Health Disinformation Online?

" Weekends. Back to the serious now. A fight against. Misinformation. On the web. Is happening on Capitol Hill this week right yesterday and today they're holding hearings about. Some of the information that's out there that medical information that your grueling and and being and -- however you're you're searching for it. And it's coming up and it's not right -- you might not even know that it's not writing might be taking that medical -- making medical decisions based on that misinformation. Not only a bad idea but it can be -- dangerous idea joining me now. Is didn't Szczerbiak he's the vice president of innovation and new customer channels the IN CC. Welcome good to -- morning and doctor Caroline -- she's an internist and -- colleges she's also afraid of the strategy -- we've had -- morning quick before welcomes you as well when tell me about these hearings what's being said on Capitol Hill right now."

" So these these hearings -- it's the first time FDA's actually convened a diverse group to talk about. How do you social media and digital communications. And they're looking to put some guidance -- on because the evolution of social media has erupted. And there's no clear guidance from an update -- and -- thing."

" What what some of the information that's wrong that there I mean. When -- Google are big or whatever comes up and if -- whether India might not supposed to trust that won't."

" WebMD is certainly credible source but I think when you Google -- a lot of things come up. And what's happening now a lot of the online communities of beauty of social media is that dialogue aspect and that's one of the reasons why -- so interest to participate. As we can listen what people want to hear that look for the information but you don't always know what that sources and the --"

" Right you know what you have a good point can sometimes -- was all. I'll read -- the experts say and then I'll read all the stuff that people right underneath and it might be a mom who says something and it has more credibility have you know the doctor but what you're saying is. I don't where she got that information from what are your thoughts on the doctor from well I think the -- can."

" He very powerful tool and also very frightening -- a majority of my patients look at the web and comments sometimes tell me what they think their diagnosis me. And often they're incredibly wrong that sometimes they have something actually profound to -- so. It can really be a powerful tool but it can also be frightening to a lot and I think. They key -- in terms of involving the the pharmaceutical industry is is clarity and transparency so few are those online supports can who're you talking to. Who is who is sharing information with you. Either people from companies on these sites I think those -- why should be understood and five."

" That's an interesting thing you might search for something it comes up that there might be a motive for the type of information you're getting based on the pharmaceutical company that's. That's kind of weigh in on that cat that you don't know that there are -- this is a motive it just depends if it's a good motive or bad -- that the good morning."

" There's an opportunity because I think if you are transparent. And you you're there when people want you there and have a question for that they want to answer. It gives you a chance establish a credible president so that's one of the reasons that -- goodness we're so excited about. Engaging this maintenance -- to kind of showed the right way."

" An -- Sanofi-Aventis. Is one of the the companies represented the pharmaceutical companies represented and having this conversation."

" Who exactly Capitol Hill --"

" So there's a panel of about thirteen folks from FDA. From the marketing and advertising communications. Then there is. More people -- can fit into the session in terms of popularity so a lot of people coming in. The fall this and -- because of the nature of it what do you want to see at the end of the day happen with the goal. Personally I'd like C two things I think number one I'd like to see that input from all the diverse parties they have a lot of different people coming forward to give opinions doctor -- doctor communication agencies pharmaceutical reporters that room yet -- in that room absolutely so we can -- medical blocker. Iraq. Monica and I hope that there is their patients and that patients because there last night and so -- candidate you think you wanna say. I want to see only here the opinions from -- but I wanna see a recognition of social media as a valuable -- from a public health perspective. And one that we can drive the right way from a public safety point and you get some good things done for -- good examples -- 58 and encourage -- I think that's --"

" So what -- we think it's different than what we see right now also say I put and the word com. I don't know allergy line -- and you -- it comes something what do you want us to see that that maybe we're not seeing right now we."

" Google search for that show what you see today is kind of -- one way it's something you read from a manufacturer but the beauty of social media is the dialogue aspect. So what I'd like to see you there may be some basis for your question if I could better understand that and listen to what your real question is. I can give you much better for me -- you actually chat room to pop up when I search that. To about expulsion of about -- and."

" And that is snow and that is -- a huge part of the way have been patients find great support -- online community groups and things like that. But I'd like to see also his -- Information about the source of data whenever patients are creating a what you do when you're reading about allergy. Where did that -- TI now Bernard at those numbers come from them and I think it's it's tough to put the -- only on the patient surfing the web I think that -- to be on people presenting information on the moment."

