Using the internet to find reliable
health information
Not all information on medicines is reliable, but there are ways to tell the difference
between the good and the not-so-good.
The internet is full of information. Some
of it is accurate, some is not. Some is
unbiased, some is not. Ask yourself the
following questions about a health website.
The answers will help you decide whether
the website is a reliable source
of information.
Is the content complete and in depth?
ƒ
Who developed the site?
ƒ Is it clear who wrote the material?
ƒ
Does the author state his or her
perspective, such as 'I am a medical
expert’ or ‘I am a cancer survivor’?
ƒ
Is it clear who published the material?
ƒ
Is any commercial interest or
sponsorship stated clearly?
ƒ
Is it clear why the site was developed?
ƒ
Can you contact the author
or publisher?
ƒ
For diseases or conditions,
does it indicate:
o the causes
o
how to prevent them
o
how to recognise them
o
how they are diagnosed
o
treatments/procedures (and
alternatives)
o
what happens after treatment
is over
o
how to maintain quality of life
once a condition is diagnosed.
For information on treatments,
does it cover:
o how treatments work
o
the benefits and harms
o
the effects on quality of life
o
some possible alternative
treatments and lifestyle options
o
the likely effect of not using
the treatment?
ƒ
Is it clear whether the material
is based on scientific evidence?
ƒ
Is it clear where the information
is sourced from?
ƒ
Is the material presented within
the Australian context?
Privacy
ƒ If the site asks you for information,
does it tell you exactly why it wants
this information?
ƒ
Are the site’s privacy guidelines
stated?
ƒ
If you have to register to use the
site, is the reason clear and your
privacy ensured?
Is the information up to date?
ƒ Is the date of the last update
clearly visible?
Is the site easy to use?
ƒ Is the language easy to understand?
ƒ
Is the presentation clear?
Does the site present a broad view
of health?
ƒ Does the site recognise that health has
many elements, can be different for
different people and is affected by basic
things like income?
ƒ Does it tell you about choices open to
you, including not having treatment?
To access internet information
ƒ Print off website Information and
take it (or any printed brochures,
newspaper articles and other material)
to your doctor or pharmacist
to discuss.
ƒ
Go to the Australian Government’s
HealthInsite website at
www.healthinsite.gov.au.
ƒ
Go to Consumers’ Health Forum
of Australia at www.chf.org.au
for Australian health consumer
organisations and information.
ƒ Does it admit that not everything about
health is totally understood, and that
some things are uncertain?
For more information
Contact the Medicines Line on 1300 888 763, or the National Prescribing Service at
www.nps.org.au, or the Consumers’ Health Forum of Australia at www.chf.org.au.
Published July 2007
NPSB0455