Evaluating Medical Stories

Evaluating Medical Stories in the Media

The mission of the Moses Taylor Hospital HealthInfo Library is: to offer access to a reliable and up-to-date collection of consumer health materials in print and electronic formats; to provide information services for the community so they can become more informed about health and wellness issues and therefore make better health care decisions; to be a health resource center for the community.

Surveys show that today's main source of health information is from print and broadcast media. Too many people unquestioningly believe what they read, see or hear in the popular press. Too often patients only half hear what they're told in a doctor's office - perhaps because it's easier to absorb information at home than in an anxiety-provoking clinical atmosphere. Yet, medical news can be poorly reported and simplified to the point of distortion. The following hints may help you evaluate the information you receive through the media.

1. Bring a healthy degree of caution when viewing medical stories.

Never jump to swift conclusions. Changing your lifestyle on the basis of a single report or the results of one study isn't usually warranted.

2. Remember that most medical stories are done by reporters without medical backgrounds.
Reporters are looking for the "human interest" angle in stories. Stories are often cut to fit time and space requirements therefore, important information may be excluded or facts may not be thoroughly checked.

3. Understand what medical terms mean.
The term "study" is a research investigation done to prove or disprove something. Results are often released before proper testing is completed. The test groups are often too small or the testing takes place over a too short a period of time. Results may change as more findings are reported. The term "proves" is based on scientific evidence systematically gathered from several studies. One study, taken alone, seldom proves anything.

4. Distrust terms such as "Medical Milestone", "Breakthrough", or "Dramatic Advances".
Scientific progress is usually slow and steady, based on the gradual accumulation of facts, rather than a matter of sudden breakthroughs.

5. Check the source of information.
Medical information should contain the researcher(s), the name of the institution(s), medical journals where reported and statistics of findings.

6. Beware of studies done to sell a product.

Use common sense. It is easy to believe what is seen and/or read because you want it to help your particular medical condition.

7. Any information received through the media should not be a substitute for a medical professional.
Always discuss with your personal physician any new or different developments as they may pertain to your medical history and treatment options.

Sites we use frequently in the HealthInfo Library to answer health related questions

700 Quincy Avenue Scranton PA 18510-1798
(570) 340-2100 TTY (570) 969-9705