Ten Tips to Assure the Reliability of Health Care Info on the Net

1.                          One should first see who the author is.  The author should be clearly identified and contact information should be readily available. The IT team should also be available for technical difficulties. If this information is unavailable, the source may not be reliable.
2.                       Use more than one source. If several sites offer the same information when compared, the information is likely accurate. A site that produces its own content is more reliable than one that copies and pastes information from another source.
3.                            Sites that claim to be the only resource with all the facts on a certain topic should raise suspicion, especially if they are trying to sell a product. Sites that try to discredit other sources have a tendency to be unreliable. Tresca states that the adage "if it seems to good to be true, it probably is," is particularly true in these cases.
4.                        Reputable physicians do not diagnose and treat patients over the Internet. Question and answer columns from health care providers are popular and provide access to good information but should not be a substitute for a physical exam with a physician.
5.             Look for web sites that are maintained and updated regularly. Medicine and health care is constantly changing as new research is published, and information goes out of date quickly. What was considered a fact even a few years ago may now have been proven to be false.
6.                            Be aware of bias. Some companies’ content may be bias toward a product they are selling. 
7.                      Credible sites will provide links to their information source. Content will be plainly labeled. Facts and figures will be backed up by sources such as research papers or government reports. Again, pay attention to who the researcher is. If the source of the research is the company who is trying to sell the product, beware.
8.                       Know the privacy policy of the site. If asked for health information, find out why it is needed, will it be shared and if the site is secure.
9.                   If personal experiences are shared, one needs to decide if the information is opinion or fact.  Sharing of personal experiences can be helpful, but testimonials and opinions should be clearly labeled and not confused with fact.
10.                Use common sense. If an individual is uncertain of the information, they should follow their instinct.

Tresca, Amber J.  (2011, June). Finding reliable health information on the internet

learn how to spot the frauds, fakes and snake oil salesmen. About.com

Retrieved November 25, 2011f from http://ibdcrohns.about.com/od/mentalhealth/tp/Finding-Reliable-Health-Information-On-The-Internet.htm