On-Line Health Info: Valid? Or Junk?
Posted on October 4, 2014 by bob in In Every Life
Last month’s issue included segments about online healthcare information. One piece cautioned against self-diagnosis based on online information, while another encouraged careful consideration of information presented in media, including advertisements. The vast amount of information available about health research is the foundation for these suggestions.
Anyone can post anything on the internet. Junk science is a term that denotes skewing of partial findings or presenting 
incomplete information in order to promote a personal position or sales that could bring personal gain. The danger is not only in spending money on products that may be worthless, but that could also harm your health.
When reading snippets of abbreviated findings, how can you determine if those findings apply to your own health, or even if there is validity to what has been reported? Four critical areas to consider when evaluating such shortened reports of research and study findings are — source, credentials, sample characteristics, and strength of evidence.
1) Source
Findings from research studies are more reputable if they have been evaluated by multiple experts, in addition to the research team. These findings are usually presented in professional journals for further scrutiny. They may then be presented on websites for specialty organizations (ending in .org), government websites (ending in .gov), or educational websites (ending in .edu). Note that commercial websites (ending in .com) are not the best online source, because the presenter may be biased toward the product being sold.
2) Credentials
Do the credentials of the researchers or authors relate to the study being reported? Are similar findings presented by other reputable researchers, or is this the only finding of its kind? If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Go through the website to evaluate links to other reputable findings presented in professional journals or organizations. Determine if at some level, the author will sell books or other products based on the research findings (more likely to be biased).
3) Sample
Usually, the larger the sample, the more generalizable the findings. Additionally, it is important to identify the characteristics of the people in the sample. In what ways were those in the sample similar to you? If everyone in the sample is of a similar geographic background, age, and had the same health conditions as you, it is more likely the findings will be applicable to you.
4) Strength of the evidence
The most reliable findings combine and compare results from multiple studies to provide guidelines for practice. Results from randomized controlled trials (RTCs) increase the likelihood that outcomes are attributable to the treatment. Research findings from opinion surveys are not as strong as the types listed above. The weakest evidence is from opinions of one individual, even an expert, due to limitations of one person’s personal experiences.
Respected healthcare research teams may present peer-reviewed strong evidence, although the sample does not have exactly the same characteristics as you. That is where discussion with your healthcare provider is critical. Based on your individual health history, lifestyle, needs, and preferences, you and your healthcare provider can determine the possible risks or benefits of the product you have read about or seen advertised. Remember also that each product has the potential to interact with every other product used. Before making any changes in your healthcare practice, discuss findings you have read about or seen advertised with your healthcare professionals.
Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE, is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, and Immediate Past President of the AL State Nurses Association. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu.
