How we ensure trustworthiness and reliability

The ethical and trustworthy standards adhered to by CareSearch have been recognised through the selection as a Healthdirect Information partner providing recognition of the quality of CareSearch information and resources.

Materials included within the CareSearch website are subject to various review processes for quality and relevance. Evidence and quality principles have also been used in the design and development of the website itself.

Regardless of the format of any given page, the quality processes ensure that all content is:

  • Relevant to the project
  • Written by an appropriately qualified and experienced person
  • Of suitable quality.

Webpages in the Clinical Practice section provide an overview of the state of the evidence following an examination of systematic reviews relevant to the topic. From this basis, the key issues, limitations and contexts for practice are summarised. The systematic reviews were identified following a search of multiple literature databases.

Download CareSearch Quality Processes (619kb pdf)

Download Quality Processes

Authors of all CareSearch pages follow specific guidance with regard to:

  • A consistent writing and referencing style
  • Readability
  • Plagiarism
  • Co-authors or contributors such as the writing support group members
  • Whether there has been consumer consultation.

Opposing views or areas of disagreement arising from the evidence are noted.

Content pages are provided to project staff or associates and community members for comment in the development stage before being formally assessed by an external reviewer. This engagement helps us develop strong and useful resources.

Those providing internal feedback include health professionals, consumers or representatives from the National Advisory Group, depending on the specific content. Some of the contributions to this work come from allied medical areas such as oncology or geriatrics. Other knowledge is contributed by disciplines such as psychology, social work and occupational therapy. External reviewers are invited clinicians, academics, researchers or members of state and national peak bodies with knowledge and expertise in the relevant area. The core writing team comprised a palliative physician, oncology / palliative care nurse, medical librarian, researchers and social worker.

There is a mechanism for monitoring new literature and pages, which are updated on an ongoing basis. A formal review of content pages is carried out every two-four years depending on the type of content page. The date of the last update is noted on the bottom of the page.

We do not accept paid advertising. Promotional materials relate to the CareSearch project, resources developed as part of the CareSearch project, or projects in which CareSearch is a project partner.

Last updated 28 October 2022