|
<
-
| |
Online Medical Advice
Health Corner
The
number of Internet users who search health-related topics online jumped from 54
percent to 80 percent in two years. Women are nearly 20% more likely to research
a specific medical problem than men. But relying on medical information on the
Web could be risky. Recent federal investigations found that more than 800 sites
had questionable information about six major diseases. The Internet isn’t
monitored for accuracy so any unscrupulous individual can make health-related
claims. Fortunately, sidestepping medical mis-information is as easy as
recognizing clues that signal credibility. Here, the simple tips that will net
you the best health advice:
 |
Proof of
credibility: A clear “Contact Us” link
 |
Sound
health-related websites show their allegiance to the information they
present by posting direct-contact details, like their bricks and mortar
address—not a P.O. address. |
|
They provide an
“about us” page, where the qualifications of those overseeing the site’s
content are made clear. |
|
|
Proof of
credibility: Documented Sources
|
Reliable sites
will clearly identify where their evidence originated. |
|
Doctors should
provide credentials. |
|
Experts don’t
rely on only one source of information and consumers shouldn’t either |
|
|
Proof of
credibility: Regular reviews
|
Beware of pages
that haven’t been evaluated. |
|
Look for the
“last reviewed” date. If it’s older than 12 months, it is outdated. |
|
|
Proof of
credibility: No big promises or digs
|
Avoid sites that
peddle a “surefire cure” or use a conspiratorial tone that urges you to
distrust others are masking marketing as medicine. |
|
Some of the red
flags—tones of testimonials in lieu of study-backed facts and
recommendations to ditch doctor-prescribed medications. |
|
If a “miracle
cure” sounds too good to be true, it probably is. |
|
Source
is First Magazine.
|
