We need to talk … about how you Google health stuff

An article written by Dr. Seth Nicholls, Research Fellow, CareSearch

Ok, so, let’s be honest: most of us have had a quick chat with ‘Dr. Google’ at some point. It may have been in the middle of the night. Or after noticing something that didn’t seem right. It may have been after that friend’s diagnosis prompted you to investigate the (possible) cause(s) of those minor symptoms you’d been trying to ignore for six months (‘Could they be something … serious?’). Or it may have been about one of the really big issues; like death, dying, or what happens at the very end of life.

At CareSearch, we understand the temptation to confer with the Good Doctor (Google) from time to time. Heck, we might even do it ourselves occasionally. But we also believe that everyone needs access to clear, trustworthy, evidence-based online healthcare information–particularly when it comes to end-of-life care.

Why we need to talk

If, like me, you’re old enough to remember when the Soviet Union existed and the internet didn’t, you probably remember people talking about things like the ‘information superhighway’ and how wonderful it was going to be when everyone could access information from all over the world via the internet. And, to be fair, the internet has delivered in spades – enabling access to information beyond any of our wildest expectations. What the 1990s spin doctors didn’t mention (or at least, emphasised less) were the problems that access to incomprehensibly large quantities of (often) unfiltered information from innumerable sources would present for the average person. For example, when searching for information online, how on Earth does one determine what’s trustworthy and reliable, particularly in complex areas that require specialised knowledge or subject matter expertise?  

Why we care about this

Arguably, nowhere is the ability to separate the wheat from the proverbial chaff more important – and difficult – than in relation of online health information. This is because the healthcare decisions which are made by consumers and clinicians alike are informed by the information to which they access. And it’s a jungle out there! The internet contains hundreds of thousands of websites, articles, social media posts and the like offering information and advice. Some of these sources of information support robust decision-making about health and wellbeing. Others are like asking your broke brother-in-law for investment advice: misleading, risky, and a great way to make bad decisions. 

How we’re responding to the problem

While the resources provided by CareSearch are vital, we’re acutely aware that providing such information is only part of the solution. This is because the information that we (and others like us) provide has to be searched for, located and used by actual human beings. People like you. And it’s our responsibility to ensure that resources such as CareSearch provide you with information the way that you need it.

To help create online health resources that people can find, access, understand and use in a way that makes a difference, we’re currently investigating:

• How people assess the trustworthiness of the information they find online
• The technologies that people use to find health information
• How access to trusted information about palliative care helps people in their work and decision-making
• What might make online health resources more helpful, relevant and easy to use.

This is because, ultimately, being able to find the right information at the right time and use it in a way that supports better decision-making and health-related outcomes is just as important as the quality, trustworthiness, and reliability of the information that resources like CareSearch provide. 

Find out more

CareSearch provides trustworthy information about palliative care for patients, carers and families as well as for the health professionals providing their care. To find out what’s new, head to our CareSearch updates page or visit CareSearch at caresearch.com.au  

You can also read our latest research paper in BMJ Open on Enhancing the efficacy of healthcare information websites.

CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

Authors

Dr. Seth Nicholls

Research Fellow

CareSearch