Searching for Health Information Online
Searching for Health Information Online
When first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, most families will take the first steps of learning and researching about the disease. Often, their exploration will lead to searching through online resources to find answers to their most mind-burning questions. These can be helpful, but only if they come from credible and reliable sources.
Below are some tips to help you navigate through your online resources.
Check the link suffix.
Websites sponsored by government, educational institutions, or credible professional organizations are more likely to provide unbiased information than commercial websites.
.gov = U.S. government
Example: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Parkinsons-Disease-Information-Page
.edu = educational institution
Example: https://www.slucare.edu/neurology/movement-disorders-center.php
.org = professional or non-profit organization
Example: https://www.michaeljfox.org
.com = commercial website such as a website for a drug company
Example: https://www.supernus.com/commercial-products
Check out the ‘About Us’ link.
If there is an 'About Us' link, review the purpose of the organization. If the purpose is to promote commercial products or services, the health information provided may not be trustworthy.
Is there contact information for the organization such as an email or phone number so you can contact them to learn more about their organization or website information?
Make sure the information matches.
Compare credible websites. Compare the info you find on one credible website with information on other websites to see if it is consistent.
Use certain sources only to jump-start additional research.
Online support groups, forums, or blogs are a great way to share Parkinson’s experiences and information, but well-meaning people can unintentionally introduce inaccuracies. These online formats can be used to fuel further research, but shouldn’t be relied upon as a trusted source of health and medical advice.