The Quality, Readability, Completeness, and Accuracy of PTSD Websites for Firefighters

Shannon C. Killip, Natalie K. R. Kwong, Joy C. MacDermid, Amber J. Fletcher and Nicholas R. Carleton
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Shannon C. Killip: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Natalie K. R. Kwong: Department of Interdisciplinary Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Joy C. MacDermid: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Amber J. Fletcher: Department of Sociology and Social Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
Nicholas R. Carleton: Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-18

Abstract: Firefighters appear at an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because of PTSD-related stigma, firefighters may search for information online. The current study evaluated the quality, readability, and completeness of PTSD online resources, and to determine how the online treatment recommendations align with current evidence. Google.ca (Canada) searches were performed using four phrases: ‘firefighter PTSD’, ‘firefighter operational stress’, ‘PTSD symptoms’, and ‘PTSD treatment’. The 75 websites identified were assessed using quality criteria for consumer health information (DISCERN), readability and health literacy statistics, content analysis, and a comparison of treatments mentioned to the current best evidence. The average DISCERN score was 43.8 out of 75 (indicating ‘fair’ quality), with 9 ‘poor’ websites (16–30), 31 ‘fair’ websites (31–45), 26 “good” websites (46–60), and nine excellent websites (61–75). The average grade level required to understand the health-related content was 10.6. The most mentioned content was PTSD symptoms (48/75 websites) and PTSD treatments (60/75 websites). The most frequently mentioned treatments were medications (41/75 websites) and cognitive behavioural therapy (40/75 websites). Cognitive behavioural therapy is supported by strong evidence, but evidence for medications appears inconsistent in current systematic reviews. Online PTSD resources exist for firefighters, but the information is challenging to read and lacks evidence-based treatment recommendations.

Keywords: posttraumatic stress disorder; operational stress injury; mental health; firefighters; first responders; public safety personnel; health resources; internet; website; readability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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