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Original article
Can online networks provide quality answers to questions about occupational safety and health?
  1. Martijn D F Rhebergen1,
  2. Annet F Lenderink2,
  3. Frank J H van Dijk1,
  4. Carel T J Hulshof1
  1. 1Department: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  2. 2Department: Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to Martijn D F Rhebergen, Department: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, PO Box: 22700, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DE Amsterdam, the Netherlands; m.d.rhebergen{at}amc.uva.nl

Abstract

Objectives To assess whether experts can provide high-quality answers to occupational safety and health (OSH) questions in online Question & Answer (Q&A) networks.

Methods The authors evaluated the quality of answers provided by qualified experts in two Dutch online networks: ArboAntwoord and the Helpdesk of the Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases. A random sample of 594 answers was independently evaluated by two raters using nine answer quality criteria. An additional criterion, the agreement of answers with the best available evidence, was explored by peer review of a sample of 42 answers. Reviewers performed an evidence search in Medline.

Results The median answer quality score of ArboAntwoord (N=295) and the Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases Helpdesk (N=299) was 8 of 9 (IQR 2). The inter-rater reliability of the first nine quality criteria was high (κ 0.82–0.90, p<0.05). A question answered by two or more experts had a greater probability of a high-quality score than questions answered by one expert (OR 4.9, 95% CI 2.7 to 9.0). Answers most often scored insufficient on the use of evidence to underpin the answer (36% and 38% for the networks, respectively) and on conciseness (35% and 31%, respectively). Peer review demonstrated that 43%–72% of the answers in both online networks were in complete agreement with the best available evidence.

Conclusions OSH experts are able to provide quality answers in online OSH Q&A networks. Our answer quality appraisal instrument was feasible and provided information on how to improve answer quality.

  • Online network
  • Q&A
  • answering service
  • answer quality
  • occupational safety and health
  • health and safety
  • occupational health practice
  • knowledge
  • back disorders
  • epidemiology
  • OH services
  • health surveillance
  • health services research
  • vibration
  • driving
  • musculoskeletal
  • disability

https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2011-100073

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    Footnotes

    • Funding Foundation Institute GAK, Hilversum, The Netherlands. ‘The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The authors' work on this article were independent of the funder’.

    • Competing interests None.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.