Avoiding Misinformation Online
According to the most recent Pew Internet study, 80 percent of us are turning to the Internet for health and medical information.
Unfortunately, not everyone is finding good, credible health information. Instead, what many of us are finding isn’t useful, and may even be wrong and dangerous.
From providing straight marketing information that isn’t objective, to misinformation, even snake oil, too many individuals and businesses are more interested in separating us from our money, than helping us improve our health.
Sometimes it’s not easy to identify which information is worthwhile. When we are frightened or desperate, we lose objectivity. We may be tempted to believe information that otherwise would raise red flags, or at least make us pause to question it. Sometimes what we think is good objective information, is instead advertising in disguise.
How can you tell which information is worth believing? Establish the site’s credentials, then follow the money.
Here’s how:
Begin by looking behind the scenes to see who put the information you’ve found online. Try to figure out what that individual or organization stands to gain by providing you with that information.
Is the site focused only on selling or promoting one product or brand of product? Then it’s not objective – it’s advertising. Does it describe a treatment protocol that you can’t find confirmed somewhere else? Then it may not be tested, approved or safe. A site may make claims that “doctors approve” or that “medical research shows…” but look to see who those doctors are and what research it refers to. You may want to double check the cited research to be sure the claims on the website are true.
If you aren’t sure whether a website’s information is credible, ask someone else to help you review it, someone who has no emotional stake in your health outcomes or the information’s objectivity. A librarian or neighbor might be a good choice.
Once you’re convinced it’s credible and objective, then it will be time to discuss your findings with your doctor. But tread lightly. Doctors complain that they spend too much time convincing patients that something found on the web isn’t what it seems, or doesn’t apply to their situation. Be sure you don’t waste the little time you get with your doctor.
The Internet is a tremendous tool for us patients who want to be better informed, as long as it’s used wisely.
..........................
Learn more specifically how to find health information you can trust on the Internet.
| 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
|
Trisha Torrey
is the author of
You Bet Your Life!
The 10 Mistakes
Every Patient Makes
(How to Fix Them
to Get the
Health Care You Deserve)
It expands on the articles found
on this site, providing an
exposé of the problems that
exist in the healthcare system,
and tools you can use to get the care you deserve.
....
Learn more about
You Bet Your Life!
........................
Do you need help with your
medical care, hospital stay, insurance or
healthcare bills?
A patient advocate may
be able to help.
Advocates and patient navigators
are ready to help you at
AdvoConnection.
Search for the help you need
at no cost to you. |
