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.

http://www.malepregnancy.com/

Accuracy example

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

http://members.tripod.com/~tourette13/

Authority example

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

http://www.dhmo.org/

Bias example

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?

http://www.medical-library.net/

Coverage example

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