How to evaluate health information on the Internet
Make smart surfing a priority, especially when you're searching for information that could affect your well-being.
By Cathy Allison
There are thousands of health websites and newsgroups just a keystroke away, but the old adage "don't believe everything you read" should be applied to this new medium.
A study by the British Medical Journal evaluated health websites giving users information on how to treat a child's fever. The results show that medical professionals have reason to be concerned about the accuracy of information posted on Internet sources.
Don't be misinformed Three of the sites recommended administering Aspirin, even though it is contraindicated because of the risk of Reye's syndrome. Only four per cent of the sites in the study adhered closely to the guidelines for managing children's fevers published in a standard medical reference book.
So how do you know if the information you are reading is accurate? Here are some tips for evaluating a health-related Web site's reliability:
• Does the site list the articles, authors and their credentials? • Are the articles referenced? • Are the references or sources reliable? • Why was the information posted? Are they selling something or referring users to e-commerce sites and taking a cut of the profits? If so, there could be a bias in their reporting. • Check the date each article was first published. Is the content recent? • Has it been updated? If several links at the site no longer work, that can be a clue that the information may be outdated. • Can you find the same information elsewhere? Ideally, you should be able to find at least two other sources that give the same advice. • Be wary if you cannot easily find contact information.
Above all, remember that your doctor should be your Number 1 source of medical information. The Net can be a convenient way to find information to peruse at your own pace, but it can never replace the advice of a good physician who knows your medical history and understands your medical needs.
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