Americans are taking advantage of the Internet to access
health information. Although the Internet offers a lot of
valuable information, it is very important to find reliable
Web sites. To make sure you find accurate health information
from dependable sources, consider the following questions
to evaluate each Web site:
Who is responsible for the Web site? Dependable
Web sites clearly state the name of a well-respected group.
Professional organizations (.org), government agencies (.gov),
or educational institutions (.edu) are the best sources of
information.
Who can you contact for more information? Contact
information should be displayed on the site. Do not hesitate
to contact the authors about their qualifications or site
content. The link to contact information is generally labeled “Contact
Us.”
What is the purpose of the Web site? The
purpose of the site and organization should be clearly stated.
Credible health sites will provide factual information supported
by medical research. Avoid sites that contain opinions or
biases. For example, be cautious if a site recommends a specific
drug treatment or tries to sell you certain products.
What audience is the Web site intended for? Determine
if the site is written for the general public or health professionals.
For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Web site targets the general public with easy-to-understand
content and useful graphics. On the other hand, sites for
health professionals usually contain detailed medical research
and language that can be difficult to understand.
How often is the site updated or reviewed? Health
information is constantly changing so it is important to
find the most up-to-date information available. The date
that the article was written or last reviewed for accuracy
will appear at the top or bottom of the Web page. For the
most current health information, look for sites that are
updated monthly. Avoid sites that contain numerous broken
links or dead ends. This is a sign of a poorly maintained
site and may indicate the presence of out-dated information.
Does the site subscribe to HONcode? The
HONcode defines a set of rules designed to ensure responsible
self-regulation and to make sure a reader always knows the
source and the purpose of the information he or she is reading.
The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation subscribes to
the HONcode guiding principles. Visit us at www.mplsheartfoundation.org.
Read more about the HONcode at www.hon.ch/home.html .
Other suggestions to keep in mind when searching for health
information on the Internet:
> Compare several sources for information on specific health
topics.
> Avoid Web sites that contain unrealistic health claims.
> Review the information with a health professional and ask
for their recommendations and opinions.
> Look for links to other useful Web sites. A good Web site
does not claim to have all the information on a particular
topic.
> For more tips on avoiding false health information, visit www.quackwatch.org.
References
Medical
Library Association. A User’s Guide to Finding and
Evaluating Health Information on the Web.
MedlinePlus. MedlinePlus Guide to Healthy Web Surfing.
National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Get the
Facts: 10 Things to Know About Evaluating Medical Resources
on the Web.
National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
How to Find Medical Information.
