The average user searching for information on the Internet is not using Boolean logic or Google advanced operators to refine their searches.
They are using natural language declamations or questions which search engines then ‘translate‘ to produce results.
However, when we ask ‘what is the best health information available on the Internet?’, we may not be posing the question we think we are.
What we are actually asking is: ‘what health information are we most likely to find on the Internet?’
This is a regrettable state of affairs, but one that needs to be acknowledged.
It is also one that needs to be rectified.
Today, I am launching the ‘I have’ project.
I’m not developing it, though.
We are.
What are the ‘I have’ project’s goals?
- To offer definitive answers to the question ‘I have [disease state]. What should I do?’
- To produce 1 page signpost summaries of the most reliable, relevant, patient-focused, outcomes-oriented, evidence-informed health information available for a wide range of diseases.
- To publish outputs compiled with SEO best practice in mind to be promoted through social networks and communities in an effective way with the intention that they should appear above the fold on the first page of Google results for the disease they address. Even the best health information is useless if it isn’t discoverable.
- To harness the expertise of healthcare professionals, patients and curators in co-creating and sharing the very best health information available for the disease states addressed by each document concerning treating and/or managing of the disease, living with the disease, and learning about the disease.
What is happening first?
- The ‘I have’ project’s proof of concept output will be I have breast cancer. This project is now live for any contributor to add to. The ‘I have’ project maintains an open editorial policy which asks that contributors add their own additions, but leave comments querying the validity, accuracy or relevance of others’ additions rather than modifying or deleting them themselves.
What will happen next?
- If the ‘I have’ project progresses beyond the proof of concept stage, clusters of publications will be released by disease classification on a monthly basis.
- New projects will be added to the ‘I have’ project publication directory and plan. This open document is now live, and ready to accept your suggestions under the ‘Proposed projects’ tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
OK, now I know what the C4C blog post this week will be about: THIS. With plenty of link love back *to* this. Terrific … and THANK YOU.
Wow! I am honoured. Thank you.
Hi Andy, I’m in if you need SEO! Great idea.
Jules
Fantastic! Let’s discuss.
great idea Andrew! have got insight into what breast disease patients are looking for on the internet by reviewing the search engine terms on my wordpress blog! surprising or not, no one uses fancy search terms, just everyday common language!! Plan to post at year endan article about the most read posts on my blog and what the most searches looked for.. will also mention your project,.. keep us posted on how it develops..
Hi Kathi
Thanks for sharing your plans – that is one blog post I *have* to read
Thanks, as always, for your interest and support.
Andrew,
Great idea…I just added some info on biomarkers to the google doc. Let me know if this is what you are looking for.
If so, I’ll do some more curation and see if I can continue to help out.
Brian
Hi Brian
That’s great! Thanks. I’ll add a footnote saying who the authors are. Really appreciate your support with this experimental venture.
I’m an RD, let me know if I can help in any way, sounds like a great idea!
-Mandy
Hi Mandy
Thanks for the message of support. Add whatever you think is worth sharing
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Genius idea Mr Spong! I will do what I can to help spread the word – you may even have inspired me to write a blog post on the topic : )
Hi Alexandra
Having the idea is one thing, turning it into something that is going to help people is another. Your support is appreciated, and I look forward to reading the blog post
Andrew, great idea! Regarding social media and other web resources, Webicina.com has been doing exactly what you described for years in 80 medical topics (including a lot of diseases). http://www.webicina.com/
Thanks, Berci. As I’ve just mentioned on Scienceroll, yes, I’ll add Webicina links to this and future entries in the ‘I have’ project series. Great idea.
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