How to Find Trusted Online Health Information
With more and more patients searching for health information on the internet, making sure this information is accurate is essential. According to a recent survey, 81% of Americans search the web for health information. Nurses can play an instrumental role in helping patients recognize reputable health information on the internet.
Here are some important questions to ask about any health website:
- Who sponsors the site?
- How recently was the site updated?
- What is the site’s purpose?
- Is there more than one treatment option listed, and are there pros and cons for each treatment?
- What evidence is there to support the information?
To avoid these issues, nurses can encourage their patients to go to Medline Plus, which is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. This site is created by professionals, covers hundreds of conditions, and only has links to quality government and non-profit websites.
No matter how reliable the source, nurses should always remind their patients to ask a professional if they have any questions or concerns over their health.
To learn more about trusted health websites, click here.
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