Finding and Choosing Credible Health Information
With the vast array of news resources now at our fingertips, finding health information is easy. The tricky part is finding sources of health information that are accurate and reliable. Some health information you get from places such as the Internet, social media, TV, newspapers and the radio are trustworthy. But some, unfortunately, are not. That is why it is vital for patients to critically evaluate health information before acting on anything they discover. Remember that there is always one person you can ask to help you decide if a health information source is legitimate: your clinician.
Questions to ask before trusting an online resource
When you look online for health news, you will no doubt find websites for countless health organizations and resources. To help you determine which ones are credible, consider asking yourself the following questions:
- What is the purpose of the website? Understanding the reason a website was created can help you better judge its content. The goal of a trustworthy health information resource is to provide accurate, current and useful information. If a website is trying to sell you something or makes lofty promises, that source may not be credible. Keep an eye out for ads designed to appear as neutral health information.
- Who owns or sponsors it? Knowing who pays for a source will give you further insight into the mission of the website. For example, if a business is paying for the site, the health information on it might be written to favor that business and its products. To help you identify who owns a website, look at the site’s address, called the URL. Below is a list of different URLs and what they mean:
- .gov identifies a U.S. government agency
- .edu identifies an educational institution
- .org identifies nonprofit organizations, like medical or research societies
- .com identifies commercial websites, typically owned by businesses
- Who wrote the information? Typically, online articles and information identify the authors. If the author is listed, make sure that they are a health care professional or scientific researcher with knowledge of the topic. If the author is not an expert, check to see if the information has been reviewed by a health care professional or other credentialed specialist. Health information sources that are trustworthy will include their sources and citations.
- When was the information written and updated? Just because information is older does not mean that it is not useful. However, using the most current, evidence-based information is ideal. You don’t want to make decisions about your care based on outdated content. It is advisable to use websites that stay current with their health information.
- Does the source promise “miracle cures?” If a website offers quick and easy solutions to your health problems, you may want to consult other resources. It is wise to be cautious about sources claiming that a single remedy will be a “cure all.” Be skeptical of sources that promote unproven treatments. Patients should question sources that seem too good to be true or promise “miracle cures.”
A note on social media
Social media has become a common way that people share health information. Some of this information may be true, but oftentimes it is not. Relying on one social media post to give you the answer to a question about your health is not enough. It is important to recognize that, just because a post comes from a friend or colleague, it does not ensure that the information is accurate or applicable to your health. Just like with a website, it is important to check the source of information and make sure the author is credible. When in doubt, ask your health care provider to review the resource.
The bottom line: consult with your clinician
It is important for patients to stay informed about their health care. However, no online information should replace seeing your health care professional. They are the most qualified people to evaluate your health situation and provide specific advice. If you have questions about something you read online, ask your health care professional for their opinion. They will be able to help you vet resources and even suggest new sources that they trust. Your clinician is your most trustworthy and credible source of health information, and you should always discuss health news or other information that you find with your doctor before making any changes to your health care.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging/how-find-reliable-health-information-online
https://medlineplus.gov/evaluatinghealthinformation.html
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/evaluating-health-information
Additional Reading
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-the-most-reliable-source-of-health-information
