| Author/Editor | Ahčan, Uroš; Battelino, Saba; Cvenkel, Barbara; Danieli, Aljoša; Renko-Diallo, Doroteja; Gorjanc, Matija; Kopčavar-Guček, Nena; Pokorn, Marko; Preželj, Janez; Stražar, Klemen; Švigelj, Viktor; Tršinar, Bojan; Turel, Matjaž; Zupan, Matija | |
| Title | Strokovna ocena člankov z medicinsko vsebino v tiskanih medijih, namenjenih laičnim bralcem | |
| Translated title | Expert evaluation of laic articles with medical contents in printed media | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Zdrav Vestn | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 77, št. 10 | |
| Publication year | 2008 | |
| Volume | str. 707-17 | |
| Language | slo | |
| Abstract | Background The printed media accessible to laic readers contain much information on medical content. Among useful and scientifically based information one often finds statements that are misleading, biased or even harmful to one’s health. Our research is intended to assess the scientific correctness of laic articles containing medical information in printed media, as well as to examine what attitude laic readers express towards this source of medical information. Methods During a period of one month, we deliberately collected copies of a majority of printed media published in the Republic of Slovenia and searched for articles with medical contents. The latter were subsequently evaluated by experts from various medical fields. Results The research showed that 36 % of articles lacked clearly stated authorship. 82 % of articles lacked sources where the information had been drawn from. As for specific scientific criteria (imperfect data, unproven statements, information harmful to health, advertising) an array of examples is displayed. The research shows that advertising within articles is in a statistically significant relation to a higher incidence of mistakes concerning the scientific appropriateness and of misleading or imperfect data which sometimes entail information detrimental to health. According to our expectations, the articles written by medical experts, exhibited a statistically significant lower number of imperfect or misleading data. However, some articles that featured excellent work and could, as such, serve as a positive example of presenting medical information, are also exposed. There is a profound lack of laic articles with medical contents in printed media devoted to children and teenagers. Conclusions The research results are meant to draw the laic and expert publics’ attention to the state of presenting medical information in laic printed media. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters) | |
| Descriptors | PERIODICALS NEWSPAPERS MEDICINE IN LITERATURE QUALITY CONTROL ADVERTISING |