We are embarking on a journey to bring evidence-based, curated, and user-friendly information to patients who may be facing healthcare decisions or simply wanting to take a more active role in their wellness journey.
Shared Decisions is a space where people can find blog posts based on factual information and reliable sources on topics that impact their healthcare. The site is a resource of explainer blog posts and evidence-based links. We welcome comments and questions to expand the conversation.
Healthcare Topics
- Coronavirus: COVID-19
- Strategies for Self-Care
- Trusted Resources
- Virus vs Bacteria
- Safe Use of Antibiotics
- Managing Pain
How do I know what resources I can trust?
Shared Decisions evaluates resources based on four criteria. You can use these as a test for information you hear or read too.
- Is it accurate? Verify the information you already know against the information found in the source. Look also for disclaimers as to the accuracy of the content. You may also want to double-check the information against a source that you already know is trustworthy. Even though a source may use technical language, the content may be misleading.
- Is it from an authority? Make sure the source is written by a trustworthy author and/or institution. If you are viewing a webpage, you can usually identify the owner/publisher by the URL. On social media or in a magazine, you may need to do some digging to make sure the author has the proper credentials on the subject matter. Also, determine if the source is biased. For example, if it is medical information from a drug company, know that the company will probably only provide information in support of its product. Be aware of the objectivity of the author and his/her viewpoints and know that news sources don’t guarantee that what you’re getting is factual news.
- Is it current? Look for content that is up-to-date. When searching online include the current year as part of your search to find more recent information. This is particularly important for healthcare because treatments change and recommendations are constantly being updated.
- What is the coverage? Examine the rest of the content of the source and how it fits your information needs. You’ll want to look for relevant, in-depth coverage that uses data to make a point or back up a recommendation.