Table 1.
Overall results of the included websites according to the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) Instrument.
| Data | Item | Criteria | Yes, n (%) | No, n (%) | Does not apply, n (%) |
| Content data | |||||
| 1 | Initial definition of which subjects will be covered | 43 (36.4) | 75 (63.6) | 0 (0) | |
| 2 | Coverage of the previously defined subjects (NAaif the answer is “no” for item 1) | 43 (36.4) | 75 (63.6) | 0 (0) | |
| 3 | Description of the medical problem | 115 (97.5) | 3 (2.5) | 0 (0) | |
| 4 | Definition of the purpose of the surgical intervention | 103 (87.3) | 15 (12.7) | 0 (0) | |
| 5 | Description of treatment alternatives | 86 (72.9) | 32 (27.1) | 0 (0) | |
| 6 | Description of the sequence of the surgical procedure | 59 (50.0) | 59 (50.0) | 0 (0) | |
| 7 | Description of the qualitative benefits to the recipient | 58 (49.2) | 60 (50.8) | 0 (0) | |
| 8 | Description of the quantitative benefits to the recipient | 11 (9.3) | 107 (90.7) | 0 (0) | |
| 9 | Description of the qualitative risks and side effects | 66 (55.9) | 52 (44.1) | 0 (0) | |
| 10 | Description of the quantitative risks and side effects | 23 (19.5) | 95 (80.5) | 0 (0) | |
| 11 | Addressing quality-of-life issues | 64 (54.2) | 54 (45.8) | 0 (0) | |
| 12 | Description of how complications are handled | 10 (8.5) | 108 (91.5) | 0 (0) | |
| 13 | Description of the precautions that the patient may take | 25 (21.2) | 93 (78.8) | 0 (0) | |
| 14 | Mention of alert signs that the patient may detect | 20 (16.9) | 98 (83.1) | 0 (0) | |
| 15 | Addressing medical intervention costs and insurance issues | 9 (7.6) | 109 (92.4) | 0 (0) | |
| 16 | Specific contact details for hospital services | 48 (40.7) | 70 (59.3) | 0 (0) | |
| 17 | Specific details of other sources of reliable information or support |
47 (39.8) | 71 (60.2) | 0 (0) | |
| 18 | Coverage of all relevant issues for the topic (summary item for all content criteria) | 0 (0) | 118 (100) | 0 (0) | |
| Identification data | |||||
| 19 | Date of issue or revision | 52 (44.1) | 66 (55.9) | 0 (0) | |
| 20 | Logo of the issuing body | 111 (94.1) | 7 (5.9) | 0 (0) | |
| 21 | Names of the persons or entities that produced the document |
37 (31.4) | 81 (68.6) | 0 (0) | |
| 22 | Names of the persons or entities that financed the document |
1 (0.8) | 117 (99.2) | 0 (0) | |
| 23 | Short bibliography of the evidence-based data used in the document | 37 (31.4) | 81 (68.6) | 0 (0) | |
| 24 | Statement about whether and how patients were involved or consulted in the document’s production | 51 (43.2) | 67 (56.8) | 0 (0) | |
| Structure data | |||||
| 25 | Use of everyday language and explanation of complex words or jargon | 111 (94.1) | 7 (5.9) | 0 (0) | |
| 26 | Use of generic names for all medications or products (NA if no medications described) | 35 (29.7) | 83 (70.3) | 0 (0) | |
| 27 | Use of short sentences (<15 words on average) | 109 (92.4) | 9 (7.6) | 0 (0) | |
| 28 | Personal address to the reader | 33 (28.0) | 85 (72.0) | 0 (0) | |
| 29 | Respectful tone | 118 (100) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |
| 30 | Clear information (no ambiguities or contradictions) | 116 (98.3) | 2 (1.7) | 0 (0) | |
| 31 | Balanced information on risks and benefits | 16 (13.6) | 102 (86.4) | 0 (0) | |
| 32 | Presentation of information in a logical order | 115 (97.5) | 3 (2.5) | 0 (0) | |
| 33 | Satisfactory design and layout (excluding figures or graphs) | 91 (77.1) | 27 (22.9) | 0 (0) | |
| 34 | Clear and relevant figures or graphs (NA if absent) | 21 (17.8) | 97 (82.2) | 0 (0) | |
| 35 | Inclusion of a named space for the reader’s note or questions |
3 (2.5) | 115 (97.5) | 0 (0) | |
| 36 | Inclusion of a printed consent form contrary to recommendations (NA if not from hospitals) |
2 (1.7) | 116 (98.3) | 0 (0) |
aNA: not applicable.