8 health information and consumers - qmed

INTERNET FOR AUTHENTIC MEDICAL INFORMATION

Vasumathi SriganeshQMed Knowledge Foundation

info@qmedkf.org.in

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT…..

SO…

• What do we believe?• How many pages of search results do

we go through?

USING INTERNET RESOURCES

Requires a very structured approach

STRUCTURED APPROACH

Learn:

• “About” resources

• How to search correctly and/or consult librarians / specialists

• How to understand research results and consult health professionals 

• Accept limitations of research results and methods and make correct personal decisions

ABOUT RESOURCES

First – Authenticity• Who is responsible for the website / resource?• Is it updated regularly / is the information current?• Purpose of the site - is there scope for bias?• Site organization – is it easy to find what you need

RESPONSIBILITY

Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/webeval/webeval_start.html 

EVALUATING…

“About Us”

• PABH: Doctors & Cardiologists; mission – to educate public; contact details provided

• IHH: “Select group of individuals and businesses concerned with heart health. – Site supported by a company that produces vitamins and other medications

– Link for buying medicines

– Contact details – only “webmaster”

ABOUT RESOURCES

Categorize them… and understand where to go

THREE CATEGORIES

Medical Information Resources – three main categories

• Background information / Factual information

• Results of all “reported research”– What works– What does not work– We don’t know yet

• Reported research– In labs– On people

• (Large studies)

WEBSITES

Can be 

• Single type 

• Combination types

Learn to identify what type of information each website provides!

MEDLINEPLUS.GOV

RESULTS OF RESEARCH

• Cochrane Summaries

• PubMed Health

summaries.cochrane.org

COCHRANE COLLABORATION

• Experts from different medical fields

– Eg: “Pregnancy and childbirth group”

ALSO:

• Cochrane Consumer Network

http://consumers.cochrane.org/ 

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/

SEARCHING

Searching correctly: Research Articles

www.pubmed.gov

(Database of 20 million journal articles)

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

• Searching is a structured art and science

• Know where to go

– Authentic resources – updated regularly

• Search correctly

• Evidence may/may not exist

• Take your decision with your doctor, based on “best available evidence”

QMED KNOWLEDGE FOUNDATION

• Conducts programs on correct searching for health professionals

• Developing plans to help consumers, with the help of doctors

• People involved

– Librarians specialized in medical information management

– Trustees – two doctors

BECOME A FRIEND OF QMED

QMED KNOWLEDGE FOUNDATION

www.qmedkf.org.in

facebook.com/qmedkf

www.indianmedicalsites.in