There is a wealth of information on the Internet, but much of it serves little purpose. When it comes to health websites, however, misinformation might not just be useless – it could be dangerous.
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A 1997 study set up to assess the accuracy and usefulness of health information on the Internet found that it varied radically in terms of accuracy, completeness and consistency. Last year scientists in Italy undertook a similar study to ascertain the current state of play.
The researchers re-examined the Web pages they have viewed in the first study as well as more recent page samples. They found the overall quality of health information on the Internet has improved over the past few years, but still varied widely. One factor impeding the progress of medical information on the Net is that it is often read by parties way beyond its target audience.
For example, untrained patients will always struggle with information sources intended for health professionals.
Nevertheless, the study found evidence that publishers of health information on the Internet are endeavouring to present accurate, consistent material in a useful way.
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By GlobalDataEditorial comment in the British Medical Journal reflected the view that regulation is not the right strategy for improving the quality of health information on the Net. “Other approaches, such as educating the producers of this content, look like a better long term bet,” the Journal commented.
