Quality and characteristics of websites of large Spanish hospitals

Abstract

The objective is to assess the quality and describe characteristics of websites of large Spanish hospitals, i.e. minimum 500 beds. Cross-sectional descriptive study is made, to evaluate the global quality, accessibility, usability, interactivity, updating, quality model and information given in 53 different websites belonging to Spanish hospitals with more than 500 beds. Only 22 (41.5%) of the websites analyzed fall into the upper half of the scale used. As such, the mean quality of these websites is shown to be low. On one hand, both accessibility and usability of the evaluated websites were notable, with specific sections for health professionals and hospital suppliers. On the other, the websites were characterized by a limited incorporation of tools for interacting with users, a poor presentation of information about health, diseases, waiting lists and care activities, as well as a deficient updating of their content and almost no adherence to quality references. In short, the websites of large Spanish hospitals are simple informational spaces that don’t facilitate the interaction, participation and collaboration of hospital users. In conclusion, websites of large Spanish hospitals, in addition to being informative spaces, should facilitate more interaction, participation and collaboration with hospital users.