Finding Online Medical Advice
Want to find reliable health information online? Start by avoiding sites that haven’t been recently updated or those that lack peer-reviewed research to support their advice. Also stay away from sites that have ads, says Joseph Hobbs, M.D., chairman of the family practice department at the Medical College of Georgia. While nothing replaces a doctor’s advice, he recommends the information found at:
- Your physician’s site. Today many doctors have a presence in cyberspace. Their sites not only describe their specific practice but also provide medical information and reliable links.
- Academic health centers. Teaching hospitals often post dependable, up-to-date data. Good examples include Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn.
- FamilyDoctor.org Sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, this site covers every stage of life. It’s particularly strong on children’s developmental issues.
- Healthfinder.gov The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ site offers excellent material, and its links provide access to medical knowledge.
- CDC.gov Curious about a public-health issue? No finer resource exists than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site.
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