Snake Oil or Sound Advice? Evaluating Medical Information on the Internet


In this modern age, anyone with a computer can set themselves up as an internet entrepreneur, and many have revived an old profession better left in the past-the traveling patent medicine man. Outrageous claims of miracle cures abound online, and it is difficult to resist the lure of a simple answer to complicated medical problems. Asking two simple questions can help you determine whether or not that medical information is true and useful: what is the purpose of this information, and who is the source?

Consider the Source

The first thing to ask when evaluating a source is “Who is responsible for this website? “ Is it difficult to determine who sponsors the website, does the author lack professional credentials or contact information? Do you have to give your email to receive more details? A responsible medical website will be upfront about the sponsorship and scholarship of the information presented, and will have taken steps to ensure the privacy of visitors to the website.

As a general rule, medical websites that end in “.gov”, “.edu” or “.org” are reliable sources of information. Websites that use the “.gov” designation are operated by the federal government, and as such are designed to serve the citizens who fund their  symptoms, “all-in-one” remedies, and “secret” or exotic ingredients, and food supplements are also highly suspect. If scientific information is sited on the websites, be sure that studies have large sample sizes, were conductedresearch efforts in public health.  Teaching universities and colleges using the “.edu” designation also make excellent sources of reliable information, as do established medical journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine. Non-profit organizations dedicated to research using the “.org” designation are also dedicated to serving the public, and will not willingly disseminate misinformation.

Websites of these kinds will have information that will identify any original sources, and all medical facts and figures will have citations from articles or studies published in other medical journals.  If a website is deceptive about who is the sponsor, does not protect your privacy, and is not related to any non-profit research organization, university, government agency or an established and accomplished medical institution, the information may not be entirely trustworthy.

Consider the Purpose

Unlike the previously mentioned sources, websites that end in “.com” are most often commercial sites. For this reason, if the medical information on such a website is mentioned in conjunction with a product, be especially wary. Inflated claims of a quick and dramatic cure to your on human subjects, and are peer reviewed. If the motivations of a website are clearly commercial and not educational in any manner, your health is not their motivation. Discuss all findings with your healthcare providers before you make any decisions that could impact your health.

If you are looking for answers from Board Certified Physicians, you can contact Non-Surgical Orthopaedics at 770-421-1420 today. For more medical information and resources, check out our blog.

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