Changing Attitudes About Wikipedia as a Trusted Health Information Resource: One Librarian at a Time

Background: Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia is the most frequently visited website in the U.S. with more than 1.1 billion estimated monthly visits. Collaboratively edited, the website is known to be a popular source of health and medical information frequently used by the public, students, and professionals. However, skepticism about its value and reliability as a health information resource is common among librarians. This presentation will share the results and takeaways from an online educational course created by the Network of the National Library of Medicine designed to teach librarians about Wikipedia as a health information resource and how to contribute to the body of knowledge by becoming an editor..

Description: A free, self-paced, four-week course was developed by medical librarians and NNLM educational support staff with input from a pilot group of users. The course was designed to assist library staff to gain insight into the value of Wikipedia as a viable health information resource. Emphasis was placed on building skills and knowledge needed to evaluate articles on Wikipedia with a specific focus on health and medical topics. Students who enrolled tended to be dubious of Wikipedia overall. Participants were asked about their use and current perceptions of Wikipedia, especially as a source for health and medical information. Discussion forums, readings, and tutorials were used to assist participants in gaining insight into the value of Wikipedia. Instructions on how to improve articles by adding citations were included, therefore leveraging librarians’ research skills to make Wikipedia a better resource for all users.

Conclusion: Data points to the course being successful in introducing librarians to Wikipedia as a reputable health information resource. Since October 2020 more than 190 participants have enrolled with a completion rate of 47%. 100% of survey respondents stated they learned a new skill they will use in the future. 100% strongly or somewhat agree the training improved their ability to find useful online health information. Post-course comments include: “I now appreciate Wikipedia -based health information and feel I have the tools to contribute authoritative, reliable citations to improve articles” and “This course shifted my perspective on Wikipedia (in a positive way) giving me ideas for how to use Wikipedia to teach health information literacy and/or information literacy in general”.