OHSU

Evaluating Web Resources

How can you be sure the health information you access via the Internet is sound or bona fide? It is important to carefully consider the source of any health information and to discuss details with your health care provider.

Ask yourself the following:

  • What are you looking for?
  • Who runs the Web site, is an author clearly identified?
    Look for: about us, background, author's information,qualifications, advertisements.
  • How current is the information on the Web site?
  • Look for: contact information, last updated.
  • Who pays for the Web site, is there a sponsor?
  • What is the purpose of the Web site?
  • Why is it there − information, persuasion, selling, news?
  • What's the tone of the page − serious, humorous, outrageous, ranting?
  • Is it credible − could it be published in/as a mainstream resource?
  • Is the information accurate and impartial?
  • Is the original source of the information documented?
  • How is information reviewed before it is posted?
  • How does the Web site choose links to other sites?
  • Are there links to other reliable sources? Do the links work?
  • Might content be plagiarized? Are there copyright permissions?
  • What does the page look like? Advertisements, colors, type font, ease of navigation
  • Is the information "too good to be true"?
  • Is the site trying to sell a product, service, or opinion?
  • What information about users does the Web site collect, and why?
Pierre Salinger Syndrome - The tendency for online users, especially new users, to assume any information published on the Internet is automatically true.

The URL: Who can you trust?

  • .GOV or government sites like the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.nih.gov)
  • .EDU University or medical school sites, hospital, healthsystem, and other health care facility sites such as OHSU (www.ohsu.edu)
  • .ORG or not-for-profit groups whose focus is research and teaching the public about specific diseases or conditions,such as Brain Awareness (www.oregonbrains.org). Keep in mind that ".org" doesn't guarantee a site is reputable, scammers may set up bogus .org sites.
The information you get from Internet sources can be helpful, however should not be the basis for your health/medical care decision-making. No health/medical information you find on the Internet should replace a doctor's medical advice. It should and can help you learn about your problem and treatment options so you can work better with your healthcare provider to get the best care possible.

What can you do if you suspect misleading information?

Complaints of false or misleading health claims posted on the Internet can be filed with the Federal Government. (www.ftc.gov)

Look for the truth

General health information finding tools

  • MedlinePlus produced by the National Library of Medicine (www.medlineplus.gov)
  • Healthfinder® from the US Department of Health andHuman Services (www.healthfinder.gov)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
    NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. (www.nih.gov)

E-libraries

  • National Library of Medicine (NLM)
    NLM collects, organizes, and makes available biomedical science information to scientists, health professionals, and the public (www.nlm.nih.gov)
  • Medical Library Association is a nonprofit, educational organization of more than 1,100 institutions and 3,600 individual members in the health sciences information field, committed to educating health information professionals,supporting health information research, promoting access to the world's health sciences information, and working to ensure that the best health information is available to all (www.mlanet.org)
  • OHSU Library "Ask a Librarian" This service is designed to answer health-related ready reference questions for OHSU faculty, staff, and students and for Oregon residents (www.ohsu.edu/library)
  • The Internet Public Library is a global information community that provides in-service learning and volunteer opportunities for library and information science students and professionals, offers a collaborative research forum, and supports and enhances library services through the provision of authoritative collections, information assistance,and information instruction for the public.(www.ipl.org)