1. 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

2. Whom to Trust?

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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).

6. 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)

7. 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!

8. 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.

9. http://www.malepregnancy.comhttp://www.malepregnancy.com/ Accuracy example

10. 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.

11. The URL The Tilde  ~ The Domain  “Dot coms” Contact Information About Us

12. http://members.tripod.com/~tourette13/ Authority example

13. 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

14. http://www.dhmo.org/ Bias example

15. 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

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

17. 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?

18. http://www.medical-library.net/ Coverage example

19. 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

20. Additional Resources (cont.) MedlinePlus.gov  Click on Health Topics (select health fraud)

21. 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.

22. How to Reach Us Web site: http://nnlm.gov/ Phone: 1.800.338.7657