As a patient with a rare autoimmune disease, I need peer-reviewed
information, whether on-line or published journals. I can't be expected
to discriminate between what is and what is not valid research on the
basis of my own knowledge of the researchers working in a particular
field, for I do not have that knowledge. Just think of me as an ignorant
"consumer" of medical information, one of millions who seek to determine
information about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options for a
disease on which virtually nothing exists outside of medical journal
articles.
I think there's a place for non-peer reviewed on-line research results,
and a place for on-line peer-reviewed research results. I only plead
that these be clearly identified as the first or the latter so that I
don't get caught up in information which is less likely to be accurate,
namely non-peer reviewed information whether on-line or print copy.
--
Bruce Macdonald
Spring Lake, Michigan
