How to search the web for health information

Searching for information on health has become one of the most common uses of the internet.  Dr Joe Kosterish offers some advice on how to find information that is both credible and reliable in an article published by Better Health, Credible Content – Surfing the Net on Health.  Click here to view the entire article.

In todays age of technology, people have replaced encyclopedias and family health manuals with internet resources.  A visit to the doctor often involves patients becoming more proactively involved with regard to their health and wellbeing by searching for and printing out information from the net to discuss with their GP. Cancer, breast disease, depression, weight loss, pregnancy and sex are among the most commonly searched topics.

In order for information to be accurate and useful, people need to be able to distinguish between reputable sources and those that are misinformed or attempting to sell products. Dr Kosterish’s basic guidelines for finding credible sites include those that:

• are accredited by organisations like the Health On the Net foundation (HON)
• use reputable scientific sources and keep their information up to date
• provide information about a whole range of different conditions as opposed to one or a few
• have a large number of people that contribute to or approve the content on the site
• are not selling any particular service or product and provide clear separation of editorial and advertising content.

Dr Kosterish advises us to be wary of sites that invite self-diagnosis, particularly if the diagnosis leads to products or services available for sale from the same site and if in doubt, ask your GP. The internet should never be used as a replacement for seeing your doctor. It can however be a valuable tool that can help you to find support and more information about your diagnosis and possible treatments.