Mid Yorkshire NHS
Library and Information Service
The Internet and health information
Tips to consider...
Thanks to the internet, you have access to millions of sites, and a
huge volume of health information . Finding reliable healthcare
information on the internet can be tricky. It can take hours of your
time and how do you know what you find can be trusted?
1.
Who runs the Web site?
Trustworthy websites make this clear usually on every page, for example
NHS Choices feature their logo on all pages. Also most reputable websites
have a section called ‘about us’ on the home page
2. What is the purpose of the website?
Is it selling something, a product or a point of view, Is it trying to raise
money? If so be cautious...look out for

Who runs the website?

Quackery—are claims too good to be true?

Sensational writing (Amazing!! Revolutionary! Life-changing!)

A trustworthy health website should use simple language and claims
should be checked on other similar websites.
3.
What is the original source?


Where did the website get its information from?
Is it clearly identified? If not be wary.
Good starting points for patient information...
4.
The importance of the web address
The most reliable websites are often set up by official organisations and
businesses. They can often be identified by their suffix.
.org not for profit organisations
.co.uk
company website in UK
ac.uk educational sites
.com
commercial organisations
5.
How is the information on the site documented?
Is it referenced correctly so you could easily find where it came from?
Medical facts and figures should say where they came from.
Does the site make it clear when it is giving someone's opinion or offering
advice and when/or if the information is evidence-based?
6.
Who prepares or reviews the website?
The website should make this clear, what are the medical credentials of the
writers/reviewers?
7.
How current is the information?
Healthcare websites should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis .
Check the bottom of the page this should tell you when the page was last
updated. Test some of the links, if the links are broken the site may not be
regularly checked for currency.
8.
How does the website interact with its visitors?
Reliable websites have a clear way for you to contact them and ask for help
or give feedback if necessary
Good websites to begin with…
http://www.nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx
NHS Choices
http://patient.info/
Patient UK
http://www.webmd.boots.com/default.html
WebMD patient info
This leaflet has been produced by Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Library and information service
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December 2016