Wikipedia: Not the Answer for Medical Info
July 16, 2009 by blackgirlgrown
Filed under health and wellness, technology
Generally, Wikipedia is the go-to site for basic understanding on any number of topics. But it may not be the best place to go searching for answers to your medical maladies. USA Today reports:
The ability to research diseases and drugs on the Web has empowered patients in managing their health. More than 160 million adults in the U.S. have gone online to look for medical information. With two-thirds of them beginning their Internet health inquiry using a search engine, it is no wonder that Wikipedia has become a common medical resource for patients. More than half, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, reported that their most recent Web session influenced how they took care of themselves or for someone else, illustrating how critical online health information has become.
But Wikipedia’s medical entries — as has been reported with other entries on other issues — are not reliable for the simple fact that they are prone to manipulation, as is all Wikipedia content.
Anyone can write and edit its topics, which means millions of non-doctors can essentially dispense medical advice.
