Evaluating Health Information:
A Guide for Health Professionals

Books, magazines, and the internet are three major sources of information about health, but just because the information is published doesn't mean that it's reliable. Sometimes a book or website that looks trustworthy is based on opinions rather than facts, and sometimes the information is just plain wrong. With so much information out there, how do you decide what to believe? The following tips will help you examine health information so you can decide for yourself whether or not the information is reliable.

Question the source of the information

Here are some questions to help you decide if the information is biased:

• Who created the information? Are they trying to promote a product, idea, or agenda?
• Is there valid contact and "About Us" information on the website?
• Is there advertising presented along with the information?
• Is a variety of information presented, or just one point of view?
• Is the information from a medical or health-related organization? If not, what is the author or organization's motivation for publishing health information?

Evaluate the reliability of the information

Other things to consider:

• Is it easy to find out who created the information? The author and/or organization should be clearly identified, and contact information should be available. Is the site professionally managed and reviewed by experts in the field?
• Is the information clearly organized? If you are looking at a website, do the links work?
• Is the information up-to-date? Look for the date of the most recent publication. Health information and treatments change all the time, so old information may no longer be accurate.
• Who is the information created for? Content should be age-appropriate. For example, if intended for teens, it should be teen-friendly and written at an appropriate reading level.
• Does the site have sponsors? All sponsorship, advertising, or commercial interests should be clearly stated.
• Does the site credit sources? Statements such as "from my own experience" reflect the opinion of an individual rather than established facts from research.

Check links and more links

Not only do you want to be sure that the links work, it's very important to know where the links go. Are there links to the sources of information that are cited?

Don't be fooled by website claims

Be alert to websites that credit themselves as the only source of the information or if the site blatantly discredits other sources of information.

Use common sense

If the information appears unprofessional, it probably is. Compare the information you find on a website with information from other reputable sites.

Check out websites

It's important to take the time to check out a website before recommending it. In the long run, it's good to know if the advice you are giving is reliable. Information published by medical societies, health care organizations (.org), the government (.gov), or nonprofit organizations are usually good sources of information.

Assist adolescents and their families

As a health care professional, provide recommendations to reliable information that is clear and easy to understand. Be sure to reinforce that the information they read should not replace ongoing communication with their health care provider.

Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 3/24/2011