Yes, the easy availability of information online is a boon, especially when it comes to health and medicine. Yes, doctors and patients can both benefit by its use. Yes, patients with complex or rare diseases can do some research, seek second opinions, and locate medical experts. Yes, it helps educating people on rarely discussed problems like sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS. Yes, patients can establish network and support groups.
No, it's not one, big, happy story.
The sheer number of sites makes it easy for users to face all kinds of hassles ranging from misinformation, to fraud and confusion. How, then, does a common surfer with no formal medical training, judge the quality of health information he finds online?
Common sense is the best option and can be used to critically and vigilantly analyse the reliability of these sites. Sites that either subscribe to the Hon Code principles or are certified by government-sponsored sites like Med Certain, supported by the European Commission and US Government's Healthfinder should be preferred. Quack Watch also features a database of bogus and unreliable sites, while offering tips on identifying a quack site.
Most health-related websites are only revenue models surviving solely on advertising. "There is no organisation which provides special permissions or licenses for setting up health and medical websites, which means anyone can do so. This is why there are so many carrying unreliable information," says Dr Anirudha Malpani, MD, Malpani Fertility Clinic.
There are a few voluntary websites and organisations that offer rating systems to evaluate the quality of information. However, one is never too sure of the criteria used by them to assess credibility of information, as there is no stern and authorised body to certify the validity of their measures.
"A health and medical site should be certified based on its accuracy, credibility, interactivity, relevance and reliability. Many organisations now have guidelines for medical websites, but these are all voluntary guidelines and cannot be enforced. The Internet is still like the Wild West -- the last untamed frontier, where everyone is free to say what they like," cautions Dr Malpani.
Furthermore, studies have shown that personal privacy is of primary concern among Internet users who seek medical information. Sites need to convince their guests to stay without the fear of their details being revealed. Strict personal privacy codes should be enforced to prevent personal medical information from being misused.
Suresh Ramu, Product Manager, Doctor Anywhere, sums it up rightly: "The risk of validation of content is solely on the reader. Most websites provide disclaimers to the effect that they bear no responsibility for the authenticity of information".
Moreover, information gathered from any source (magazines, ezines, journals, government publications, newspapers and Internet) should be assessed and analysed carefully, and should be implemented only after a thorough discussion with your doctor or other medical professional.
You've been warned.
-- Sources of guidance on assessing health information:
Finding Quality Health Information on the Internet - Internet Healthcare Coalition (US)
Helps you find quality health information on the Internet.
British Healthcare Internet Association
List of organisations concerned with healthcare information online.
Med Scout
A database of rated medical sites.
Health Care
Offers a list of recommended resources for healthcare consumers.
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