Never before have consumers had so much information about medicine and health at their fingertips. The Internet is, perhaps, the most important development in the history of communication, and it has enabled people of the 21st century to find out vital, even life-saving, information in seconds. That said, anyone who spend more than five minutes browsing the Internet will learn very quickly that when it comes to indexing and disseminating the vast amount of information available, things could definitely be improved. In addition to all the reliable information out there, there is a lot of disinformation that ought to be ignored.

Not All Websites Are Created Equal

The engineers at search engine giant Google are well aware of the “spam” and other thin-information websites that are portrayed as authoritative. Through the use of adjustments to the mathematical algorithm used to determine which websites are given priority for user inquiries, Google has penalized sites that only seem to offer good information. What that has done is help increase the profile of truly authoritative websites, which is a tremendous benefit for users. Of course, even though a website might be at the top of a Google search, it doesn’t mean the information on that site can substitute for a doctor’s opinion.

Never attempt to self-diagnose a serious illness or injury using a website. Rather, use the information gathered on websites as a starting point for better understanding when you discuss the problem with your doctor.

Web MD

The Gold Standard for medical information websites has long been Web MD. In addition to its popular symptom checker function, Web MD features many articles and informational graphics regarding an almost overwhelming variety of medical conditions and theories. Almost anything regarding human health is covered, at least superficially, by information on Web MD.

That includes:

– Drugs and supplements

– Healthy living

– Family and pregnancy

– Medical news

– Medical research

– And much more

American Heart Association

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States, so it stands to reason that one of the most useful medical websites available is the one belonging to the American Heart Association. Here, you’ll find information about heart health, including prevention techniques, diet tips, exercise tips, and many other items that might just save your life if you pay attention.

Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic

The Mayo Clinic Health System stretches across the United States, with a base of operations in Minnesota. Mayo has long been recognized as one of the leaders in medical innovation, and in fact has become synonymous with cutting-edge treatment. The clinic’s website provides a wealth of information about medical research and treatment methods, and is one of the most reputable medical sites available.

The Cleveland Clinic also is a reputable organization with a nationwide reach, and its website contains a deep glossary of medical terms and, like the Mayo, a wealth of information regarding conditions and treatment.

Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health

The U.S. government provides an incredible amount of authoritative health information from two of its main medical arms, the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health. These sites both serve as repositories for medical research, and here you have access to medical patents and FDA-accepted medical treatments.

Wikipedia

While Wikipedia rightly is looked upon skeptically by industry experts, it nonetheless remains a valuable resource for non-experts who simply want to find out about the rudiments of a physical condition, or the history of treatment methods. Keep in mind that the content of Wikipedia is written by members of the public, and while interesting, it should never replace information gathered from more authoritative sources.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education. http://www.spineseminar.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to patient education.

Category: Internet
Keywords: Patient education