From Snake Oil to Penicillin: Evaluating Consumer Health on the Internet Terri Ottosen, MLIS, AHIP Consumer Health Coordinator National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern Atlantic Region

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 Please answer True or False for each statement: All health information on the web is accurate and reliable Reference librarians can provide advice about health information About half of Internet health seekers check the source and timeliness of information every time they search for health information

The issue Increased number of: Patients accessing information on the Internet Health-related websites Patients believe the 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 Websites 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 create solid guidelines for evaluation

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 http://www.malepregnancy.com

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 ~ The Domain .com, .org, .edu Contact information About us

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

Bias Does the author bring any biases in posting this information? Remember: Web pages are often “soapboxes” Goals of the author aren’t clearly stated Watch out for the emotional “kick” Photographs, exclamation points, huge fonts

Bias Example http://www.dhmo.org/

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 http://www.webmd.com/menopause/features/hrt-revisiting-the-hormone-decision

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

Additional Resources http://www.quackwatch.com Site developed by a psychiatrist Author is admittedly anti-alternative, anti-complementary medicine Site can be used to gather background information on questionable treatments

Additional Resources (pt.2) http://medlineplus.gov Click on health topics, select health fraud

Post-test Please answer true or false for each statement: All health information on the web is accurate and reliable Reference librarians can provide advice about health information About half of Internet health seekers check the source and timeliness of information every time they search for health information