Health Information
Health Information
1.
Introduction:
The number of Web sites offering health information is
huge. Some provide valuable data, while others may have health
information that is unreliable or misleading. This guide contains
important questions you should consider as you look for health
information online, to help you evaluate the health
information you find. 
2. Who runs the site?
A good health information site will make it easy for
you to learn who is responsible for the site.
3. Who pays for the site?
A Web site's funding source should be readily apparent. Does it
sell advertising? Is it
sponsored by a drug company? The source of funding can
affect what content is presented, how the content
is presented, and what the site owners want to accomplish on the
site.
4. What is the purpose of the site?
An "About Us" link appears on many
sites; if it's there, use it. The purpose of the site should be
clearly stated and should help you evaluate the trustworthiness of
the site's health information.
5. Where does the information come
from?
Many sites post information collected from other Web sites or
sources. If the person or organization in charge of the site did
not create the information, the original source should be
clearly labeled.
6. What is the basis of the information?
In addition to identifying who wrote the material you are
reading, the site should describe the evidence that the material is
based on. Medical facts and figures should have references (such as
to articles in medical journals). Also, opinions or advice should
be clearly set apart from information that is "evidence-based"
(that is, based on research results).
7. How is the information selected?
Is there an editorial board? Do people with excellent
professional and scientific qualifications review the material
before it is posted?
8. How current is the
information?
Web sites should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. It
is particularly important that medical information be current. The
most recent update or review date should be clearly posted.
9. How does the site link to other sites?
Web sites usually have a policy about how they establish links
to other sites. Some medical sites take a conservative approach and
don't link to any other sites. Some link to any site that asks, or
pays, for a link. Others only link to sites that have met certain
criteria.
10. What information about you does the site
collect, and why?
Web sites routinely track visitors through their sites to
determine what pages are being used. However, many health Web sites
ask you to "subscribe." In some cases, this may be so that they can
collect a user fee or select information for you that is relevant
to your privacy
concerns. In all cases, this will give the site personal
information about you.
11. How does the site manage interactions with
visitors?
There should always be a way for you to contact the site owner. If the site hosts chat
rooms or other online discussion areas, it should tell visitors
what the terms of using this service are. Is it moderated? If so,
by whom, and why? it is always a good idea to spend time reading
the discussion without joining in, so that you feel comfortable
with the environment before becoming a participant.
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