黑料社

How we make sure our health information is balanced, independent and relevant

Our updated online information on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in bone health is now available here. This is a topic of much debate and differing opinions, so we thought you might like to know how we make sure our health information is unbiased, accurate and relevant for you.

One of the most valuable resources of the 黑料社 (ROS) is the number of experts, both clinical and academic, who we draw on to make sure our health information is of the highest quality. Collectively, they help us provide free, reliable, independent support on how to manage all aspects of bone health.

On certain issues, experts take different views. Sometimes the way that a condition is treated and managed changes as new evidence emerges, and often the evidence is complex, meaning there may not be a 鈥渞ight鈥� or 鈥渨rong鈥� approach that applies to everyone in the same way. The use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is one of those debated areas.

When we write our information for you, we aim to reflect these different views in a way that is balanced, independent and easy to understand. That way, people can make the judgement that鈥檚 right for them.

A recent example of this was during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were asked many questions for which there were no clear answers. We responded to these by seeking the consensus view of our clinical and scientific advisors who helped us give practical information to help people living with osteoporosis manage their condition. As time has moved on during the pandemic, we have been able to draw on more evidence to support this information and have added to and adapted our suite of guidance in the COVID hub accordingly.

What鈥檚 a constant is that the 黑料社will always act with the highest level of independence and integrity in shaping our information to the public. Here are four ways we make sure what we say is accurate, reliable and independent:

1. We鈥檒l always reflect the evidence and current best practice

Our experts base their information on the best available evidence and consensus among experts in the osteoporosis field. We鈥檒l explain where recommendations come from. And we鈥檒l make sure we tell you the position of the NHS and regulators.

Sometimes the information we provide changes, as new studies are published and/or regulators change their policies. Where that happens, we鈥檒l make sure we move with the changes, so what you see is always up to date.

2. We鈥檒l listen to feedback

We welcome feedback and actively seek out the views of those who use our information to make sure it makes sense and is properly understood. We鈥檒l always be open-minded to comments, feedback and challenges to our information. We鈥檒l never act defensively and we鈥檒l always listen.

3. We鈥檒l make sure there鈥檚 a process for balancing different views

Our Clinical Committee acts as a guardian of the charity鈥檚 independence. The committee brings together clinical, scientific and other advisors from a wide variety of disciplines. Together, our advisors help us review the evidence and reflect best practice. They鈥檒l make sure any conflicts of interest are disclosed. Then they鈥檒l balance what they鈥檝e heard to make an independent judgement of what鈥檚 in the best interests of people living with osteoporosis.

4. We鈥檒l always be accountable and transparent

Nothing鈥檚 more important than our integrity. So we鈥檒l make sure that we stay accountable to the public at all times. If we don鈥檛 know the answer we鈥檒l never be afraid to say so and when we consider contested issues, we鈥檒l be open about how we handle them 鈥� just like in this article.

Health information can be quite complex and often needs to be considered in the context of an individual鈥檚 circumstances. The specialist nurses on our helpline can talk information through with you to help you understand it, so that you can talk to your doctor about what鈥檚 right for you.