Healthwise on the web
The Internet can be a great resource for health related
information but it is important to remember:
- It is not a replacement for your family doctor. If you have a
health concern always arrange an appointment with your GP.
- No one is in charge of the Internet, anyone can create a web
site and there may be no-one checking that the
information is correct.
- Some people use the Internet to make money, they could be
selling medicines illegally, or recommending a wonder cure that
doesn't work.
- Healthcare in other countries is organised differently to the
UK. Certain treatments may be restricted or not be available in the
UK.
How to evaluate websites
When you find a website on the internet that deals with your
enquiry, it is good practice to be cautious about accepting
everything the site has to say. Websites are not always what they
seem, so you need to establish whether the information provided on
the site is Accurate,
Authoritative, Current and
Unbiased.
Good questions to ask yourself are:
- Who has created the site and what are their credentials? Look
for any links on the site to "Home" or "About Us" which should tell
you more about the people behind the site.
- Try to establish when the information on the site was
published. Advancements in medicine can move quickly, so be
cautious about information that is more than four or five years
old.
- Ask yourself about the purpose of the website. Is its main
purpose to inform or is it a commercial site? If the website is
selling something, the information may be biased.
Look at the last part of the website address (before any forward
slashes "/"):
- uk means the site originates in the UK
- ac.uk means the site was created by a UK
academic institution like a university or college
- nhs.uk means the site has been created by a UK
hospital or health organisation
Sites created by organisations like the NHS, or universities, or
organisations like the BBC have rules about the quality of the
information that goes on to their sites.
Finally, always remember that although the internet can be
a great source of information it is not a substitute for your
family doctor.
