources for Cancer Patients

Abstract

Cancer patients may face difficulty evaluating web-based COVID-19 resources in context with their cancer diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate educational resources available for cancer patients seeking online information on COVID-19 and cancer. The term “COVID-19 and Cancer” was searched in Google and metasearch engines Yippy and Dogpile. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the results from the 3 lists were systematically combined for a final ranked list. This list was analyzed using a validated structured rating tool with respect to accountability, interactivity, organization, readability, and content coverage and accuracy. Three hundred ninety-eight websites were identified, and 37 websites were included for analysis. Only 43% of sites disclosed authorship, 24% cited sources, and 32% were updated within 3 months of the search date. Fifty-four percent of websites had high school readability (8.0–12.0), 43% were at university level or above, and no websites demonstrated the recommended reading level for health information for the public (< 6.0). Topics most discussed were special considerations for cancer patients during COVID-19 (84%) and COVID-19 risk factors (73%). Topics least covered were COVID-19 incidence/prevalence (5%) and prognosis (8%). There is some COVID-19 information for cancer patients available online, but quality is variable. Healthcare professionals may direct cancer patients to the most reliable COVID-19 and cancer websites shown in this study and results may be helpful when designing future online health information resources.