Wikipedia’s medical article editors: Voices from the frontlines
In the vast ocean of knowledge that is Wikipedia, there are unsung heroes writing and refining the medical articles that millions rely on for crucial health information. Wikipedia has
almost 350,000 medical articles
, which are available across Wikipedia’s hundreds of language editions, and they are accessed over 6 billion times a year. Dedicated contributors, including esteemed medical professionals like Dr. Netha Hussain, Dr. Gwinyai Masukume, Dr. Mikael Haggstrom, and Dr. James Heilman, are the backbone of Wikipedia’s comprehensive coverage of medical topics.
Dr. Netha Hussain
began her journey with Wikipedia while still a medical student. Now, after 14 years of contributions and more than 11,600 edits, Dr. Hussain’s articles, including recent ones like
Cerebroplacental ratio
and
acorn cyst sign
, often focus on women’s health. Her motivation stems from the belief that “it’s important to offer free, reliable, and updated information related to women’s health in multiple languages. In that way, it would be possible to dispel misinformation and bring more awareness related to women’s health on the internet.”
“
I
t’s important to offer free, reliable, and updated information related to women’s health in multiple languages
.
“
Dr. Mikael Haggstrom
, a resident physician in pathology who has made more than 50,000 edits on Wikipedia’s English-language edition over more than 18 years, emphasizes how Wikipedia became an indispensable resource during his medical studies. His extensive contributions, notably to articles like “
Reference ranges for blood tests
,” have made a profound impact with thousands of pageviews a month. He shares, “I needed to look things up, (and) I soon discovered that Wikipedia was generally the site that gave me the fastest answer. Whenever the answer wasn’t there, I knew that if I added that information, it would be there the next time I needed to look it up. Thus, Wikipedia basically became my notebook throughout my studies, and the notes are not just easily accessible, but also reviewed and updated by others over time.”
“
Wikipedia basically became my notebook throughout my studies, and the notes are not just easily accessible, but also reviewed and updated by others over time.
“
Dr. James Heilman
, a former trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation, highlights the global reach and influence of Wikipedia’s medical content. Dr. Heilman is an active member of
WikiProject Medicine
, a group of global medical experts who ensure that Wikipedia’s medical articles remain accurate and accessible across languages. In a paper that Dr. Heilman
co-wrote and published
in the March 2015 edition of the
Journal of Medical Internet Research
, he noted that, “Third-party analytics suggests Wikipedia is the most viewed medical resource globally.”
Dr. Gwinyai Masukume
is a medical doctor and public health researcher originally from Zimbabwe who now lives in Ireland. He works at a university and has contributed to Wikipedia’s medical articles for 20 years. “What motivates me,” says Dr. Masukume, “is just the sense of giving back. I’ve benefited from Wikipedia when I’ve looked up general information and even medical information.”
The impact of these volunteers’ efforts is highlighted in times of crisis. During critical health emergencies, Wikipedia’s medical articles became important for communities, supplementing the offerings from official health organizations. For example, during the
Ebola
crisis in 2014, Wikipedia’s Ebola articles were widely read in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea ? three countries at the epicenter of the crisis. For many readers, Wikipedia provides easy access to information, local expertise, timely updates, and content in local languages to overcome language barriers.
Moreover, Wikipedia’s medical information has impacted individuals facing personal health challenges. “The world uses Wikipedia for health information,”
says Amin Azzam
, Health Sciences Clinical Professor at the UCSF School of Medicine and also Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health. Dr. Azzam, who created the world’s first elective course for medical students to receive academic credit for improving health-related information on Wikipedia, says that people frequently use Wikipedia’s medical articles after receiving a medical diagnosis.
This point is illustrated in the many heartfelt messages of gratitude from readers worldwide. A reader with Crohn’s disease wrote, “Ever since my diagnosis, I’ve been able to use Wikipedia to not only learn more about my condition but to constantly expand my knowledge of the world around me. Wikipedia is one of the few things that taught me the true meaning behind the phrase ‘Knowledge is Power’.”
“
Wikipedia is one of the few things that taught me the true meaning behind the phrase ‘Knowledge is Power’
“
An Argentinian reader expressed, “I am a person with terminal cancer, and you accompany me each and every day when I look things up.” This sentiment shows Wikipedia’s role as a trusted companion in navigating complex medical information.
Volunteers like Dr. Hussain, Dr. Masukume, Dr. Haggstrom, and Dr. Heilman play an invaluable role in shaping a healthier, more informed world through the power of shared knowledge. Wikipedia’s medical editors are not just contributors; they are champions of accessible, reliable health information for all.