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BE
AN INTELLIGENT SURFER Finding specific
health information on the Internet can test the patience of even the
most veteran Internet users. And no wonder. More than 10,000 healthcare
sites are now accessible. Sifting through the abundant data available on
a specific condition, drug agent or symptom can become overwhelming. Sure, this
unprecedented access to health information makes it easier for
individuals to assess and direct their own healthcare. But all Web sites
are not created equal. So pay attention to a few simple rules when
seeking the most “reputable” ones. 1). Get
information from multiple sources. Concepts that have only a few
advocates may not be scientifically proven or supported by the broader
medical community. 2). Check the date of articles. Medicine is a rapidly evolving field.
Information can go out of date quickly. 3). Evaluate the sponsors and authors of articles. Determine their point of
view. Are they writing the article for their own gain or are they
adopting more of a neutral journalistic approach? 4). Be wary of information from chat rooms and bulletin boards. Typically,
participant in chat rooms are anonymous and their motivations are
unknown. They approach medical issues with different levels of
sophistication and different belief systems. Chat rooms can be helpful
in exposing a participant to a wide variety of therapeutic options, but
be suspect when evaluating successes discussed in these forums. 5). Look for site approval
by a neutral third party. For example, the
HONcode seal of the Health on the Net Foundation--a not –for –profit
organization in Geneva, Switzerland, dedicated to upholding some basic
ethical principles—seeks to assure the reader of the sources and
motivations of the authors, It does not, however, rate the quality of
information. For details, visit www.hon.ch |
| For more information about Health Maps call 808.885.6778. | Friends of
the Future P.O. Box 2655, Kamuela, HI 96743 Tel: 808.885.6778 Fax: 808.885.4998 Email: future@flex.com |