1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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 May 23-30; 285(20): )

5. 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)

6. 5 Basic Criteria Accuracy Authority Bias Currency Coverage
Each of these alone is meaningless, but together create solid guidelines for evaluation

7. 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

8. Accuracy Example

9. 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

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

11. Authority Example

12. 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

13. Bias Example

14. 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

15. Currency Example

16. 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?

17. Coverage Example

18. 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

19. Additional Resources (pt.2)
Click on health topics, select health fraud

20. 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