Evaluating Consumer Health Websites

Finding Reliable Health Information on the Internet

Christine Caufield-Noll, MLIS, AHIP

Community Health Library

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Summer 2012

Objective and Goals

• Objective– to help you be an informed partner in your

health care

• Goals– you will understand how to evaluate a

health website– you will learn how to use MedlinePlus.gov for

disease, drug, and directory information– you will be aware of other reliable drug

websites on the Internet

Did you know?• A Pew Internet survey reported that 57% of

American adults use the Internet to find healthcare information

• The most commonly-researched topics are specific diseases or conditions; treatments or procedures; and doctors or other health professionals.

• A typical search for health information is on behalf of someone else – information access by proxy

Source: http://www.pewinternet.org/Commentary/2011/November/Pew-Internet-Health.aspx

About the Internet

• No one is in charge• There are few rules and regulations• Anyone can build a website• No educational or professional

qualifications are necessary• Therefore, you cannot automatically trust

information found on the Web

From: Internet Power Searching: The advanced manual, Phil Bradley, Neal-Schuman Publishers

Remember the ABCs of evaluation

AccuracyAuthorityBiasCurrencyComprehension

Remember the ABCs of evaluation

Accuracy• Does the site provide references to scientific literature? (popular media doesn’t count)

Authority• Is the information from a credible source? (check the About Us section and the site’s domain)

Bias• Who pays for the site? Are ads/sponsored content clearly labeled?

Remember the ABCs of evaluation

Currency• Are there dates on the material? (under 5 yrs)

Comprehension• Is the information understandable and the site easy to navigate?

Warning

• Watch out for sites like– WebMD.com– Gerd.com– DrKoop.com

• These sites and other like them may have some reliable information, but their main goal is not to educate the user but to generate money

But how can I tell if a health website is reliable or not?

Example website evaluation

• Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Aging center– http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-

aging/MY00374– This site is in the top results for a Google

search of senior health

• Let’s check it out using our ABC’s of evaluation criteria

Ads by Google

“Our mission is to empower people to manage their health. We accomplish this by providing useful and up-to-date information and tools that reflect the expertise and standard of excellence of Mayo Clinic.”

“The senior medical editors are experienced Mayo Clinic clinicians and educators…They work on a daily basis with Web content producers and editors to ensure that all content is accurate, clear and relevant. Specialty medical editors…work with our editorial staff to bring you timely, relevant and accurate information and tools.”

“MayoClinic.com maintains a distinct separation between advertising content and editorial content. All advertising content on MayoClinic.com…is clearly labeled as an advertisement. Sponsored areas of the site are labeled as such, and the sponsoring organizations are identified.”

Thank you!

Please call Christine at 410-550-0681 or email her

at ccaufie1@jhmi.eduif you have any questions