Guide Of Using Of Internet For Patient - Assignment Example

Guide Of Using Of Internet For Patient The importance of the internet cannot be overemphasized. It is indeed the hub of information and contains more information than perhaps all libraries in the world put together. One element of the internet that makes it extremely beneficial to patients is that it has the capacity of giving them first-hand information on their health situations and conditions. This notwithstanding, the internet can serve a user a very bad purpose in the search for information if the right guidelines are not followed. Ensuring that information on the internet is accurate and reliable could be a tedious thing to do but it is worthwhile because one piece of misinformation to a patient; for instance on the dosage of a drug may even cause the death of the patient. For accuracy and reliability, the CARS Checklist is recommended. This checklist admonishes the user to look out for credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, and support. The table below summarizes what a user should expect under each area. Component What to look out for Good only if: Credibility author’s credentials, e.g. a professional in the subject of discussion evidence of quality control, e.g. peer review available known or respected authority, organizational support, e.g. global bodies like UN, IMF, WHO The source supplies some good evidence that allows you to trust it is used. Accuracy Up to date, e.g. website reviewed on regular bases Factual, detailed, exact, and comprehensive, e.g. not a source that rushes with details without explaining. Audience and purpose reflect intentions of completeness and accuracy. The source is correct today (not yesterday), a source that gives the whole truth is used Reasonableness Fair, balanced, objective, reasoned, no conflict of interest, the absence of fallacies or slanted tone. The source engages the subject thoughtfully and reasonably, concerned with the truth. Support Listed sources, e.g. reference list Contact information, e.g. detailed contact of writer Available corroboration, e.g. joint research Claims supported, documentation supplied e.g. source that has a reference to its own claims. The source provides convincing evidence for the claims made, a source you can triangulate Adapted from Copyright owner: Harris (2007) Scenario and Recommendations It is appreciated by the NSW Department of Education and Training (2011) that “the growth of the World Wide Web to more than 2 billion web pages makes searching and finding information like trying to find the proverbial “needle in a haystack.” Likely, there are search engines that make the search of information very simple. Agatha is a twenty-eight year old married woman. She has been married for one year now and has not had conception yet. Agatha misses her menses and goes to the hospital for medical check-up and examination. A laboratory test conducted at the laboratory reveals that Agatha is about three weeks pregnant. Three weeks on, Agatha goes to the hospital again and she is asked to go and take a scan of her pregnancy because it is a new hospital. When Agatha goes to take the scan, the result is that the fetus is not seen. The morning before the scan, Agatha saw blood stains in her panty. Agatha comes home from the hospital very worried because the doctor did not give her much information about the two experiences she had today expect that she is given a referral date. She is very desperate to get information because this is her first pregnancy and she is very naïve about this new health concern. Her greatest fear is that there are several cases of miscarriage in her family and so she is simply confused and needs more information. As a family member, health practitioner and someone very familiar with the use of the internet, I would recommend the website, http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/ for Agatha. On the contrary, I would advise Agatha against visiting http://wiki.answers.com/Q/FAQ/443. My choice of website for Agatha is based on the guidelines given on the first page. The Women’s Health Website (2011) is recommended because of a number of reasons: 1. The website is a government-hosted website. The website is a project of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. This means that the credibility of authors can be trusted. Clearly, the website is hosted by experts in the area of women’s health. 2. Because it is a governmental agency, there is a high probability of an effective editing and quality control in place. This is because any misinformation would go a long way to tarnish the image of the United States as a whole. 3. Moreover, the expert contributors have their contact information on the website for further clarifications, questioning and expert assistance. 4. The website's content is not written by just one person but collaborated. This means that there is no rush for rush. 5. Another important feature is that the website is updated on a daily basis and therefore contains new and reformed information on women’s health. 6. Again, the website has a defined and targeted audience. This is seen in how the various topics have been sub-grouped to ensure that issues are not mixed up and that search for information is easy. 7. Above all, there are fact sheets and links, leading to the sources of the information on the website. The other website, which is wiki answers is not recommended because of the following reasons. 1. Inputs to the website are done by the general public. This means that the credibility of the authors cannot be trusted. 2. The accuracy of information is questionable because most information on the website is outdated. 3. There is lack of Fair, balance, and objectivity because authors are not experts but people sharing their opinions. 4. There are signs of conflicts of interest because of the diversity of author base. As a matter of fact, there are single questions with varying answers. 5. Virtually none of the information given on the website is well sourced or referenced. In conclusion, the guide above should always be followed to ensure that the best is gotten out of the usage of the internet and for that matter websites. REFERENCE LIST Harris R. (2007). Evaluating Internet Research Sources. Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm NSW Department of Education and Training (2011). Surfing the net: Tips for avoiding wipe-outs! Retrieved October 9, 2011 from http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/pdhpe/crosscurriculum/ict/ict_004.htm Women’s Health Organization. (2011) Pregnancy. Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/ Read More