Do Medical Students Assess the Credibility of Online or Downloadable Medical Reference Resources?

This study was designed to elucidate how medical students assess the credibility of online resources and downloadable applications as well as describing trends in resource usage. Methods: 72 students participated in the study and completed an equestionnaire. This was based on a framework by Kapoun which summarises steps that users of online resources should take to ensure credibility using key domains; accuracy, authority, objectivity (where the reader questions the provenance of the material), currency and coverage (questioning appearance, reliability and accessibility of a document). Results: There were variations in the reported use of parameters of credibility with objectivity and currency being the most used widely used credibility measures. The study group were significantly influenced by the cost of resources using free resources if possible. Responses revealed that most of the study group were using open-access sites over commercially-based peer review resources. Conclusion: The widespread availability of mtechnology has increased the accessibility of online medical resources. Medical schools should review what information is provided to students and consider equipping students with the skills to successfully evaluate resource credibility as part of their core curricula.