Pharma Industry News Update: 23 June 2017
Credibility & Trust of Web-Based Health Information
[From www.jmir.org] Internet sources are becoming increasingly important in seeking health information, such that they may have a significant effect on health care decisions and outcomes. Hence, given the wide range of different sources of Web-based health information (WHI) from different organizations and individuals, it is important to understand how information seekers evaluate and select the sources that they use, and more specifically, how they assess their credibility and trustworthiness.
The aim of this study was to review empirical studies on trust and credibility in the use of WHI.
Pharma Guy’s insight:
Sorry to see that the eHealth Code of Ethics, which I helped create back in 2000, is not included in the list of references although it was published in the same journal as this study (here). According to the Code, individuals need to be able to judge for themselves the quality of the health information they find on the Internet. Sites should disclose what sources the site or content provider has used, with references or links to those sources.
Further Reading:
- eHealth Code of Ethics
- Ethical Issues for Internet Healthcare
- Ethics Survey of Consumer Attitudes about Health Web Sites
- #mHealthEthics: A Call for Pharma to Develop Mobile Health “Guiding Principles”
The Forgotten eHealth Code of Ethics Any research or effort designed to improve the quality of health information on the Internet must build upon the work already done by the creators of the international eHealth Code of Ethics, which is as relevant today as it was back in 2000.
Pharma Blogs Are a Thing of the Past
“Speaking of Sanofi” Blog Latest to Shut Down
[From www.pmlive.com] After nearly five years, and more than 300 posts, Sanofi is set to close the doors on new content for its corporate blog.
In its place the French pharma company will direct visitors to a new Our Stories section on its US website as it follows an industry-wide trend to move away from stand-alone blogs.
In the last couple of years a number of prominent blogs from pharma firms have either ceased publishing new content or disappeared from the web altogether.
Pharma Guy’s insight:
“Dear friends, employees, and pharma aficionados…” That’s how Stacy Burch, Director, Corporate Reputation and Digital Communications, at Sanofi US, began the first post to “Speaking of Sanofi back” in 2012 when I wrote about it here.
Further Reading:
- Blogs and the Pharmaceutical Industry: Like Oil and Water?
- How Readable, Credible & Useful are Pharma Blogs? Survey Results
- A Primer on Pharma Employee Blogging
Journalists’ Views of Pharma PR
[From news.isebox.net] Healthcare communications is “on life support”, with almost nine in 10 journalists unhappy with the information they receive.
New research reveals a huge gulf between the information provided by drug companies and what journalists actually need to create their content.
Some findings:
- 85% of health journalists not satisfied with Pharma & Healthcare Comms
- Only 2% find pharmaceutical and healthcare information trustworthy
- 36% feel government agencies acting on behalf of consumer best interest
Pharma Guy’s insight:
But they often reprint what’s in press releases verbatim. Just sayin’
Further Reading:
