Because of how efficient it is to use the internet, parents nowadays often turn to Google or other search engines regarding almost everything especially when it comes to their family's health. But an Australian Child Health Poll was recently conducted which showed how most of these parents still doubt the credibility of information they gathered online.
The latest poll was conducted by researchers from Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and participated by almost 2,000 Australian parents. "This study reveals a significant gap in the information sources used and those trusted by Australian parents when it comes to the health of their children," noted the study.
The results showed with all the participants about 61 percent or 1,220 of them were using the internet as a basis for their family's health inquiries, as reported by the Herald Sun. Among those who were using the Internet, only six percent of them totally trust the information they have gathered, while 30 percent didn't trust the information at all.
"This means that in seeking to better inform themselves about their kids' health," said Dr. Anthea Rhodes, lead author of the study. "Parents may be consuming so much information that, ultimately, they become more worried and confused."
Dr. Rhodes suggests half of the parents who were surveyed still feel more secured when the information they gathered were from their specialists, as posted by ABC. "People going online and getting information but not being reassured by it. It is perhaps driving some concern and worry for parents," she said.
Identifying the reason why parents don't trust most of the online sources and finding a way on how to fix the issue are the most important steps in developing the healthcare sector. "The onus now is on government and policy makers to direct their efforts to making high quality and trustworthy information available through the sources where parents go," Dr. Rhodes added.
