Fad or Fact? Assessing Validity of Information
- aubrierdh
- Oct 8, 2015
- 3 min read
In a recent study, it was found that more than 40% of consumers allow information found on social media to affect the way they deal with their own health.
As most know, what we read on social media is not alway valid information. This is why when reading up on current health information, it is important to be receiving accurate information. As a consumer, being able to decipher reliable news and information sources from those whom are less reliable is a key skill to have.
For the October 2015 issue, the Journal of the American Dental Association, utilized their “for the patient” section to make some recommendations on evaluating resources. According to the article, there are key questions to ask yourself when reading information to help determine the likelihood of its reliability:
Who is Publishing the Information? Is the website or print related to the article a for-profit or nonprofit agency? Knowing the motives behind the source of the information can tell you a lot about how trustworthy and unbiased the information provided is. A general rule of thumb is; web addresses ending in .gov are government websites and .edu are those tied to schools, these two sources are more likely to provide trustworthy information. If a website does not end in .gov or .edu, browse the “About Us” section to read more about the publishing company. A trustworthy source will be providing information without bias; all information will be disclosed without fear of convincing readers to see one point of view over another.
Do They Want Anything From You? If a website is asking you to provide information about yourself. Asking for a name or email address is relatively commonplace, however, if the source is asking questions that may be considered sensitive health information then think twice before you enter it. Sites that record such data will usually have a Privacy Policy; a policy that states the site owner’s intentions in regards to your information. Read this first, if you still have doubts, don’t give up your information. Usually, if the information you are looking for is factual, it can be located at a different source who may not require such information in exchange for access.
How Current is the Information? The more recent, the better. Look at the date that the information was published, released, posted or reviewed. The older the article or information, the more likely it is that it is outdated and no longer completely factual.
Where are They Getting Their Information? Resources should identify the source of their information. If information is being provided post research or a professional opinion may be represented by a spokesperson. Information provided based on research should provide citations for those sources referenced or utilized in obtaining their information. If the story is purely a testimonial, this can not be seen as accurate or binding healthcare information as they are personal experiences, rather than generalized facts.
Why are They Putting Out This Information? The end goal of the information provider is important. Determine if they are trying to sell you something or get you to sign on for a cause. If the publisher ultimately benefits from people taking their advice then it is a much less reliable source.
While the internet has been an amazing advancement in society and our ability to access information and expand our personal knowledge bases, it is also a dangerous place. Due to the lack of transparency, sometimes it is difficult to tell if the information we are getting is factual or not.
Be an advocate for yourself and be sure to research the sources of any advice you are thinking about following. As always, if the advice you are seeking affects your health in any way, you should always check the information you find with your personal healthcare provider (doctor, dentist, etc) before implementing it.
sources:
http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/ForthePatient._1015pdf.ashx
http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/files/2012/12/social-media-healthcare.png?red=at
http://healthfinder.gov/aboutus/QualityGuidelines.aspx
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