[How evidence-based are print- and online mass media in Austria? A quantitative analysis].
We rated the body of evidence for 219 health-related questions that had been covered by 990 media articles in Austrian print and online media. In 59.5 % of these articles, the evidence for medical facts is reported in a highly distorted (exaggerated or understated) manner; only 10.8 % adequately reflect the actual strength of evidence. While 61.3% of the articles imply that the reported effects are based on the highest level of evidence, it really only applies to 2.6% of the articles. Compared to quality media, tabloid media report in a more distorted way. However, this is mainly due to a different subject coverage, since the degree of distorted reporting does not significantly differ for subjects covered by both tabloid and quality media. Online media do not report in a more distorted way than print media, with the exception of the newspaper "Der Standard". A clear difference can be seen in the reporting on different subjects. Articles on medications regulated by governmental authorities or interventions which only physicians are allowed to perform were significantly less distorted than articles on nutritional supplements or interventions that may be provided by non-physician staff. Reports on cosmetic or weight loss interventions were most distorted.
Department für Evidenzbasierte Medizin und Klinische Epidemiologie, Donau-Universität Krems, Österreich. Electronic address: bernd.kerschner@donau-uni.ac.at.
Bernd
B
Kerschner
Department für Evidenzbasierte Medizin und Klinische Epidemiologie, Donau-Universität Krems, Österreich.
Jörg
J
Wipplinger
Department für Evidenzbasierte Medizin und Klinische Epidemiologie, Donau-Universität Krems, Österreich.
Irma
I
Klerings
Department für Evidenzbasierte Medizin und Klinische Epidemiologie, Donau-Universität Krems, Österreich.
Gerald
G
Gartlehner
D001317:Austria; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D009862:Online Systems
Austria; Evidenz-basierte Medizin; Gesundheitsjournalismus; Health journalism; Massenmedien; Medizinjournalismus; Online-Medien; Tageszeitungen; evidence-based medicine; mass media; medical journalism; newspapers; online media; Österreich