Ann Dermatol.  2016 Feb;28(1):1-5. 10.5021/ad.2016.28.1.1.

Current Status of Atopic Dermatitis-Related Information Available on the Internet in South Korea

• Lee YJ
• Kim HJ
• Yu DS
• Lee YB
• Hahn HJ
• Kim JW

• KMID: 2429475
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2016.28.1.1

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) often resort to the internet for disease-related information. We believe that dermatologists be informed about the current accessibility of information to patients and the potential for misleading patients into making poor treatment decisions.
OBJECTIVE
The study was carried out in order to determine the nature of AD-related information available on the internet in Korea, and to identify any changes since our last survey in 2005. The quality of information offered and the involvement of medical doctors in certain websites were also investigated.
METHODS
Taking into account the current search engine market share in Korea, we gathered all search results obtained from the three major search engines using the keyword 'atopy', and investigated the nature of the information retrieved.
RESULTS
The search results showed less commercial sites than our previous study in 2005. There is a dramatic increase in the number of public bodies offering information about AD. In addition, the quality of information available online has improved since our last survey.
CONCLUSION
The phenomenon of 'commercial overcrowding' seems to have stabilized. As AD becomes a more social phenomenon, patients are better informed than ever before. However, the information available on the internet still requires to be accompanied by consultation by dermatologists. We believe that self-regulation using a format such as the Health on the Net Foundation's code of conduct (HONcode) may improve the quality of online information accessible to patients with AD in Korea.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; HONcode; Internet

MeSH Terms

Dermatitis, Atopic
Health Resorts
Humans
Internet*
Korea*
Search Engine

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Search results in Naver (www.naver.com). (B) Classification of search results in Naver. Refer to Table 1 for definition for each classification.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Search results in Daum (www.daum.net). (B) Classification of search results in Daum. Refer to Table 1 for definition for each classification.

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  Fig. 3 (A) Search results in Google (www.google.com). (B) Classification of search results in Google. Refer to Table 1 for definition for each classification.

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  Fig. 4 Classification of product advertisement websites. AD specialty store: online shop that exclusively sells products for atopic dermatitis, Products dealing with SBS, etc.: products dealing with sick building syndrome and problems associated with exposure to paint and building materials.

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  Fig. 5 Classification of western medicine clinic websites.

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