In a world that is currently inundated with health information, it is more crucial than ever to begin to discern which sources are credible as you make informed decisions about your own well-being. While there have been many benefits between the physician and patient relationship with patients being armed with more knowledge about their health, the quality of information that is now publicly available can be questioned on many accounts – which may lead to more struggles than benefits.
In fact, the WHO has reported that on some social media platforms, falsehoods are 70% more likely to be shared than accurate news! This alarming number mixed with an increase in awareness and accessibility to information online highlights the ever increasing need for evidence-based products, as well as how to uncover which information sources are reputable, as patients seek reliable information.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has worked to develop principles to guide development and posting of web content, and while these are specific to AMA websites, many other online health platforms have worked to adopt many of these principles below as a rule of thumb when assessing info for credibility on the web.
Credibility Check:
Accessing the credibility of health information is pivotal. Here are the essential steps:
- Select Identifiable Sources
- Does the information you are reviewing come with an identifiable source or author? Journals or web content from medical institutions or government health agencies are typically a source of credible information.
- Contact information, such as a mailing address or phone number will enhance legitimacy.
- Does the web address end in “.edu” “.gov” and “.org”? These websites typically signify educational, governmental, or nonprofit sources respectively.
- Credentials Matter
- Verify the source credentials of the author or organization are viable, do you trust them to provide balanced and accurate information? Does the organization have the required expertise in the field? A credible source as defined by the National Academy of Medicine is “a source that offers high-quality information and employs a process to reduce conflict or interest, and promote transparency and accountability.”
- Consider if the information has undergone some form of peer review which adds to the credibility.
- Beware of Red Flags
- If the information is lacking any identifiable publishers or authors, think twice about receiving info from this source.
- If the information primarily aims to sell a product, consider that this could be a possible conflict of interest and look elsewhere.
How to Ensure Accuracy Assessment
Scientific Evidence
Health information falls within the realm of the sciences, so when you are evaluating what you are viewing for credibility and accuracy it is important to look for scientific evidence. Look for evidence that is derived from scientific studies, data analysis, or expert opinions. A gold standard for reliability is checking if information is backed by random control studies which confirms that there has been a rigorous and unbiased approach to the subject at hand.
Source Verification
Check that the information you are reading cites its original source. When this occurs, you can be sure that the information is practicing transparency and reliability of information. Furthermore, this verifies that multiple sources corroborate the facts which ensures an additional layer of consistency across references.
Up-to-Date Information
Staying up to date in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare is vital. Outdated information in fields where developments occur frequently can cause undue stress and strain. Verify that publication dates are the most recent, and that your information is current to reflect the latest understanding or discoveries.
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
Anonymous Information
Approach any information without an identifiable source with a great deal of skepticism. Anything written from an anonymous source lacks accountability and is not following the standards of credibility. Ensure there is a clearly identified author of any article for an added layer of transparency and reliability.
Conflict of Interest
Is the site you are visiting interested in selling a product? Consider this a red flag as the data presented on the site may be biased or one sided with the intent to sell. This is stated as a financial Conflict of Interest. Having biased or one-sided information does not fully present a full picture, and can certainly be skewed towards a particular viewpoint. It is crucial to seek comprehensive and impartial views to make informed decisions about your health.
Miraculous Claims
Anything that seems too good to be true likely is! Any form of secret cures or miraculous claims without proper evidence, citations, references, or supporting evidence should be approached with caution. Credible health information is always built on a foundation of research, studies, and data. Anything lacking in these three key areas should be treated with caution.
Poor Grammar and Spelling
Poor grammar or spelling errors can be a key indicator of poor quality control. This is a huge red flag as quality health information should always be presented professionally and accurately. If you are seeing a high number of mistakes or misspellings, question the accuracy of the content.
Always Ask Questions!
If something looks suspicious on the news channels or in social media, be sure you ask yourself questions. Many of the above-listed questions can be used interchangeably for social media. Be sure you know where the info is coming from, why it exists, and if there is anyone funding it.
On the news, in small segments you may not see all of the information you need to know. You can ask questions like, does the story say whether research involved people or animals? How long was the study? Who paid for this research? Was it a study based on statistical principles of randomization with control groups?
Asking questions and becoming familiar with the idea of questioning your sources will arm you with better tools to judge the credibility of sources.
Dr. V’s Opinion
“When in doubt, reach out :)”
Got More Questions?
We are here at Los Gatos Doc for any questions you may have regarding your specific health questions. While the internet provides a wealth of information, nothing replaces the value of meeting with a doctor who is specifically discussing your health based on up-to-date evidence and what is relevant to you. If you are needing a refresh on your own health journey, call and schedule your next wellness check with us today.