Most individuals search the web for answers to everyday questions, but especially health questions. It is important to guide individuals, but especially patients to websites that are credible. What are some of the important features of credible websites. When you are providing credible websites for patients, make sure that you have reviewed them before recommending. Most health organizations associated with a chronic condition, such as the American Heart Association, The National MS Society, etc. have credible, informative websites, but make sure that you are familiar and know where you are referring patients. You begin with understanding if the author of the web information has some authority in the field they are providing informabion on, has peer reviewed publications, is there evidence of author bias and does the author have clear connections to professional research, sources, etc.? retrieved from (http://mason.gmu.edu/-montecin/webcritique.htm.
Reddy (2012) described indicators of reliable quality obtained from websites and how to evaluate data. There is support in understanding that when peer reviewed authors are presenting information, there has already been a vetting process that should withstand critiquing. Evaluating references and scrutinizing the authors credibility will help prevent uncredible information from being used.
Abilock (2012) recommends websites for patients that tend to not be invested in a specific drug, but rather ones with scientific research such as the cdc.gov.
In the case study, when I looked up GERD in the listed websites. Wikipedia was thorough and had references which were credible. Visual descriptions were accurate and again, references were legitimate. Web MD did not have references, so this would not be a recommended site. CDC.Gov is reputable and has reliable information and resources. Typically, .edu, .org, .gov, .health net, are considered reliable, but the author and references have to be evaluated.
References
Abilock, D. (2012). True--or Not?. Educational Leadership, 69(6), 70.
Reddy, S. (2015). Help patients find credible information online. Family Practice Management,
22(6), 40.
Reliable medical websites. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov.
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