A new study examining Google search trends has revealed significant disparities in the quality and accessibility of online information about systemic psoriasis treatments, with implications for patient education and clinical practice.
The research, led by Dr. Gabriela A. Cobos from Tufts Medical Center's Department of Dermatology, analyzed search patterns between January 2019 and January 2024, evaluating the most frequently asked questions about systemic psoriasis treatments and their information sources.
Search Volume and Patient Interests
Among all systemic treatments, adalimumab emerged as the most searched medication, achieving the highest relative search volume (RSV = 1). The analysis revealed that 46.3% of adalimumab-related queries were fact-based, significantly higher than both apremilast (33.6%, P = .04) and methotrexate (32.7%, P = .01). Users predominantly sought information about technical details (24.5%) and medication costs (12.2%).
Quality Assessment of Information Sources
The study classified 782 websites into different categories, with commercial sites comprising the largest portion (46.3%), followed by:
- Social media platforms (24.4%)
- Government-based sites (15.2%)
- Academic sites (12.6%)
- Medical practice sites (1.5%)
When evaluated using JAMA benchmark criteria, commercial and government-based websites demonstrated superior quality, scoring 3.1 and 3.2 out of 4 points respectively. In contrast, academic websites scored 2.3 points, while medical practice websites received the lowest score of 1.0 points.
Treatment-Specific Search Patterns
The research uncovered distinct patterns in user inquiries across different medications. Apremilast generated more cost-related questions compared to methotrexate (10.4% vs. 0.5%, P <.001). Conversely, methotrexate prompted more safety-related queries than adalimumab (40% vs. 23.8%, P = .002).
Implications for Healthcare Providers
Dr. Cobos and colleagues emphasize the need for dermatologists to adapt their patient counseling approaches based on these findings. "Given that the internet has a tremendous impact on the dissemination and understanding of health-related information, dermatologists should consider tailoring their discussions when counseling patients on systemic medications for psoriasis," the team noted.
Recommendations for Improvement
The study highlights the urgent need for academic institutions and medical practices to enhance their online presence and content quality. The researchers suggest that improving website visibility and optimizing search engine algorithms to prioritize high-quality medical sources could significantly enhance patient access to reliable health information.
The findings underscore the evolving landscape of medical information dissemination and the critical role of digital resources in patient education about psoriasis management. Healthcare providers must adapt to these trends while ensuring the maintenance of high-quality, accessible information for patients seeking treatment guidance.
