(2002;113(9):763-765 )

INFODEMIOLOGY: THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF (MIS)INFORMATION

Eysenbach G

Much of the health information on the Internet has been described as being discordant with information from evidence-based sources. A new research discipline and methodology has emergedóthe study of the determinants and distribution of health information and misinformationówhich may be useful in guiding health professionals and patients to quality health information on the Internet. Information epidemiology, or infodemiology, identifies areas where there is a knowledge translation gap between best evidence (what some experts know) and practice (what most people do or believe), as well as markers for ìhigh-qualityî information.

(Last update: 2002-12-15)