Evaluating Health-Related Web Sites
With a multitude of health-related web pages on the Internet, it's challenging to "separate the wheat from the chaff." A simple search on a health topic can bring up valuable information and some that may actually be dangerous. The checklist below is designed to guide the searcher to good medicine. (For a more extensive list of links on this topic view the MEDLINEplus page on Evaluating Health Information). You may also view an online tutorial about Evaluating Online Resources.
timeliness
- Is the page dated?
- Is the date of revision current enough to reflect up-to-date information on the topic?
- Are the links in the document directed to current pages?
- Is the site easily navigated and logically laid out?
- Is there user-friendly online help, when and where appropriate?
- Is it available free-of-charge?
Audience
- Is the intended audience clearly identified?
- Is the site for health professionals or is it suited to consumers?
Sponsorship
- Is the producer/author of the site clearly identified?
- Is there a way to contact the author?
- Are the author's credentials listed and verifiable?
- Does the author have demonstrable expertise in this field?
- Is the site biased because of its sponsorship?
- Is it funded by an organization that is using the site to promote its opinions as well as presenting factual information?
Content
- Is the site purely for informational purposes or is it designed to sell a product or service?
- Does the site publish a disclaimer emphasizing the importance of consulting with a qualified health care professional concerning medical and health questions?
- Is there a privacy statement regarding information you may be prompted to enter?
- Are statements of opinion clearly described as such?
- Does the site subscribe to the HONcode of conduct or the eHealth Code of Ethics for medical and health web sites?
Examples of Quality Health Web Sites
- American Heart Association
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Healthfinder™
- HealthWeb
- KidsHealth.Org
- Mayo Clinic
- Medem
- MedlinePlus
- NOAH: New York Online Access to Health
- Oncolink: A University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource