Uncritical reverence in CM reporting: Assessing the scientific quality of Australian news media reports

Lewis, Monique; Orrock, Paul J; Myers, Stephen P

doi:10.5172/hesr.2010.19.1.057

Cited by 28 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…One consequence of the pervasive presence of mass media is that people are frequently exposed to health claims from varied sources (for example, from the Internet, television, radio and magazines). Many of these claims are inaccurate . Basing health decisions on misinformation can be harmful to a person's health and a waste of resources of both individuals and health systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 70%

A qualitative study exploring high school students’ understanding of, and attitudes towards, health information and claims

Cusack

Desha

Mar

et al. 2017

Health Expectations

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BackgroundExposure to health claims, particularly in the media and social media, is pervasive, and the information conveyed is often inaccurate, incomplete or misleading. Some young people of high school ages are already making decisions about using readily available health interventions (such as sports drinks and beauty products).Although previous research has assessed adults’ understanding of health claims, no research has examined this issue in young adults who are attending high school.ObjectiveTo explore high school students’ understanding of, and attitudes towards, concepts relevant to assessing health information and claims.DesignA qualitative study involving semi‐structured interviews with 27 Australian high school students. Responses were recorded, transcribed and a thematic analysis performed. Three themes emerged as follows: (i) Variability in sources of health information and claims, and general understanding of their creation and accuracy of content, (ii) The use of substitute indicators to assess health information and claims and make judgements about their trustworthiness, (iii) Uncertainty about, and literal interpretation of, the language of health claims. Despite general scepticism of health claims and admitted uncertainty of research terminology, many students were generally convinced. Students had poor understanding about how health claims are generated and tended to rely on substitute indicators, such as endorsements, when evaluating the believability of claims.ConclusionSchool students’ lack of awareness of basic health research processes and methods of assessing the accuracy of health information and claims makes them vulnerable to distorted and misleading health information. This restricts their ability to make informed health decisions – a skill that increases in importance as they become adults.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 70%

A qualitative study exploring high school students’ understanding of, and attitudes towards, health information and claims

Cusack

Desha

Mar

et al. 2017

Health Expectations

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“…Supporting the CM information needs of medical students, thereby addressing the quality, safety, risks, and effectiveness of CM use, may be critical to ensuring QUM (McGuire et al ., ; Templeman et al ., ). As fully qualified doctors, students need to be able to discuss safety and evidence of CMs; however, previous research suggests that misinformation regarding CMs from inappropriate sources is common and may pose potential risks (Easton, ; Brauer et al ., ; Lewis et al ., ). In addition, multiple avenues may need to be searched to gain optimal information regarding CMs (McDermott et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Resourcing the clinical complementary medicine information needs of Australian medical students: Results of a grounded theory study

Templeman

Robinson

McKenna

2016

Nursing & Health Sciences

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The aim of this study was to identify Australian medical students' complementary medicine information needs. Thirty medical students from 10 medical education faculties across Australian universities were recruited. Data were generated using in-depth semi-structured interviews and constructivist grounded theory method was used to analyze and construct data. Students sought complementary medicine information from a range of inadequate sources, such as pharmacological texts, Internet searches, peer-reviewed medical journals, and drug databases. The students identified that many complementary medicine resources may not be regarded as objective, reliable, differentiated, or comprehensive, leaving much that medical education needs to address. Most students sought succinct, easily accessible, evidence-based information to inform safe and appropriate clinical decisions about complementary medicines. A number of preferred resources were identified that can be recommended and actively promoted to medical students. Therefore, specific, evidence-based complementary medicine databases and secondary resources should be subscribed and recommended to medical schools and students, to assist meeting professional responsibilities regarding complementary medicines. These findings may help inform the development of appropriate medical information resources regarding complementary medicines.

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“…[8][9][10][11] However, there are substantial barriers that prevent journalists from improving the scientific quality of their reports, 12 and evaluations have found major shortcomings of health stories in the media. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Therefore, audiences must be able to appraise the reliability of claims about treatment effects in the mass media, as elsewhere. This includes claims about the effects of drugs, surgery and other types of "modern medicine"; claims about lifestyle changes, such as changes to what you eat or how you exercise; claims about herbal remedies and other types of "traditional" or "alternative medicine"; claims about public health and environmental interventions; and claims about changes in how healthcare is delivered, financed and governed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the Informed Health Choices podcast on the ability of parents of primary school children in Uganda to assess claims about treatment effects: a randomised controlled trial

et al. 2017

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Uncritical reverence in CM reporting: Assessing the scientific quality of Australian news media reports

Cited by 28 publications

References 2 publications

A qualitative study exploring high school students’ understanding of, and attitudes towards, health information and claims

A qualitative study exploring high school students’ understanding of, and attitudes towards, health information and claims

Resourcing the clinical complementary medicine information needs of Australian medical students: Results of a grounded theory study

Effects of the Informed Health Choices podcast on the ability of parents of primary school children in Uganda to assess claims about treatment effects: a randomised controlled trial

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