terri ottosen, mlis, ahip consumer health coordinator national network of libraries of medicine,...
DESCRIPTION
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.TRANSCRIPT
Terri Ottosen, MLIS, AHIPConsumer Health CoordinatorNational Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern Atlantic Region
From Snake Oil to Penicillin: Evaluating Consumer Health Information on the Internet
Whom to Trust?
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.
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 site’s information every time they search for health information.
Name three criteria for evaluating a web site.
The Issue Increased 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).
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)
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!
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 don’t exist.
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.
The URL
The Tilde ~
The Domain “Dot coms”
Contact Information
About Us
Bias
Does the author bring any biases in posting the information? Remember:
Web pages often are “soapboxes”
Goals of the author aren’t clearly stated
Watch out for the emotional “kick”…photographs, exclamation points, huge fonts
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
http://www.webmd.com/menopause/features/hrt-revisiting-the-hormone-decision
Currency example
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?
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
Additional Resources (cont.)
MedlinePlus.gov Click on Health Topics
(select health fraud)
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 site’s information every time they search for health information.
Name three criteria for evaluating a web site.
How to Reach Us
Web site: http://nnlm.gov/
Phone: 1.800.338.7657