Allied Health Professions
The Internet
The Internet is one of the fastest growing forms of communication today
.It has been suggested that there are three groups most likely to obtain information on rehabilitation
from the internet. First are consumers who want information on health concerns, second are those desiring
to improve client care, and third are professionals who interact for various reasons.
This website gives guidance on determining whether or not a piece of
health information is credible and relevant
www.hfht.org
What should you look for when evaluating the quality of health information
on web sites? Here are some suggestions
Consider the source -- Use recognized authorities
Know who is responsible for the content.
- Look for an "about us" page. Check to see who runs
the site: is it a branch of the federal government, a non-profit institution, a professional organization,
a health system, a commercial organization or an individual.
- There is a big difference between a site that says, "I developed this
site after my heart attack" and one that says, "This page on heart attack was developed by
health professionals at the American Heart Association."
- Web sites should have a way to contact the organization or webmaster. If the
site provides no contact information, or if you can’t easily find out who runs the site, use caution.
Focus on quality
-- All web sites are not created equal
Does the site have an editorial board? Is the information reviewed before
it is posted?
- This information is often on the "about us" page,
or it may be under the organization's mission statement, or part of the annual report.
- See if the board members are experts in the subject of the site. For example,
a site on osteoporosis whose medical advisory board is composed of attorneys and accountants is not
medically authoritative.
- Look for a description of the process of selecting or approving information
on the site. It is usually in the "about us" section and may be called "editorial policy"
or "selection policy" or "review policy."
- Sometimes the site will have information "about our writers" or
"about our authors" instead of an editorial policy. Review this section to find out who has
written the information.
Look
for the evidence -- Rely on medical research, not opinion
Does the site identify the author? Does it rely on testimonials?
- Look for the author of the information, either an individual
or an organization. Good examples are "Written by Jane Smith, R.N.," or "Copyright 2003,
American Cancer Society."
- If there are case histories or testimonials on the website, look for contact
information such as an email address or telephone number. If the testimonials are anonymous or hard
to track down ("Jane from California"), use caution.
Check
for currency -- Look for the latest information
Is the information current?
- Look for dates on documents. A document on coping with the loss
of a loved one doesn't need to be current, but a document on the latest treatment of AIDS needs to be
current.
- Click on a few links on the site. If there are a lot of broken links, the
site may not be kept up-to-date.
Beware
of bias -- What is the purpose?
Who is providing the funding?
Who pays for the site?
