Reliable information is crucial where your health is concerned, and finding information you can trust on the internet can be troublesome. When you are looking for health-related websites, the American Medical Association recommends that you ask yourself the following questions:
Look for sites created by medical associations, hospitals, medical centers, medical schools and the US government. These groups will give you the most current and trustworthy information. MedlinePlus is an outstanding source for information provided by this type of agency.
When was it last updated? Always look for sites that have been updated within the last 12 months. A site that has not been updated in 2 years will not have the most recent and reliable information.
If it is opinion, then whose opinion is it? Are qualified professionals (doctors, nurses, scientists) giving their opinions, or is the site just a sounding board for non-professionals? Patient forums can be wonderful resources, but check out any recommendations with your doctor.
Sites created by professionals for the general public provide clear, concise information in an easy to navigate format. Sites that cater to professionals can be very technical and hard to understand. We recommend MedlinePlus.
