Finding Health Information You Can Trust

Our doctors are the best source of health information because they know us best. But sometimes we want to learn more about a health issue. The internet is a go-to for all sorts of information, such as health. The problem is not all health information online can be trusted. Some information can even be harmful.

It can be hard to know if a website and its information can be trusted. Here are some things to think about when looking at a website

Think About the Source

Make sure you know who created what you are reading or watching. A trustworthy site tells you who made or looked over the content.

• Has a doctor, nurse or other health professional made or reviewed the content?
• Is the information biased? Here is 1 example of bias: A video is made by a company that sells medicines for diabetes. The video talks about diabetes and advises people to use those medicine. That is biased because the company makes money if people buy their medicine.

Look Who Runs the Site

Some websites can be trusted because they belong to federal agencies. An example is the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Professional groups can also be trusted. Examples are the American Academy of Family Physicians or non-profit groups like the American Heart Association. Well-known hospitals and medical schools, such as Boston Children’s Hospital or Johns Hopkins, also give good information.

In general, a website address can help you see what type of site it is. Sites ending in:

Well-established and reputable sources of health information include Federal agencies, such as the FDA and USDA. You can reach Federal websites by visiting www.usa.gov. Professional organizations such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, and non-profit organizations, such as the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, are also good sources of information. You can also trust well-known medical schools, such as Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, or Boston Children’s Hospital.

Websites cost money to host. Therefore, it’s important to understand how the site is funded. The funding may influence the advice that is offered. The website address may give some information. For example, an address that ends in:

• .gov identifies it as a US government agency
• .org usually signifies a non-profit organization
• .edu identifies an educational institution
• .com extension is usually, but not always, an indicator of a commercial or profit website

Each website should also have information about its origins and business relations to help identify any conflicts of interest. Excess advertising and requests for personal information may be signs of conflicts of interest.

Web sites should also provide easy and recognizable access to the author or site for feedback as it shows a willingness to be responsible for the content.

Quality of Data

There are many people with an impassioned view on health and medical treatment. Unfortunately, not all are based on facts. Look for references to research or scientific support of the statements. If the article is based on a specific study look for details on that study. Factors that make studies more reliable include:

• Large number of participants—the more participants involved in the study the more reliable the outcomes are.
• Publication in a peer-reviewed journal—this means the study was reviewed by other medical and research professionals and the study protocol met certain quality standards.
• Study was conducted by independent party that does not have a financial interest in the outcome of the study.

Some online information is created by non-medical people who struggle with similar health complaints. Details about coping with conditions and navigating the health system can be very helpful but beware of medical advice. We all have our unique health histories, medical experiences, and treatment goals. It is important to talk about your questions or treatment changes with your doctor.

Check the Date

We learn new things about medicine every day. New studies come to different conclusions and guidelines can be changed. As a result, you’ll want to ensure that the content you trust online is recent. Often, the bottom of the page will have a date. If the content hasn’t been reviewed by experts in the field and updated in 3 years, then look for other sources.

You don’t have to completely discard old information, though. Sometimes it can provide you with a much-needed historical background as to how a disease or condition used to be managed.

Talk To Your Doctor

It’s important to use common sense as you surf the Internet for health information. It can be easy to become confused by everything out there. Online health information should never be a substitute for a conversation that you should be having with your doctor. The information is merely a tool to have a more informed and productive conversation. Always talk to your doctor before you act on any information that you find online or if you feel frustrated with your current care.

Revision Information

• Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board
• Review Date: 02/2016
• Update Date: 04/01/2022