Always seek a balanced view. Never
rely on the information from just one site.
Only trust that which you can
independently verify. Check that any documents or research can also be
found in a journal or library. Anyone can publish anything on the
Internet; it's far more difficult to get something published in a scientific
journal.
All authors should be identified and
their credentials and qualifications listed. Also look to see if they have
other published works.
Also look for references in the
documents to other credited material. Scientific papers will also list
their reference papers.
Look for evidence that the site is
regularly reviewed and that information is regularly updated. The date the
information was published should be made obvious.
Check for spelling! I've seen
a site from close to Siberia that purported to specialise in "un-continence"!
Look for any advertising or links to
commercial organisations. Who is backing the website? Would this cause a
conflict of interest or introduce bias? Is it a charity? All sites need
backing, however who's funding it might influence the opinions expressed.
Look for balance of opinion in the
site over a range of issues. Sites that offer opinionated views on a single
theme or subject are likely to be "single issue mavericks".
Be wary of anything that criticises
or disparages anyone or anything.
Look for evidence of an editorial
board, these tend to engender a variety of views.
How complex is the site? Big sites
need to be carefully managed, the smaller the site the less likely it is to be
backed by a substantial organisation.
Avoid any "on line
consultations or diagnosis". Consultations whether on the phone or face to
face is a dynamic exchange of information where the doctor is seeking out
information from the patient by way of open or guiding questions and the
patient seeks feedback or advice from the doctor. So called "e-mail or online
consultations" are little more than electronic memos and never approach the
requirements of a consultation.
What are the sites stated approaches
to privacy and confidentiality?
Just as in the high street, be wary
of anyone claiming miracle cures.
Contact addresses, as well as e-mail
contact addresses, are a sign of an organisation's existence in bricks and
mortar.