Who can you trust? A review of free online sources of "trustworthy" information about treatment effects for patients and the public.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Information about effects of treatments based on unsystematic reviews of research evidence may be misleading. However, finding trustworthy information about the effects of treatments based on systematic reviews, which is accessible to patients and the public can be difficult. The objectives of this study were to identify and evaluate free sources of health information for patients and the public that provide information about effects of treatments based on systematic reviews.

Methods

We reviewed websites that we and our colleagues knew of, searched for government sponsored health information websites, and searched for online sources of health information that provide evidence-based information. To be included in our review, a website had to be available in English

SUBMITTER: Oxman AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6381637 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature