Many of us immediately turn to Google when we sniffle or experience a weird symptom, like an itch that won’t scratch. Doctor Google can be a fear monger, suggesting worst-case scenarios and taking us down a rabbit hole.
At the same time, trusted content at the right time can reassure and support. It can help us make meaningful health and lifestyle changes, offering practical support and ongoing advice through chronic problems.
The key is finding which content you can trust in the ocean-like expanse of the Internet. Below is a practical guide to help you separate the riff from the raff.
1. Look for Sources and Citations
A golden rule of authentic content is that it must cite its sources. It is even more vital for healthcare content as it may directly impact the health of readers who follow the stated advice.
Content that makes sweeping claims about a medication or lifestyle change but does not substantiate these claims is not credible.
If you are usually skeptical, it might feel absurd that some people fall for wild claims. However, several factors are at play here, from racial discrimination to tragic past experiences.
The American Psychological Association notes that vulnerable people who feel that the medical system has mistreated them are more likely to seek and believe claims of alternative medicine.
Further, not all sources are alike. Previously, there have been cases where a business entity has created fictional or temporary agencies to “certify” their products.
Here are some ways to know if the sources are likely to be authentic:
- The source is an academic journal, a well-known regulatory or government agency, or a trusted, non-partisan news portal. If it is scholarly, ensure it is a peer-reviewed paper featured in an established journal.
- The website is free of spelling and grammar errors.
- The website does not have annoying and intrusive pop-ups.
- The source has a focal area instead of being a Jack of all trades. Forums and blogs are not the most reliable for a sensitive domain like healthcare.
- The content does not appear biased or too intent on forcing a specific viewpoint without objectivity.
2. Be Wary of Propaganda
Though it is unfortunate, propaganda is rampant in the healthcare domain. The recent Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar aptly depicted the devastating effects of following unfounded treatments like the Gerson Therapy for cancer. And yet, many websites host content that promises silver-bullet cures for terminal diseases, obesity, and chronic illnesses.
Healthcare entities, like hospitals or medical sterilization facilities, may create significant content for PR. Meaningful, verified material can be a valuable read, even when the intention is to promote an organization. However, content that aims to wash over potential risks or side effects of treatments or procedures is a red flag.
For instance, the currently ongoing ethylene oxide lawsuit exposes how some medical sterilization facilities like Sterigenics are cavalier about their emissions, releasing cancer-causing compounds into the air.
According to TorHoerman Law, the involved facilities must take accountability for endangering the lives of workers and nearby communities. It exemplifies how an indispensable healthcare function such as sterilization can also pose safety risks.
As a thumb rule, readers should be wary when perusing content that tries to make light of potentially unsafe healthcare practices. Such content could also relate to prominent names in the pharmaceutical or wellness worlds.
3. Social Content and UGC is Best Consumed With a Pinch of Salt
The healthcare content most likely to be unauthentic is stuff available on social media. It seems severe, but several reports have found that social content has serious factual issues. It includes material you may view on platforms like Meta or Instagram.
Lately, even LinkedIn has developed a problem of users sharing false stories and passing them off as personal experiences. Their goal is to improve their analytics, and they couldn’t care less whether the readers suffer.
NPR recently discussed how social media is full of fake wellness advice, such as supporting the safety of six-week-old raw milk or practicing multi-level marketing.
WhatsApp forwards are another problematic category of content, as many of them spread misinformation. The ease of having text or an infographic at your fingertips makes sharing tempting. It encourages friends and relatives to try concepts like the carnivore diet for weight loss, a popular online trend. It is upsetting when such extreme diets leave many feeling worse about their body and potentially unhealthy due to erratic eating habits they struggle to maintain.
What is worse, some people don’t do adequate research before sharing content on social media. For example, the APA notes that much social media content on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is unfavorable. In reality, research does not support ideas like CBT being a form of psychological invalidation.
The Internet is bursting with information on every subject, but a lot of it is biased, unproven, or simply untrue. Healthcare is a sensitive field, making it crucial to consult professionals when in distress and not rely on strangers to examine your uploaded test reports. The data-related threats of sharing too much online are another can of worms altogether.
The next time you bookmark healthcare content, we hope this guide will help you make better reading choices.
