Patient\'s Guide to the Internet

Patient's Guide To The Internet

Evaluation Criteria for Healthcare Websites

The Internet has become the catalyst for a multitude of information and knowledge sharing websites, portals and vast databases and data marts that provide consumers with healthcare information. There are many that are reputable, high quality websites for healthcare information on the Internet. There are just as many if not more websites that seek to sell advertising based on how many visitors they can get to visit their sites. These types of companies and the websites they produce often don't consider information quality as important as Internet traffic, which is important to selling more advertising. Here are a set of criteria that can be used for determining which websites offer accurate, high quality healthcare information. First, websites who have been created to assist the general public with their healthcare questions and concerns state clearly what their mission and purpose are (p. 1781) (Stvilia, Mon, Yi, 2009). On the better websites there are also impendent medical review boards of healthcare specialists who review and audit the information provided. Websites who do not have these attributes may be more interested in selling advertising than being accurate with healthcare information. Second, there is a specific advertising policy defined that states only ads that meet their review process approval and are in good taste will be used. The advertising policy of a healthcare website also includes the right to remove an ad at any time (Lorence, Abraham, 2008). Third, there is a high level of privacy supported for anyone visiting the website, and in the well-operated healthcare sites there are considerations taken for how to protect the privacy of consumers. Look for websites that have received accreditation for the American HealthCare Accreditation Association and also from the TRUSTe Privacy Program (Lorence, Abraham, 2008).

Using Healthcare Evaluation Criteria Effectively

It is common given the anxiety, stress and uncertainty about the global economy that many people are experiencing insomnia more than ever before. This can be as relatively minor as a night without sleep every few weeks or a continual struggle to sleep every night. Curing insomnia by just trying to Google a response to the problem only unleashes a flood of websites that offer all sorts of over-the-counter and prescription medications. The person wants to find relaxation techniques and also understand how they can overcome the insomnia on their own without having to take the trouble of going into a physician's clinic. In choosing which website to trust, using the evaluation criteria provided will be very useful. An example of a website that meets the criteria as defined is WebMD.com. Let's take a look at this website to see why. First, the website makes it clear they have an editorial policy, and their mission and purpose are to provide accurate, valid healthcare information to its website visitors. The WebMD Medical Review Board also regularly evaluates all content, which is precisely what is needed to make sure the information is accurate and valid. Second, WebMD specifically states their advertising policy and goes a step further to offer their financial condition as well. Third, WebMD is accredited by both the American HealthCare Accreditation Association and also TRUSTe. Both of these accreditations ensure patient privacy (Lorence, Abraham, 2008). Now also consider the website well.com's coverage of insomnia. First, this website is run by Salon Media Group, a magazine company. Second, there is no accreditation from privacy companies, and no review board for medical accuracy of information. This is a website aimed purely at advertising revenue and therefore one to be avoided for healthcare advice.