" Shift gears now a little bit and and talk about something that I have noticed just recently you know even talking about health care reform in the cost of things. And -- you were mentioning that that people sometimes do research online and -- how many you're awesome thing I think I haven't. I realize that you can't have that's. -- that's for -- but I I you find that. My friends will say you know I think I have such and such and I thought commercial last night I'm gonna go -- and asked my doctor about this and they're gonna -- health insurance business. To be able askew. And the doctor's office you need this drugs I mean pharmaceutical companies are bidding it that way what you --"

" I think it's -- tricky gray area should patients be informs they have access to. The latest news about the newest drugs -- medications for their disease yes. I think it is important though actually the next step that that person -- is to talk with their doctor. That actually is the appropriate that if you hear -- from an advertisement or from your next door neighbor or your mother. Talk with your doctor next and see if there really is what you need to."

" Do you find that it's driving up those numbers and document that the of people coming in in fact at sun and fun to be. I mean that's part of your health insurance that your manager spinning to go and announced the doctor about a commercial -- Well you know we have to keep up with the times to Letterman conditions are emailing me questions a -- only happens so you build on them. Is that I have -- about Nokia we do not but. You mean you're not -- my doctor recently gave me that they now and I was like -- I mean now. No work now three and -- sprint charges. From your doctor like that so I'm now it's really encroaching. -- I'm kind of the relationship that doctors and patients potentially can have. That's gotta be fairly positive I would think."

" I think it can be again -- it's the number one source of information people go to both doctors and and patience and I think. If you can create those good examples of really listen actively provide relevant information. That's transparent. They can really be of benefit and it can help clarify better spending the time of that office visit of that insurance dollars -- something that's important to the doctor."

" I'm getting some just have my check up at the VA and my doctor said the only two sites he recommends -- web MD a Mayo clinic and an Amarillo Texas you're nodding your head."

" Why I think they're very well established very credible sites because you know the source of the information in over the content coming from them. Again the beauty the -- say the FDA with social media is I may read something on WebMD but I -- me. Wanna talk to somebody about what I just read in this gives you an opportunity to have that dialogue. And and listen -- to hear what the real question."

" And some things about it are a little concerning to me I'm concerned to see how. -- using FaceBook and Twitter those type of things seem much like greeting him Twitter is that. You have let you enjoy your characters -- don't know and don't know that's an excellent point. That those said that those concerned even -- I don't know that will really be able to have clear regulations on them. You think about that is addressing this now its its kind of late and the Intel changed you know the way we access information already have been you to change now."

" you bring up an excellent point and on Twitter you know it's -- back and forth that but I've got. You know an opportunity when news breaks to reach out to people when they reach back. I can't just take what they say is gospel sometimes that creates more work for me because it means little Sousa says that's what if there right now I -- and that -- Right but I can't just take that a 140 characters I'm never gonna get the source material that there you know like Al Harris by the way my sources that -- and you don't -- a good -- look -- about feel like fifteen to April. You know anything I clean I that the dry cleaner. It -- you bring up and we'll point and -- our habits. Communicating with each other now have changed so dramatically and so quickly that you think the FDA the little late in the game."

" I think they're playing catch up a little bit and will continue to change as new regulations come in -- as they attempt to regulated. Think we'll be onto the next wave of media that they need to address."

" I love I just fact that you are a young doctor do you get all of the interactive media are you finding and I want to pick on that the doctors -- over sixty. But -- you find. Shouldn't you had our that it might you consider you know -- the I ten and I guess about doing -- seeing some -- little long -- little bit older. Do you feel -- there is an information gap between you and and the older generation of doctors. Certainly not and it it varies from position a position. There -- some types -- less comfortable with I mean I -- some limitations we text back and forth and it's a yeah. I'll probably not doesn't catch up. But doctor. Yeah and have been yeah well I don't think there again and that leaders Twitter president. Nothing that would make sense if you don't really learning about that -- me. Google Earth tweak it you can't really -- text message I get a whole page on my Blackberry. Thirty of course -- you know these don't replace. Speaking things -- them in his age and by any. By any -- may mean that people get. Not care but questions answered where they would just go online and in getting this information without the guidance. The -- wrapping up today."

" The wrapping up today in the decision making that we ought to see come out as well there's there's also public comment period that goes through the end of February OK so. They'll be the public hearings today public comment and then we really don't know it depends on the volume of the comments of the FDA gets they've had a lot of people a lot of interest so it's."

" Standing room remotely with -- perfect take some time did a survey after vice president of innovation and new customer -- thank you for joining -- doctor Caroline Cromwell and internists and you ecologists and all -- they hit the doctor I know who has they're thank you both for joining us we're gonna take a quick commercial break."