ENG-105 Review Mayo Clinic PDF

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Summary

The Review is essentially like a review of a move, but of a wesbite specifically. DO NOT REVIEW ADHD OR THE ORGANIZATION - REVIEW THE WEBSITE/PAGE ITSELF AND HOW WELL IT PRESENT THE INFO. This essay follows the rubric and shows what is expected....

Description

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Caitlin Ford ENG-105 11/19/19 Dr. Staples

The Mayo Clinic on ADHD: A Review When conducting research on mental health, particularly controversial issues such as Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the information a website provides can lead to drastically different results in one’s life, depending on the quality and accuracy of the information provided. The audience must consider criteria such as accuracy, objectivity and currency when evaluating the credibility of a website. Mayo Clinic is one such site, providing accurate information on ADHD such as symptoms, risk factors, coexisting conditions and other data that’s edited by legitimate medical professionals while avoiding conjecture relating to the disorder. In fact, the institution’s commitment to those they serve won them the INFORMS Prize; the award is given to an organization that has repeatedly applied the principles of analytics and operations research (OR) in pioneering, varied, novel and lasting ways (OR/MS Today, 2014). Over the years, ADHD has become a rising issue among America’s youth. Those who may be concerned they or a loved one have the disorder can look to Mayo Clinic’s site for definitive knowledge on ADHD, and trust the professionals behind it. Mayo Clinic maintains its trustworthiness by fulfilling the criteria of accuracy, objectivity and currency within its site.

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Although the individual authors of the ADHD page are not listed, the Mayo Clinic staff has gathered a qualitative amount of reputable resources to maintain accuracy within the site. A meticulous list of symptoms, risk factors, co-occurring disorders, diagnosis and treatment options are provided, and common concerns are addressed as well. However, regarding controversial disorders such as ADHD, readers have a higher standard for the validity of the information provided. According to Mayo Clinic (2019), “. . .physicians, scientists and other medical experts dedicate a portion of their clinical time to this site.” Following the quotation, a hyperlink to specialized medical experts who edit the content of the website, from the organization’s chief medical editor to an alphabetical listing of other professionals associated with Mayo Clinic. Along with a reference list citing organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, parents and other concerned parties are guaranteed that the information provided meets the criterion of accuracy. Furthermore, Mayo Clinic’s page on ADHD not only meets, but exceeds the criterion of objectivity by cohering to the topic of the disorder itself. The page is consistent in its main goal, to educate the reader on ADHD. The website includes how to distinguish typical childhood behavior from the problematic patterns that occur when the disorder is present, and what to do if one suspects they or their child have the disorder. Among many other research studies, some of the information presented was found by organizations such as the Journal of Childhood Psychology and Psychiatry. It was reported that mood, adjustment and anxiety disorders among many others were found to occur as children with ADHD became adolescents (Yoshimasu, Barbaresi, Voigt et al., 2012). The information is thorough and meticulous, and is written in plain vocabulary for ease of understanding on the reader’s part. The author overall avoids conjecture

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or controversy – however, the theory that screen time causes ADHD is briefly addressed as it is a common concern. The website goes on to state that although as a theory it is unproven, limiting screen time for children five years and younger is still advised overall (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Although the website uses a handful of ads, advertising is not their agenda. The organization is not-for-profit, and all advertising proceeds go to the funding of the institution and its research; Mayo Clinic does not appear to endorse any brands or companies. As with any mental or physical health issue, data is always evolving, and Mayo Clinic maintains their ethic of currency throughout the site. Published June 25th, 2019, the page on ADHD is relatively new. This date can be found underneath the conclusion of the text, in the bottom right hand side. Consistently updated links on the organization’s latest news regarding ADHD can also be found further down the page, below the extensive list of references the page’s contributors have produced. All links are consistently updated and repaired by the staff members responsible for technically maintaining the site, and no faulty or dead links could be found. Keeping medical information updated is crucial, and Mayo Clinic ensures that any newfound information is updated on their website as well as any medical articles published. As one of America’s leading medical institutions, Mayo Clinic sets their standards of accuracy, objectivity and currency above the average medical website. Regardless of who the reader is, the information provided in a medical website must be on an up to date, factual basis without bias. The institution ensures these qualities are upheld within the website by employing medical professionals to edit the contents of each page – particularly for controversial or lesserknown issues such as ADHD. Organization and plain writing make for ease of understanding, along with links to complicated associated issues. The effort put into the site is relentless, always evolving, and up to medical board standards. With the rise of ADHD, parents and other

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concerned readers can trust that Mayo Clinic is providing the specific knowledge they need to determine if they or their child should see a doctor for a consultation.

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References Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. (2019, June 25). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350889. Mayo Clinic earns INFORMS Prize. (2014). OR/MS Today, (3), 49. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx? direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.373680029&site=eds-live&scope=site Yoshimasu, K., Barbaresi, W. J., Colligan, R. C., Voigt, R. G., Killian, J. M., Weaver, A. L., & Katusic, S. K. (2012). Childhood ADHD is strongly associated with a broad range of psychiatric disorders during adolescence: a population-based birth cohort study. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 53(10), 1036–1043. https://doiorg.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02567.x...