Consumer Health Libraries

Tips for Finding Health Information on the Web

Proceed with caution when researching health information on the Web. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between valid and misleading information.

There is no quality control over any information on the Web. It is up to you to review the information you receive carefully and thoughtfully. When evaluating the quality of health information online, look for these elements:

Source

Can you locate the name of the institution or individual responsible for the information? Is there a street address or telephone number? If the source is vague, the information may be equally unreliable. Does the producer of the site have qualifications, credentials, accountability, conflicts of interest or commercial sponsorship?

Dates

When was the information posted to the Internet? When was it updated?

Audience and Objectivity

Can you determine who paid for or sponsored the site? Who is the audience? If the purpose is to sell a product, the information could be biased.

Content

Does the information agree with that from other sources (including your health care provider)? Are there references?

Purpose

Is the purpose of the information to explain or inform, or is it to persuade or sell a product? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Find more information about how to evaluate health-related Web sites by visiting the Medical Library Association.

Good places to start your search

• MedlinePlus brings together by health topic authoritative information from the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health and other government, nonprofit and health-related organizations.
• Healthfinder can lead you to selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, Web sites, and support and self-help groups, as well as to government agencies and not-for-profit organizations that produce reliable information for the public. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services produces the site, and there is no advertising.
• New York Online Access to Health (NOAH) provides high quality, full-text health information for consumers that is accurate, timely and unbiased, from reputable and recognized Web based resources. NOAH supports both English and Spanish. The site is a joint project of the City University of New York, the Metropolitan New York Library Council, the New York Academy of Medicine and the New York Pubic Library. NOAH does not endorse or represent any commercial venture.

Disclaimer

Christiana Care Health System provides the information on this Web site as a service to the community. The site is offered for information purposes only. Visiting this Web site does not establish a therapeutic relationship, and the Web site is not and should not be a substitute for a personal consultation with a health care provider. Christiana Care Health System does not review, edit or endorse all items accessible from these pages and disclaims on behalf of itself, its affiliates, employees and agents, any responsibility for their content, accuracy and completeness of information, text, graphics, links and any results obtained from the use of such items contained within these materials or on any other server. Furthermore, discrepancies may sometimes exist between printed and electronic information. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information directly from Christiana Care Health System or other reliable sources. Christiana Care Health System may make changes to these materials, or the products and services described within these materials at any time without notice.

• If experiencing an emergency, dial 911
• Christiana Care Login
• Board Login
• Student Login
• Terms of Use
• Your Privacy