PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Background: Previous studies have suggested that information offered by sellers of health-related direct-to-consumer genetic tests (DTC-GTs) is often incomplete, unbalanced, or too difficult to understand. The extent to which this is the case for sellers accessible to Dutch consumers has not previously been studied. Methods and Goals: The present study aimed to assess the completeness, balance, readability, and findability of informational content on a selection of websites from several health-related DTC-GT sellers accessible to Dutch consumers. An in-depth content analysis was performed based on a recently published checklist outlining key items for policy guidance regarding DTC-GT services. Results: The information provided by sellers did not equally cover all aspects relevant to health-related DTC-GT service provision. The provided information was slightly unbalanced, with benefits of health-related DTC-GT usage being overemphasized compared to its risks and limitations. The readability of the provided information was low, on average requiring college education for proper understanding. A findability analysis showed that information concerning all themes is overall relatively evenly distributed across analyzed sellers\' websites. Conclusions: Information provision by assessed health-related DTC-GT sellers is suboptimal regarding completeness, balance, and readability. To better empower potential consumers to make an informed decision regarding health-related DTC-GT usage, we advocate industry-wide enhancement of information provision.
摘要：
背景：先前的研究表明，与健康相关的直接面向消费者的基因检测（DTC-GT）的卖家提供的信息通常是不完整的，不平衡,或者太难理解。以前没有研究过荷兰消费者可以接触到的卖家的情况。方法和目标：本研究旨在评估完整性，balance,可读性,以及荷兰消费者可以访问的一些与健康相关的DTC-GT卖家的精选网站上的信息内容的可查找性。根据最近发布的清单进行了深入的内容分析，该清单概述了有关DTC-GT服务的政策指导的关键项目。结果：卖方提供的信息并未平等地涵盖与健康相关的DTC-GT服务提供相关的所有方面。所提供的资料稍有不平衡,与健康相关的DTC-GT使用的好处相比，其风险和局限性被过分强调。所提供资料的可读性较低,平均而言，需要大学教育才能正确理解。可查找性分析表明，有关所有主题的信息在经过分析的卖家网站上总体上相对均匀地分布。结论：与健康相关的DTC-GT卖家提供的信息在完整性方面是次优的，balance,和可读性。为了更好地授权潜在消费者就与健康相关的DTC-GT的使用做出明智的决定，我们主张在全行业范围内加强信息提供。
