Terri Ottosen, MLIS, AHIP Consumer Health Coordinator National 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 May 23-30; 285(20): ).

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.

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

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

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

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?

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 FAbout 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.

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