Evaluation of the reliability and quality of online information on brain death in Turkiye: JAMA and DISCERN assessments

Aims: In this study, we investigated the readability, quality and reliability of Turkish websites with information about brain death. We evaluated the quality and reliability of online information about brain death. Methods: In 5 May 2024, a search was performed by typing the word "brain death" into Google's search engine (http://www.google.com). Publicly internet searches performed were analyzed. Using Google Search, the first 100 websites containing the term "brain death" were evaluated. Commercial websites, advertising sites, chat sites, forum sites, magazine sites, sites containing only images or videos were excluded from the study. After applying inclusion criteria, 88 websites were identified, 46 of which were excluded due to duplication, leaving 42 sites. An additional 12 websites were excluded for not meeting criteria. Evaluations were performed using the JAMA Benchmark criteria, which assess health information reliability across four dimensions, and the DISCERN scoring system, a tool for evaluating the quality of health information. Results: The mean JAMA Benchmark score was 2.02 ± 1.58, and the mean DISCERN score was 42.1 ± 19.07, indicating moderate quality. Many websites failed to meet critical quality benchmarks, revealing significant gaps in the reliability and accuracy of online information about brain death. Conclusion: As a result of this study, highlights the moderate quality of online health information about brain death and underscores the need for improvements in the reliability of such content. Greater efforts are required to enhance the visibility and accessibility of trustworthy sources. Health organizations and professionals should take a more active role in developing and promoting accurate online resources. Future research should focus on addressing gaps in public health literacy and implementing strategies to improve the dissemination of reliable health information.