Table 1 Website-score using 27 test items in four categories for a maximal score of 26 points

Total website-score (26)

13.8 ± 3.3

14.0 ± 3.2 ***

11.6 ± 2.6

13.8 ± 4.0 ^^

Google search rank (2)

1.3 ± 0.8

1.4 ± 0.8 ***

0.8 ± 0.9

1.3 ± 0.8 ^^

1

When performing a Google search, is a link to the department (or the hosting institution) listed on the first page of results? (Y = 1, N = 0)

528 (78.6%)

467 (82.5%) ***

23 (40.4%)

38 (77.6%) ^^^

2

Is there a direct link to the departments starting page within the first page of Google results? (Y = 1, N = 0)

362 (53.9%)

317 (56.0%) **

19 (33.3%)

26 (53.1%)

Technical aspects (10)

4.6 ± 1.4

4.6 ± 1.4

4.7 ± 1.4

4.4 ± 1.4

3

Do individual sub-pages have specific and meaningful titles? (Y = 1, N = 0)

607 (90.3%)

510 (90.1%)

53 (93.0%)

44 (89.8%)

4

For individual sub-pages, is a specific and meaningful description provided via the META/description tag? (Y = 1, N = 0)

212 (31.5%)

183 (32.3%)

14 (24.6%)

15 (30.6%)

5

Are the semantic HTML tags for headings (<H1>, <H2>, …), paragraphs (<P>), and tables (<TABLE>) used appropriately? (Y = 1, N = 0)

500 (74.4%)

420 (74.2%)

46 (80.7%)

34 (69.4%)

6

For all content-related images, are meaningful descriptions provided in the ALT-attribute of the < IMG > tags? (Y = 1, N = 0)

203 (30.2%)

178 (31.4%)

14 (24.6%)

11 (22.4%)

7

Does the website provide useful/useable information even when CSS, JavaScript, and images are disabled or missing? (Y = 1, N = 0)

546 (81.3%)

458 (80.9%)

48 (84.2%)

40 (81.6%)

8

Does the website make use of Flash plug-in? (Y = 0, N = 1)

642 (95.5%)

540 (95.4%)

55 (96.5%)

47 (95.9%)

9

In case the website uses Flash, are alternatives offered for website visitors using Flash-incapable devices, or does the website at least make it obvious to visitors that they miss out on content? (Y = 1, N = 0)

20 (3.0%)

19 (3.4%)

0 (0.0%)

1 (2.0%)

10

Is the layout of the website responsive (i.e. does it adapt do varying screen sizes), or is a separate version for mobile devices available? (Y = 1, N = 0)

59 (8.8%)

45 (8.0%) °°

3 (5.3%)

11 (22.4%) ^

11

Does the website offer means to adjust (increase) the text size without compromising the functionality of the website? (Y = 1, N = 0)

245 (36.4%)

209 (36.9%)

25 (43.9%)

11 (22.4%) ^

12

Does the website offer means to adjust (increase) the contrast of textual information for visitors with visual impairments (Y = 1, N = 0)

13 (1.9%)

11 (1.9%)

2 (3.5%)

0 (0.0%)

13

Does the website offer information in one or more additional languages? (Y = 1, N = 0)

54 (8.0%)

45 (8.0%)

7 (12.3%)

2 (4.1%)

Navigation (8)

5.2 ± 1.4

5.3 ± 1.4 ***

4.5 ± 1.3

5.3 ± 1.4 ^^

14

Does the department’s website have a dedicated starting (welcome) page? (Y = 1, N = 0)

643 (95.7%)

541 (95.6%)

54 (94.7%)

48 (98.0%)

15

Does the website provide a (consistently accessible) menu structure for navigating the department’s sub-pages? (Y = 1, N = 0)

545 (81.1%)

470 (83.0%) ***

33 (57.9%)

42 (85.7%) ^^

16

Does the website provide a (working) search facility? (Y = 1, N = 0)

554 (82.4%)

457 (80.7%) °

50 (87.7%)

47 (95.9%)

17

Are there dedicated subsections of the website for obstetric and general gynecologic patients? (Y = 1, N = 0)

384 (57.1%)

338 (59.7%) ***

14 (24.6%)

32 (65.3%) ^^^

18

Does the website contain a subsection directed specifically at referring physicians? (Y = 1, N = 0)

69 (10.3%)

54 (9.5%) °

5 (8.8%)

10 (20.4%)

19

Is there a (direct navigational) link to information about the department’s staff? (Y = 1, N = 0)

519 (77.2%)

444 (78.4%)

41 (71.9%)

34 (69.4%)

20

Is (department-specific) contact information easily accessible? (Y = 1, N = 0)

616 (91.7%)

528 (93.3%) °

49 (86.0%)

39 (79.6%)

21

Does the website provide access to information on how to reach the clinic (by car or public transportation)? (Y = 1, N = 0)

175 (26.0%)

158 (27.9%)

10 (17.5%)

7 (14.3%)

Content (6)

2.6 ± 1.3

2.7 ± 1.3 ***

1.7 ± 1.1

2.8 ± 1.8 ^^

22

Does the website feature content-related visual impressions? (Y = 1, N = 0)

532 (79.2%)

461 (81.4%) * °

38 (66.7%)

33

23

Does the website contain (prominently displayed) emergency information? (Y = 1, N = 0)

167 (24.9%)

136 (24.0%) *** °°°

1 (1.8%)

30 ^^^

24

Are photos of the medical team (physicians, nurses) available? (Y = 1, N = 0)

569 (84.7%)

500 (88.3%) *** °°°

40 (70.2%)

29

25

Does the website provide detailed information about the offered medical service spectrum? (Y = 1, N = 0)

200 (29.8%)

167 (29.5%) °

10 (17.5%)

23 ^^

26

Does the website provide an up-to-date news/events schedule? (Y = 1, N = 0)

90 (13.4%)

75 (13.3%) * °°

1 (1.8%)

14 ^^^

27

Does the website provide information on births per year? (Y = 1, N = 0)

207 (30.8%)

193 (34.1%) ** °°

7 (12.3%)

7