#chibi-oneiros

There are three things to keep in mind when looking at a website:

Bias - How is this website generating income? Is there a conflict of interest? Check the website's “about” page to see if the website is sponsored by a company that might influence what information is displayed and from which angles. A reputable website will be very transparent about its funding, sponsorship, and credentials. It is a huge red flag if there is not an “about” page, or if the page is vague.

Authority - What is the author’s background? Do they hold degrees that are relevant to the topic? Searching their name in a search engine can be a great way to find information about people. Many professionals, for example, use LinkedIn. This website is designed to act as a resume so it often includes employment and educational history.

Research - What studies are the author referring to when they are discussing health issues? If the studies are more than 3 years old, it might already be out of date information. Are the research studies discussed published in academic journals? Typing the name of an article into a search engine can be very illuminating. Sometimes studies are misrepresented and very occasionally, do not exist at all.

These three considerations are great starting points to evaluating any website, but especially one that is medical in nature.

Websites

MedlinePlusThis website is operated by the National Institute of Health. This is a government agency that is funded entirely by tax dollars. It only shares information that has been scientifically-proven and published in a journal that put all articles through a strict evaluation process before publishing. This a great site for general health information. Articles are grouped by bodily function, disorders and conditions, diagnosis and treatment, and health concerns specific to certain populations. All of the pages are available in English and Spanish.

Office of Dietary SupplementsThis office is part of the National Institute of Health. The reason I promote this website is that it covers a topic that is not well-researched. There are very few regulations about how dietary supplements are developed, produced, and sold. Certain supplements have dangerous side effects and can be out-right poisonous. The website has fact sheets on hundreds of common supplements so will likely be useful for anyone who uses or is interested in using dietary supplements. Again, this site is available in English and Spanish.

Johns Hopkins HealthJohns Hopkins is one of the most respected medical research universities in the country. It has been conducting medical research for over 100 years and it credited with many of the medical advances that defined the 20th century. Therefore, any information on their website has been closely examined by some of the best trained professionals in the field. This website covers all of the general health information expected but also includes a section about being a caregiver for people with chronic illnesses. Unfortunately, the website is only available in English.

FURTHER READING

These resources provide more in-depth suggestions about evaluating health information found online.

How to find the Best Medical Information Online

Evaluating Health Information

Finding Reliable Health Information Online