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It's fast and convenient to access health-related information over the Internet. Indeed, many people go on-line to seek answers to their health questions. An abundance of on-line information can be obtained through disease associations, health care practitioners, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and industries that sell health care products. Anyone can post a Web site on the Internet. With such vast information at our fingertips, it's difficult to know what's credible and what's not. One way of sorting through the confusion is to follow these principles when judging the trustworthiness of health articles found on-line:
Understand the purpose of the article. The ability to recognize the intent behind an article is the critical first step in being a wise on-line consumer. In general, health-related articles found on the Internet are meant to do one of three things - to inform, to persuade, or to sell. The most reliable information is found on Web sites whose purpose is to educate and to inform. Organizations that serve the public interest, such as medical institutions, disease associations, universities and branches of federal government, back their information with scientific fact and are considered to be the most objective and balanced source of information on health care. It is the best place to begin a search on a health-related topic. Although many Web pages hosted by medical institutions and universities are far too academic for the general public to understand, several of the nation's top medical schools and clinics host Web sites on health that are specifically designed for use by the public. Web-site domains that end with "edu" or "gov" is one way of verifying that the source is a university or government agency, and many health associations carry the ".org " domain.
Articles intended to persuade often take a position on an issue and are designed to influence the reader's viewpoint. Individuals and advocacy groups frequently use a Web site to advance a belief or to promote alternative perspectives, treatments or practices not generally known to the public. Although several of these Web sites provide useful information backed by legitimate research, be wary of sites that base their claims solely on testimonials or opinion. Testimonials may indeed be moving and have some basis in fact. Without scientific evidence however, there's no way to know that if what people assert can be repeated in different settings and circumstances. Before reaching any conclusions, remember that the purpose is to influence, not necessarily to represent a balanced point of view.
Much on-line information is simply advertising for health care products or drugs. Pharmaceutical companies and industries in the business of selling vitamins, minerals, supplements, alternate health products and treatments have all taken to the Internet to sell their products. Many Web sites whose intent is to sell are fairly straightforward and can be easily identified. Use discretion when viewing sites that disguise their advertisement as a journal article. The content of the article usually highlights a disease or disorder and the product isn't mentioned until further down the page. These Web sites often list references to professional journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and other prestigious publications. In truth, their information does not come from these sources. Upon close inspection, the advertising disclaimer will be somewhere in the margins of the Web page - in very fine print.
Pharmaceutical companies usually conduct their own research and use their findings to promote their drug or product-line. While this research is considered to be reliable, its purpose is not to provide a well-rounded health perspective on a particular disease or disorder. It remains controversial whether advertising in this manner actually helps or hurts consumers. One advantage is that it puts first-hand knowledge on drugs into the hands of consumers directly. On the other hand, consumers who are influenced by these ads in turn pressure doctors to prescribe the medication. Brand-name drugs are more costly, whereas less expensive, generic versions often are equally effective. It is always a good idea to get a health practitioner's viewpoint on any drug advertised on-line or in a magazine.
Look for the author's name and credentials: Dependable Web sites list the author's name and credentials at the end of the Web page. Academic credentials should fit the content and information contained in the article and the author should be accessible for questions if no e-mail address is given.
Note article updates: Current dates indicate that updates have been made as new information is obtained.
Finally, consider that there is such a thing as too much information. Tell tale signs are bewilderment over the amount and type of information, anxiety brought on by self-diagnosis, and frustration due to contradictory information. The old adage, "the more one learns the less one knows" aptly describes the realization of the chronic Web surfer. That's why learning to recognize the intent of an article is an important element in finding good information on line.
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