Consumer Health

1
Consumer Health
2
Separating Fact from Fiction

• Chapter 2

3
How facts are Determined

• The scientific method is used to determine fact.
  Data is collected and it is scientifically
  measured and examined to determine reality.

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Scientific Method

• Three noteworthy characteristics
• It is self-correcting (Scientist do not assume
  absolute truths but produce conclusions that
  allow for study modifications.)

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Noteworthy characteristics

• It requires objectivity (Research must speak for
  itself not the researcher).
• Experiments must be reproducible (For one study
  to be valid it must be repeatable by others).

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Research Design

• Research Design requires
• Proper sampling techniques
• The highest possible accuracy of measurement or
  observation
• The appropriate statistical analysis of the
  findings
• The conclusions are then used to develop new
  theories or modify existing ones

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Misuse of Statistics

• Many people accept statistics or numbers as being
  reliable. Advertisers use this to make a profit.

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Peer Review

• A process in which work is reviewed by others who
  usually have equivalent or superior knowledge
  within a specific area of expertise.

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Reasons for the difficulty in determining
reliable health information

• Advice from laypersons may be based on hearsay.
• Preliminary and limited scientific studies may be
  overemphasized by the media.
• Research data published by experts may conflict
  to cause public confusion.

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Reasons for the difficulty in determining
reliable health information

• Inaccurate health information may be disseminated
  solely for the purpose of profit.
• Claims that treatments are based on scientific
  evidence may not be true.
• Many false ideas feel right.

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The Media

• The media have four main functions
• To entertain
• To inform
• To carry advertisements
• To make money for their stockholders
• Unfortunately to inform is not the top
  priority.

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Online Information Sources (pg. 29)

• American Cancer Society http//www.cancer.org
• American Council on Science and Health
  http//www.acsh.org
• American Diabetic Association http//www.eatright
  .org
• American Heart Association(AHA)
  http//www.amhrt.org

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Online Information Sources

• American Medical Association(AMA)
  http//www.ama-asn.org
• Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS)
  http//www.os.dhhs.gov/
• Federal Trade commission(FTC) http//www.ftc.gov/
  

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Online Information Sources

• Food and Drug Administration(FDA)
  http//www.fda.gov/
• Go Ask Alice(college student health
  questions) http//www.columbia.edu/cu/healthwise/a
  ll.html
• Internet Health Resources http//www.ihr.com/
• National Cancer Institute(NCI)
  http//www.nci.nih.gov/

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Telephone Advice

• A person giving advice over the phone is unable
  to unable to physically examine the patient.
• It is hard to be sure that the person on the
  other line is qualified.
• When telephone advice is used the limitations
  should be understood.

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Suggestions for Consumers

• Tips for evaluating medical or health
  information
• Proof that a new treatment is effective requires
  controlled studies.
• Reports should be based on published studies of
  medical journals.
• Safety is not absolute.
• Be wary of claims of unusual remedies for chronic
  or incurable diseases.

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Questions/Terms

• How are facts determined
• Scientific Method
• Research Design
• Misuse of statistics
• Peer review
• Functions of the media
• Understand Telephone advice

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Assignment

• Read Chapter 3