Wading Through the Web

Just came across a great resource that also uses an "Internet as sea" metaphor. It's called Women Wading Through the Web.

Produced by women's health experts at Women's College Hospital in Toronto, this toolkit provides a comprehensive, highly readable review of topics that are relevant for both men and women:

• How to improve your search skills using search engines and other search tools and strategies
• How to judge the quality of a website
• How to interpret medical research
• How to analyze health information from the media

Here are the six questions the authors suggest you ask yourself in evaluating a website:

1. Who is responsible for the website? Always check the sections called "About Us," "Who We Are," "Our Company." In general, non-profit and government sites are considered more reliable while commercial sites should be viewed within the context of what they might be selling. Look for copyright lines at the bottom of the home page to determine sponsorship and potential bias
2. What is the purpose of the site? Read sections like "Our Mission," Our Goals," "Our History."  Is it written for consumers or healthcare professionals? 
3. Can I understand the website? Most websites for consumers are written at 8th grade reading level or above. If you have trouble navigating around the site and finding the information you need, look for another site that presents information in a way that is more in line with your learning style
4. Is the information accurate, objective and trustworthy? Is the information based on research? Are sources referenced e.g., recognized medical journals? Are authors and/or names of advisory board members listed? Are they affiliated with leading medical schools or medical centers? Remember, while personal stories and opinions may provide interesting perspectives, they are not  the same as objective, evidence-based information
5. How current is the information? Always look for "last updated" information and if it isn't recent, move on to another site. Medical research is rapid and ongoing with new findings published every day. Even reputable sites have information that is no longer completely accurate
6. Does the website respect my privacy? Read the "Terms of Use" and privacy policies. Make sure you understand what information the website is collecting about you and how it will be used. Some sites sell or have agreements with their advertisers to share information

Two final caveats: 

1. No website is the definite source of health information nor will it ever replace the clinical expertise of a physician who knows the full details of your medical history
2. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Search Strategy: Are You a Surfer, a Swimmer or a Deep-Sea Diver?

There's a line in Bob Dylan's autobiography, Chronicles, Volume 1, that I love. Talking about his collaboration with record producer Daniel Lanois, Dylan writes, "He wanted to dive in and go deep. He wanted to marry a mermaid."

That same metaphor might be used to describe search technique. Some of us have a deep-sea diver approach, some are more comfortable gliding along the surface, and others jump in and try to swim with the current.

Given the amount of information on the Internet, it is easy to get overwhelmed or, by not going deep enough, to miss something important. So while there is a certain amount of serendipity in all research, it's a good idea to start with some preparation.

In Planning a Search Strategy, Angela Nicholson, a librarian at the Edinburgh University Library, suggests that using a systematic approach is most efficient and most likely to produce the best results. A few highlights adapted for medical search follow. Please note, I used breast cancer as an example but the suggestions can be used to find information about any disease or condition. 

Step 1: Make sure you fully understand your question/topic. If you are unsure of the meaning of any words or terms, look them up in an online medical dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical) before you begin. Knowing exactly what you are looking for will help you fine-tune your search and evaluate results. 

Step 2: Identify key words and phrases. For example, instead of searching for a general term like "breast cancer treatment," try variations of "new guidelines for the treatment of breast cancer 2010." This will increase your chances of getting the most relevant and current information. 

Steps 3: Think of broader terms, narrower terms, related terms. A while back I was looking for information about “balloon radiology for breast cancer." I found references to “brachytherapy” and “internal radiation” on the American Cancer Society site (www.cancer.org) and then used those terms to refine my search statement:

• “Clinical evidence for internal radiation in treating breast cancer”
• “Safety and efficacy of brachytherapy in treating breast cancer”
• “Comparative safety and efficacy for internal radiation and full breast radiation” 

Step 4: Start searching. Ask yourself at each step, what sort of information do I need? In the example above, I went from wanting to know the basics about balloon radiology for breast cancer, to how effective it was, to whether or not it was as effective as full breast radiation which is usually the recommended treatment following a lumpectomy. 

Next time...how to evaluate search results...or how to know when you've met the right mermaid or merman. 

Reference

Planning a Search Strategy by Angela Nicholson. Accessed 4/10/10 at http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/resbysub/PDF/search_skills_A4_booklet.pdf