Health Information on the Internet: Advice from the National Institutes of Health
Posted on 12/30/2007 by Susan Quinn, R.N., B.S.N
Information abounds on the internet, and health consumers are advised to explore cautiously. Much of the health information available on the internet is trustworthy, but there still exists a fair share of false, altruistic, claims about treatments and remedies for everything from the common cold to cancer. Many of these sites are maintained by unlicensed people, just trying to make a quick buck. Consumers should always be able to locate the source of the health information, and be able to verify that its contents were written by a licensed health professional- one who has received training in a specific health field and passed exams in order to hold a current license within his/her state of practice. Licensed health professionals include: Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, Chiropractors, Nutritionists and others. If you have a question regarding professional licensing, it is a good idea to check your state's professional board of licensing. The following Q & A is offered by the National Institutes of Health, and addresses reliability of health information on the internet.
- Who runs the web site?
Any Web site should make it easy for people to learn who is responsible for the site and its information. On the Office of Dietary Supplement's Web site, for example, the ODS is clearly noted on every major page, along with a link to the site's homepage.
- Who pays for the Web site?
It costs money to run a Web site. The source of a Web site's funding should be clearly stated or readily apparent. For example, Web addresses ending in ".gov" are Federal Government-sponsored sites, ".edu" indicates educational institutions, ".org" is often used by noncommercial organizations, and ".com" denotes commercial organizations. The source of funding can affect what content is presented, how the content is presented, and what the owners want to accomplish on the site.
- What is the purpose of the Web site?
The purpose of the Web site is related to who runs and pays for it. Many Web sites have a link to information about the site. The link, which is often called "About This Site," should clearly state the purpose of the site and help users evaluate the trustworthiness of the information on the site.
- What is the original source of the information on the Web site?
Many health and medical Web sites post information collected from other Web sites or sources. If the person or organization in charge of the site did not write the material, the original source should be clearly identified.
- How is the information on the Web site documented?
In addition to identifying the original source of the material, the site should identify the evidence on which the material is based. Medical facts and figures should have references (such as citations of articles in medical journals). Also, opinions or advice should be clearly set apart from information that is "evidence-based" (that is, based on research results).
- How is information reviewed before it is posted on the Web site?
Health-related Web sites should give information about the medical credentials of the people who prepare or review the material on the Web site. For example, ODS's Web site contains fact sheets about vitamins and minerals. All these documents undergo extensive scientific review by recognized experts from the academic and research communities. These fact sheets are updated annually.
- How current is the information on the Web site?
Web sites should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. It is particularly important that medical information be current, and that the most recent update or review date be clearly posted. Even if the information has not changed, it is helpful to know that the site owners have reviewed it recently to ensure that the information is still valid.
- How does the Web site choose links to other sites?
Reliable Web sites usually have a policy about how they establish links to other sites. Some medical Web sites take a conservative approach and do not link to any other sites; some link to any site that asks or pays for a link; others link only to sites that have met certain criteria.
- What information about users does the Web site collect, and why?
Web sites routinely track the path users take through their sites to determine what pages are being used. However, many health-related Web sites ask the user to "subscribe" or "become a member." In some cases, this may be done so they can collect a user fee or select relevant information for the user. In all cases, the subscription or membership will allow personal information about the user to be collected by the Web site owners.
Any Web site asking users for personal information should explain exactly what the site will and will not do with the information. Many commercial sites sell "aggregate" data about their users to other companies-information such as what percent of their users take dietary supplements. In some cases, they may collect and reuse information that is "personally identifiable," such as the user's ZIP Code, gender, and birth date. Users should be certain they read and understand any privacy policy or similar language on the site, and not sign up for anything they do not fully understand.
- How does the Web site manage interactions with users?
There should always be a way for users to contact the Web site owners with problems, feedback, and questions. If the site hosts a chat room or other online discussion areas, it should tell users about the terms of using the service. Is the service moderated? If so, by whom, and why? It is always a good idea to spend time reading the discussion without joining in, to feel comfortable with the environment before becoming a participant.
- How can people verify the accuracy of information they receive via e-mail?
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 products or attract people to their Web sites. The accuracy of health information may be influenced by the desire to promote a product or service.
- How does the Federal Government protect consumers from false or misleading health claims posted on the Internet?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces consumer protection laws. As part of its mission, the FTC investigates complaints about false or misleading health claims posted on the Internet. The FTC's Operation Cure-All page, located at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/cureall/ on the Internet, has information to help users evaluate health product claims.
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