Only one in 50 health websites on infertility meets basic standards for quality and accountability.

Researchers who sampled websites using five different search engines found only four that met a set of four recognised standards. The researchers say that clinicians need to either run their own websites or act as internet gatekeepers for their patients, identifying accurate and worthwhile sites.

“Results suggest that most web sites and pages fail to post even the most minimal information that would assist the online infertile patient to make decisions about the reliability and utility of the content offered. This outcome is problematic not only for people seeking infertility information but also for clinicians,” says a report of the research (Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health 2002;47:264-8).

For the research the team, from Boston University's School of Public Health, …