Where can someone go to verify the accuracy of health information received in unsolicited e-mails?
Any e-mail messages should be carefully evaluated. The origin of the message and its purpose should be considered. Some companies or organizations use e-mail to advertise certain products or attract people to their Web sites, and the accuracy of health information may be influenced by the desire to promote a product or service.
What other types of things should someone be aware of when seeking medical information online?
MedlinePlus (medlineplus.gov) is an excellent place to start on the Internet. It is a service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. MedlinePlus offers high-quality information on more than 700 diseases and conditions. It does not advertise nor endorse any company or product on its site.
To avoid being taken in by unreliable health information online, adhere to the following checklist from MedlinePlus.
- Be a cyber skeptic. Does the site make health claims that seem too good to be true? Does it promise quick, dramatic, miraculous results? Beware of claims of a ‘breakthrough,’ or one remedy to cure a variety of illnesses. Ask your personal physician for an opinion.
- Check whether the information is current. Look for dates on documents. Click on a few links on the site. If there are a lot of broken links, the site may not be kept up to date.
- Beware of bias. Who pays for the site? Consider how that might affect the information offered. Be cautious of sites that do not identify their affiliation, perspective, or source of information.
- Protect your privacy. Health information should be confidential. Does the site have a ‘Privacy Policy’ link? Does it tell you what information it collects? If it states, ‘We share information with companies that can provide you with useful products,’ then your information isn’t private.
- Consult with your health professional. Information that you find on a Web site does not replace your doctor’s advice. Patient/provider partnerships lead to the best medical decisions. Review the information with a health care provider who knows you and who can help you put what you have learned into perspective. And never change anything about your health care unless your doctor says it’s OK.
Remember that anyone can publish anything they want on the Internet, whether it’s true or not. It’s up to you to determine which information is true and credible.
For more information on healthy Web surfing, visit www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthywebsurfing.html.
Dr. John Wallendjack is vice president of Medical Affairs for HealthAmerica. Reach him at [email protected].
