finding credible health information online
DESCRIPTION
Presentation on finding credible health information online. What to look for, what to avoid, recommendations for reputable sites.TRANSCRIPT
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Finding Credible Health Information Online
Linda Pourmassina, MDThe Polyclinic
Seattle, WA
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Background
Why is this topic important?Widely applicableCan be a source of anxiety.We are bombarded by confusing health
information.
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OutlineWhere are we getting our health info?
Who looks for health info online?
How do you analyze a website for credibility?
What are some good websites for health information?
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Where do most people look?
WebMD
Question/answer sites
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Who is feeding us health info?Our own doctors
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Who is feeding us health info?Our own doctors (drop in the bucket)
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Who is feeding us health info?Our own doctors (drop in the bucket)Radio/TVMagazinesNews websitesSocial mediaFriends/RelativesTV doctorsCelebrities
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Who looks for health info online?59% of US adults (80% of internet users)
66% search for info about specific disease/medical problem
Women>men
Caregivers
http://pewinternet.org/Commentary/2011/November/Pew-Internet-Health.aspx
updated 3/1/2012
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Who Looks for health info online?
“Eight in ten internet users look online for health information, making it the third most popular online activity”
From www.pewinternet.org
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Who runs the website?
.gov (government-sponsored)
.edu (educational institution)
.org (noncommercial organization)
.com (commercial organization)
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Who is doing the writing?“About Us”
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Who is doing the writing?“About Us”Author credentials
Background, education, researchAssociated with an institution or organization?
If so, look up the institution to verify whether it’s legitimate
Contact infoIdeally, easy to find
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Overview of the website/pageA “critical” first impression
Sloppy?
Spelling errors?
Poor grammar?
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Overview of website/page
ADVERTISEMENTS
Are they clearly marked?
Reputable organizations make the distinction between written content and advertising clear.
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Overview of page/website
If ads are not clearly marked, the site’s creators may be more interested in sales than providing you with accurate health info.
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Analyzing contentWatch out for buzzwords/superlatives
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Analyzing contentWatch out for buzzwords/superlatives
BREAKTHROUGH!!
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Analyzing content Watch out for buzzwords/superlatives
BREAKTHROUGH!!
MIRACULOUS!!
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Analyzing content Watch out for buzzwords/superlatives
BREAKTHROUGH!!
MIRACULOUS!!
BESTSELLING!!
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Analyzing content Watch out for buzzwords/superlatives
BREAKTHROUGH!!MIRACULOUS!!BESTSELLING!!
Words generally used to try to convince the reader. Exclamation points and all caps are generally not
found in more writing.
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Analyzing content
Is the information oversimplified?Is it well-balanced?
- pros and cons mentioned?
The clinical practice of medicine involves a lot of “ifs,” “ands,” and “buts.”
The media and press tend to oversimplify to retain viewership.
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A Closer Look at Content (Fictional Example)
“A recent study shows that drinking grape juice reduces asthma attacks by 50 per cent”
Can you point out the potential problems of a statement like this?
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A Closer Look at Content (Fictional Example)“A recent study shows that drinking grape juice
reduces asthma attacks by 50 per cent”
What does “recent” mean?Is the study referenced anywhere?
Hyperlinked?Is this a case of the “telephone game?”
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A Closer Look at Content (Fictional Example)
“A recent study shows that drinking grape juice reduces asthma attacks by 50 per cent”
What does “50 per cent” mean? What is the sample size?
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A Closer Look at Content (Fictional Example)“A recent study shows that drinking grape juice
reduces asthma attacks by 50 per cent”
Is there a corresponding advertisement?Or is the website produced by the America’s
Grape Growers Association (fictional group)?
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Timing References to studies
mention of date or easy link to original article orbibliography
How often is the site updated?
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Symptom Searches and Self-diagnosisWebMDGoogleMayo Clinic
scary stuff anxiety-provoking
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Symptom Searches and Self-diagnosis
It’s OK if you looked something up on the web.
If you’re worried about a particular diagnosis, go ahead and tell your doc.
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Symptom Searches and Self-diagnosis
BUT remember, that your doctor will give you the best possible diagnosis based on your story and his/her examination of you.
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Other mediaJournalism
Health reporting is often in the hands of people who are not well-trained to critically appraise studies/journal articles. Omit limitations of studies.
“Fear-mongering”/sensationalism attracts viewers.
Sometimes do not fact checkTV doctors
Keep in mind: they work for TV stations who, in turn, care about viewership.
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Other media (cont.)• Social media
Have to follow the “right people” to get the best quality health info
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Where does your primary care doctor fit in all this?
He/she asks the right questionsIntegrates and individualizesUnbiasedHas your interest at heart
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Recommended health websites
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MedlinePlus
“MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.”
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CDC.gov
“CDC Mission: Collaborating to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health – through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats.”
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Cancer.gov
“The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients”
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MayoClinic.com
Non-profit medical practice and medical research group
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FamilyDoctor.org
“The mission of FamilyDoctor.org is to provide scientifically accurate information from a family medicine perspective to improve the health of all individuals and communities”
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KingCounty.gov
Health section
Local information
From disease outbreaks to information on cancer screening to healthy recipes
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HealthNewsReview.org
“What is HealthNewsReview.org?HealthNewsReview.org is a website dedicated to:Improving the accuracy of news stories about medical treatments, tests, products and procedures.Helping consumers evaluate the evidence for and against new ideas in health care.We support and encourage the ABCs of health journalism.-Accuracy-Balance-Completeness”
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Can “.edu” be trusted?“Academic Medical Centers Often Guilty of
Research Hype”Wall Street Journal Blogs 5/4/2009
“Press Releases by Academic Medical Centers: Not So Academic”“Conclusion: Press releases from academic medical centers often promote research that has uncertain relevance to human health and do not provide key facts or acknowledge important limitations.”
Woloshin, S, et al. Annals of Internal Medicine May 5, 2009 vol. 150 no. 9 613-618
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ConclusionEvaluate for the following:
Who is responsible for the content? Are advertisements clearly marked? Is the information well-balanced? (Pros/cons) Is the content clearly dated? Are there timely updates?
Be careful: Of sites that have advertising for their own products Of web content that is based on personal experience and opinion
Avoid: Superlatives, all caps, exclamation points Sites where advertising is “sneaky.” Sites that want your personal health information
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ConclusionTake breaking news in health with a grain of
salt.There are very few encyclopedic-level
authorities when it comes to health information online.
Partner with a doctor you trust. Have a primary care doctor.
The good news: we are already seeing a movement towards the promotion of better health information online.
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THANK YOU.