Evaluating evidence found on the Internet

AORN Journal, Nov, 2000 by Suzanne C. Beyea

This information is copyrighted by the British Library and the University of Oxford. Organizations are authorized to reproduce this instrument provided it is used in accordance with the instructions contained at www.discern.org.uk/discern _instrument.htm and that they complete an evaluation form provided on the web site.

The Discern Instrument consists of 16 questions, including one that assesses the overall quality of the publication. Fifteen questions reflect a specific quality criterion or an essential feature or standard. Questions are organized in three sections and address the publication's reliability, relevance, description of treatment, description of treatment benefits and risks, description of treatment's effect on overall quality of life, and the overall rating. For each question, the instrument provides hints to help explain terms or to offer suggestions to assist with evaluating the publication. Users must rate each question on a five-point scale ranging from one (ie, no) to five (ie, yes), and they are provided resources for additional guidance throughout the instrument.

Becoming familiar with such resources as the Discern Instrument, can help any clinician or consumer. It provides a helpful framework to involve patients in shared decision-making about treatment choices and helps them become sophisticated consumers of health care information. Although there are many other resources for evaluating Internet health information, the Discern Instrument provides an easy-to-follow, user-friendly format.

Nurses should practice using the Discern Instrument by evaluating an Internet health information site. When you have a question about a health problem and search the Internet, use the Discern Instrument as you evaluate sites. Share this information with your patients, family members, and colleagues. The amount of information available on the Internet will only increase in scope and quantity. Be a savvy consumer--learn how to effectively evaluate sites and provide your patients with resources and strategies to do the same.

SUZANNE C. BEYEA RN, PHD, CS AORN DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH

NOTES

(1.) A McKibbon, PDQ: Evidence-Based Principles and Practice (Hamilton, Ontario: B. C. Decker, Inc, 1999) 7-12.

(2.) S C Beyea, "Preventing surgical site infections--Guiding practice with evidence," (Research Comer) AORN Journal 72 (August 2000) 305-307.

(3.) L H Nicoll, S C Beyea, "Working with staff around evidence-based practice: The next generation of research utilization," Seminars in Perioperative Nursing 9 (July 2000) 133-142.

(4.) W M Silberg, G D Lundberg, R A Musacchio, "Assessing, controlling, and assuring the quality of medical information on the Internet: Caveant lector et viewor--Let the reader and viewer beware," JAMA 277 (April 16, 1997) 1244-1245.

RESOURCES

"Criteria for evaluation of Internet information resources." Available from http://www.vuw.ac.nz /~agsmith/evaln/index.htm. Accessed 12 Sept 2000.

"Critical evaluation of resources." Available from http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides /Evaluation.html. Accessed 12 Sept 2000.