Corrections Policy

Editorial Accountability • Transparency & Revision Standards

At Empower Health Group, we are committed to absolute accuracy and scientific integrity. When an error occurs—whether a minor typographical slip or a substantive clinical clarification—we correct it promptly, transparently, and visibly. We do not quietly overwrite mistakes.

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1. Our Commitment to Accuracy & Reader Trust

Health literacy relies on uncompromised trust. Because our articles guide Australians in making decisions regarding nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and preventive care, even minor inaccuracies can create confusion.

Our corrections protocol operates on three fundamental principles:

• Prompt Action: Investigating reported errors within 24 to 48 business hours.
• Full Transparency: Clearly detailing what was changed and why, rather than silently modifying text.
• Clinical Oversight: Involving registered medical reviewers (Authors & Reviewers) whenever clinical claims are contested.

2. Classification of Editorial Changes

We distinguish between different degrees of updates to provide proportionate editorial documentation:

A. Substantive Clinical Corrections

A substantive correction involves an error of fact that could alter a reader’s understanding of a health condition, medication, dosage, screening schedule, or nutritional threshold.

• Protocol: The text is corrected immediately. A prominent “Correction Notice” box is appended to the article stating the exact error, the date corrected, and the updated evidence.

B. Clarifications & Contextual Updates

A clarification occurs when the published text is technically accurate but could be misinterpreted, lacks critical nuance, or requires an updated citation following a newly released national health guideline.

• Protocol: The language is refined to eliminate ambiguity, and a “Clarification Note” is placed at the foot of the piece.

C. Minor Typographical & Technical Edits

Minor corrections include grammatical adjustments, spelling fixes, updating broken external links, or minor styling tweaks that do not alter the medical meaning or factual substance of the article.

• Protocol: These modifications are executed directly without a public editor’s note, although internal version histories are maintained.

3. The 3-Step Corrections Workflow

Every correction request submitted by readers, clinical professionals, or our internal team moves through a formal triage process:

Step 1: Receipt & Triage

The editorial desk acknowledges receipt of the reported error within 1 to 2 business days. The report is logged in our central quality register.

Step 2: Fact-Check & Clinical Re-Evaluation

The original author and a qualified member of our Medical Review Board cross-examine the contested statement against primary medical literature (PubMed, NHMRC, Cochrane, TGA). If the claim is found inaccurate or outdated, a revised text is drafted.

Step 3: Publication & Change Logging

The update is pushed live immediately. The “Last Updated” date stamp is updated, and an explanatory footnote is embedded into the article body.

4. Retractions & Article Deprecations

If a published article is determined to have fundamentally flawed conclusions, relies on retracted clinical trials, or cannot be salvaged through standard revisions, Empower Health Group will formally retract the piece.

In the rare event of a retraction:

• The original URL is maintained to avoid broken links and “stealth deletions.”
• A prominent Retraction Notice is published at the top of the URL explaining precisely why the content was withdrawn.
• Readers are redirected to updated, valid resources covering the topic.

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5. How to Report an Error or Submit a Correction

We actively encourage readers, clinicians, and researchers to inform us if they detect an inaccuracy or an outdated medical reference.

To submit a correction, please provide the following details:

• Article URL: The specific webpage link where the error appears.
• The Specific Passage: The exact sentence or claim you believe is incorrect.
• The Proposed Correction: The accurate data, terminology, or fact.
• Supporting Evidence: A link to a credible primary clinical source (e.g., peer-reviewed study, NHMRC, RACGP, AIHW guideline).

6. Related Editorial Governance Policies

Our corrections protocol operates in direct synergy with our overarching governance frameworks:

• Editorial Policy & Standards: Our core standards for evidence sourcing and commercial independence.
• Medical Review & Fact-Checking Policy: How credentialed clinical reviewers evaluate content prior to publication.
• Medical Disclaimer: Understanding the educational boundaries of our published content.