Reliability of the Internet as a source of information in opinions of university students in Lublin
Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2015, Vol 21, Issue 4
Abstract
[b]Introduction.[/b] The rapid development of the Internet, as well as the possibility to include in it any contents, results in a constant increase in information. This is related with difficulty with finding reliable and tried contents. Therefore, it is important to possess the skills of filtration and verification of the information sought, especially in the domain of medicine. It is noteworthy that although Polish society increasingly more frequently searches for health information on websites, the reliability of medical professions does not decrease. [b]Objective[/b]. The objective of the study is evaluation of the reliability of the Internet as a source of information concerning complaints and methods of treatment based on practical use of this information by the students’ community in Lublin. [b]Material and method.[/b] A survey was conducted in May 2012 among students of Lublin universities: Medical University, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, University of Natural Sciences, and Lublin University of Technology. An anonymous questionnaire contained 15 items, including one open question. [b]Results. [/b]According to the students, the most reliable source of information concerning disorders and methods of their treatment is a physician or a pharmacist; however, in the situation of the occurrence of pathological symptoms, a considerable percentage of respondents (73.8%) first use the Internet and not medical advice. [b]Conclusions. [/b]Despite the fact that students critically approach information on the Internet concerning the state of health, they are not aware that the information obtained cannot replace medical advice. In addition, students have no skills in selecting the medial contents on websites, and their verification.[b]Key words[/b]: Internet, health, reliability of information
Authors and Affiliations
Damian Marek Szymczyk, Monika Grela, Andrzej Horoch, Agata Smoleń
Keywords
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- EP ID EP79508
- DOI 10.5604/20834543.1186917
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