Table 1 Questions about treatments used to assess the included websites
Original question | Our question | Condition | Treatment | Initial search terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
When should I see a doctor about......a backache? | Should I do exercises for my backache? | backache | exercise | • backache • exercise for backache • “back pain” • “back pain” AND exercise |
Are the new birth control pills that eliminate your periods really safe? | Are period suppressing birth control pills safe? | birth control | period suppressing birth control pills | • period suppressing birth control pills • period suppressing “birth control pills” • “oral contraception” |
Flu shots—should I or shouldn’t I? | Should I get a flu shot? | flu | flu shots | • flu shot • influenza vaccine |
When should I see a doctor about...... muscle and joint pain? | Should I get my osteoarthritic knee replaced? | osteoarthritis of the knee | knee replacement | • knee replacement • surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee • osteoarthritis AND “knee replacement” |
Will vitamin D save my life? Should I really be taking four times the recommended daily dose? | Should I take vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis? | osteoporosis | vitamin D | • vitamin D for osteoporosis • “vitamin D” AND osteoporosis |
Will staring at a computer all day make me blind? | Should I stop using phone, tablet, computer, and TV screens before going to bed? | sleep problems | phone, tablet, computer, and TV screens | • computers and sleep problems • screens and sleep problems • computers AND insomnia • screens AND insomnia |
When should I see a doctor about......a sore throat? | Should I take antibiotics for my sore throat? | sore throat | antibiotics | • sore throat • antibiotics for sore throat • “sore throat” AND antibiotics |
How often do I really need to have my teeth professionally cleaned? | How often should I get dental check-ups? | tooth decay | dental checks | • dental checks • dental check-ups • routine dental check-ups |