DOHA: Qatar has scored highly on its e-Health readiness and website quality in the first comprehensive analysis of Internet health information in the GCC by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q)
In eight out of 10 quality categories measured by the authors, Qatari websites scored higher than the GCC average.
The study ‘Typology and Credibility of GCC Internet Health Websites’ appeared in World Health Organisation (WHO) publication Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal.
Experts have cautioned that serious deficiencies in health websites in Qatar and the GCC should be addressed, specifically, technical medical information needs to be updated, and the authorship and credentials disclosed.
Websites should be available in languages other than Arabic and English due to the large Asian expatriate populations of the Gulf, sponsorships, site ownerships, and advertising policies should be disclosed clearly and privacy and security policies need to be implemented and disclosed.
The research during 2012-14 retrieved all 925 functional health websites in the GCC and categorised information found on them.
Dr Alan S Weber, Associate Professor of English, Pre-medical Department, and Dr Mohamud A Verjee, Associate Professor of Family Medicine, led the faculty research. The student research team comprised Zahra Rahman, Fathima Ameerudeen and Nadeen Al Baz, all third-year medical students.
The research team has stressed that Qatar is uniquely placed to take a leading role in Internet-based health information in the region. Factors such as Qatar’s high Internet connectivity and penetration rates, planned broadband infrastructure upgrades, a positive youth attitude towards technology, and health sector improvements are valuable assets for future development of e-Health in Qatar.
D Verjee said, “Health has become a priority area in GCC government planning since new gas and oil revenues are underwriting higher quality universal care and new resources. Although patients are increasingly seeking health information on the Internet, the physician should be the primary source of information on medical matters. Physicians and websites should provide the best possible information to the patient without any commercial bias or potential conflicts of interest.” The research won a grant from Qatar National Research Fund under its Undergraduate Research Experience Programme.
The Peninsula
