Ayubowan - from Sri lanka
Internet opens up an unprecedented volume of information that changes even
faster as it produces. Searching for information is the least of the
problem from a healthcare provider's view point. Sorting valid information,
and judging its quality is time and money-consuming specially to a
developing country family doctor.
We have to rely on 'evaluated' health sites
But when u read an article like,
Rating Health Information on the Internet
Navigating to Knowledge or to Babel?
Alejandro R. Jadad, MD, DPhil; Anna Gagliardi, MSc, MLS
JAMA. 1998;279:611-614
<http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/journals/archive/jama/vol_279/no_8/jrv7104
2.htm#ref1>
A feeling of hopelessness and frustration creeps in. To quote from this
article :-(
"In summary, a large number of incompletely developed instruments to
evaluate health information on the Internet exist. It is unclear, however,
whether they should exist in the first place, whether they measure what
they claim to measure, or whether they lead to more good than harm. We also
need to acknowledge that users may never notice or, if they notice, they
may choose to ignore any evidence in support of or against the
desirability, feasibility, and benefits of formal evaluations of health
information on the Internet, as may happen frequently with more traditional
paper-based information."
"With the Internet and the rapid development of other information
technology, we are facing a sea change in health care. The Internet is
creating new opportunities to improve decisions and communication in health
care, but it can also generate many unprecedented problems. In the midst of
an unparalleled information revolution, good communication, scholarly
discussions, and rigorous evaluations are more crucial than ever. If we
fail to meet the current challenges, we may miss an extraordinary
opportunity to make health care more efficient and equitable, moving
instead into a health care environment ruled by confusion, battles of
opinion, anxiety, and unnecessary conflicts."
Is this what the Evidence Based Medicine paradigm is all about? Now it will
be Evidence Based Internet (EBI).
To practice medicine as a 'good' family doctor, how importance is EBI?
"We are treating our Planet Earth as if we have a spare one
lying in the boot of our car." Greenpeace
Dr.Kumara Mendis M.B.B.S., D.F.M.
Department of Community and Family Medicine and
Computer Centre
University of Kelaniya
Computer Centre email: [log in to unmask]
Personal Tel: 94-1-232280 Fax: 94-1-237360
Personal Email: [log in to unmask]
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