Quick Tips: Finding Medical Information
Once you
have been diagnosed with a particular illness or condition, you need to
learn about treatment options (and so much more) in order to decide how to
proceed. But health information is everywhere today: books, magazines,
newspaper, television, the radio, and on the Internet. Where should you
turn?
Where to Find the Best Information
The best
and only type of information you should seek is “evidence-based” information
– information that is based on a careful review of the latest scientific
findings in medical journals. The best sources for evidence-based
information and research include the federal government, national non-profit
organizations, medical specialty groups, medical schools, and university
medical centers.
The list
below provides some reliable sources for evidence-based health information.
healthfinder®,
www.healthfinder.gov/organizations/OrgListing.asp: The
healthfinder® site, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, offers carefully selected health information Web sites from
government agencies, clearinghouses, non-profit groups, and universities.
Health
Information Resource Database,
www.health.gov/nhic/#Referrals: Sponsored by the
National
Health
Information
Center, this database
includes 1,400 organizations and government offices that provide health
information upon request. Information is also available over the telephone
at 1-800-336-4797.
MEDLINEplus®,
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus: MEDLINEplus® has extensive
information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted
resources on over 650 diseases and conditions. The site includes many
additional features.
National
non-profit groups such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer
Society, and American Diabetes Association can be valuable sources of reliable
information. Many have chapters in communities nationwide; check your phone book
for a local chapter. The Health Information Resource Database (listed above) can
help you find the national offices of many non-profit groups.
Health and
medical libraries run by government, hospitals, professional groups, and other
reliable organizations often welcome consumers. For a list of libraries in your
area, go to the MEDLINEplus “Find a Library” page at
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/libraries/html
Use
Caution Online
If you’re
trying to find information elsewhere on the Internet, try to stick with the
mainstream and steer clear of deceptive ads and information. Poor information
can cost you money, and more importantly, your health — especially if you delay
or refuse proper treatment because you have placed your trust in faulty
information.
Some tip-offs
that medical information on the Internet (or anywhere) is too good to be true
include:
-
Phrases
such as “scientific breakthrough,” “miraculous cure,” “exclusive product,”
“secret formula,” or “ancient ingredient”
-
Claims that
the product treats a wide range of ailments
-
Use of
impressive-sounding medical terms (this often covers up a lack of good
science)
-
Case
histories from consumers claiming “amazing” results
-
Claims that
product is available from only one source, or for a limited time
-
Offers of a
“money-back guarantee”
-
Claims that
others are trying to keep the product off the market
-
Ads that
fail to list the company’s name, address, or other contact information
When you find
information that you think is reliable, you still need to evaluate the
information, put it into context, and make careful decisions about risk. While
you need to seek information from a variety of sources, always work with
your own doctor to make your final decisions. Make sure your doctor
knows how you feel about your options. Be an active member of your team and
participate in the development of your treatment plan. Above all, know what
you need to do to make the plan work.
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