From Snake Oil to Penicillin: Evaluating Consumer Health Information on the Internet

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From Snake Oil to Penicillin Evaluating Consumer
Health Information on the Internet
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Objective

• At the end of this workshop, you will be able to
• Determine the accuracy, authority, bias,
  currency, and coverage of health information and
  its appropriate use as a consumer health
  information resource for the public.

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Pretest

• T F All health information on the web is
  accurate and reliable.
• T F Reference librarians can provide
  advice about health information.
• T F About half of Internet health seekers
  thoroughly check the source and timeliness
  of information, and are vigilant about
  verifying a sites information every time they
  search for health information.
• Name three criteria for evaluating a web site.

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The Issue

• Increase number of
• Patients accessing information on the Internet
• Creating health-related web sites
• Patients believe Web is a reliable source of
  information
• The results of one study was published in JAMA
• (JAMA. 2001 May 23-30 285(20)2612-21).

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Types of Web sites

• What is the purpose of the Web page?
• Advocacy (American Heart Association)
• Business/marketing (Pfizer)
• Informational (National Center for Health
  Statistics)
• News (CNN)
• Entertainment (Official Star Wars Fan Club)

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5 Basic Criteria

• Accuracy, Authority, Bias, Currency, Coverage
• Each of these alone is meaningless, but together
  they create solid guidelines for evaluation. If
  you cannot answer the following questions, the
  web site your patient/patron is looking at is
  suspect!

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Accuracy

• Is the information accurate? Remember
• Anyone can publish on the web
• Many web pages are not reviewed or verified by
  editors or peers
• Web standards to ensure accuracy dont exist.

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Accuracy example
http//www.malepregnancy.com/
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Authority

• Is the author an authority on the subject?
  Remember
• It is often difficult to determine the authorship
  of Web pages
• If a name is listed, his/her qualifications are
  frequently absent
• Check if the Web page has the backing of a
  well-established organization, institution, or
  agency.

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The URL

• The Tilde
• The Domain
• Dot coms
• Contact Information
• About Us

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Authority example
http//members.tripod.com/tourette13/
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Bias

• Does the author bring any biases in posting the
  information? Remember
• Web pages often are soapboxes
• Goals of the author arent clearly stated
• Watch out for the emotional kickphotographs,
  exclamation points, huge fonts

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Bias example
http//www.dhmo.org/
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Currency

• Is the information current and timely? Remember
• Dates are not always included
• If dates are included, it may not be clear if the
  date is the date created, the date revised, or
  the date the page was placed on the Web

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Currency example
http//www.pslgroup.com/dg950925.htm
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Coverage

• Many health sites are not comprehensive. The
  information may be accurate but important
  information may be left out. Remember
• How does this information compare with other
  sources on the same topic?
• Is a better source available?
• Does the site have a disclaimer?

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Coverage example
http//www.medical-library.net/
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Additional Resources

• Quackwatch.com
• Site developed by a psychiatrist
• His is anti-alternative/anti-complementary
• Site can be used to gather background information
  on questionable treatments

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Additional Resources

• MedlinePlus.gov
• Click on Health Topics (select health fraud)

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Posttest

• T F All health information on the web is
  accurate and reliable.
• T F Reference librarians can provide
  advice about health information.
• T F About half of Internet health seekers
  thoroughly check the source and timeliness
  of information, and are vigilant about
  verifying a sites information every time they
  search for health information.
• Name three criteria for evaluating a web site.

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How to Reach Us

• Web site http//nnlm.gov/
• Phone [phone]