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Winter 2009/10 | Vol 13 No 2

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Sheila Lacroix

Untangling the web: How to evaluate online health information

About 80 per cent of Internet users look for health information online. But relying on the Internet can be scary. We all know what frequently comes up through popular search engines like Google – online pharmacies, private clinics, snippets from magazines, and now that everyone’s blogging, all sorts of first-hand commentary. Even if items are from reputable sources, for example, a news story reporting on a recently released scientific study, it may just lead to link after link, ending with an inaccessible research article or information that is difficult to understand.

Most likely, some of your clients or their families have asked you for reliable online sources of mental health and addiction information. Here are tips for how to evaluate information online, so that you can educate yourself and your clients.

Separating the wheat from the chaff

A common rule of thumb for a first go at evaluating web information is the rather appropiately called CRAAP test. Look for:

Currency
Relevance
Authority
Accuracy
Purpose

The CRAAP test is widely published on the Internet, so you can easily find more guidance on these points. For health information, the issue of authority is particularly important. If the creator of the content is a trusted source on the particular health topic and serves the public, the other items should fall into place. Trusted publishers could be research centres of excellence, government agencies, professional associations, advocacy and support organizations or health departments.

The Internet landscape continues to change and increase in complexity. The source of websites is no longer obvious from the web address. Now there are offspring websites, many based on partnerships, with generic names, where the association  may not be apparent from the web address. The main page should clearly indicate the source. Look for the logo representing the source, with wording such as “sponsored by” or “a project of.” For example, eMentalHealth.ca is a project one of whose partners is the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health. Alcohol Screening is an online screening tool sponsored by Join Together and the Boston University School of Public Health.

What about research? It’s always tempting to pursue exciting news about studies related to your specific area of interest, or doing research through PubMed or MedlinePlus. The National Network of Libraries of Medicine provides an excellent guide for evaluating research reports.

A valuable general resource is the Guide to Healthy Web Surfing, published by MedlinePlus. It expands on the CRAAP guidelines with health and safety in mind.

Here are some additional pointers you can share with clients who want to do their own online research.

• Beware of claims of a remedy that will cure all.
• Avoid commercial sites selling services, medications or paraphernalia. Many sites may have commercial components or have partnerships with private companies, such as a pharmaceutical firm. A site that is primarily commercial has profitability as its bottom line.
• Check for contact information and use it for your questions if something is unclear.
• Look for content developed by health professionals or health organizations, with onsite information about the qualifications of the contributors. Personal stories provide great peer support, but the presence of sensational testimonies could be a flag that something is being sold or a philosophy pushed.
• If personal information is solicited, be sure there is a privacy policy. Don’t offer any information that makes you uncomfortable or seems unnecessary.
• Look for help and information from more than one source and share this with your health practitioner if possible. Most good sites will offer options and choices, not simply, “Call for an appointment…”

Resources for youth in a wired world

Young people may be particularly vulnerable to poor information because they tend to rely on their cyber peers and the Internet as they surf, text and network with an extended audience. Here are some trustworthy Canadian sites for young people, some with content developed by youth.

Kids Help Phone The website of this national phone counselling, referral and Internet service gives children and youth a place to ask questions and share stories.

Mind Your Mind An award-winning youth-to-youth website that includes a professional portal.

Psychosis Sucks The Fraser South Early Psychosis Intervention Program website site promotes early detection.

Xperiment.ca A drug prevention website developed as part of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Drug Prevention Strategy for Canada’s Youth.

Yoo Magazine Health Literacy Program Individuals or school and community groups can register.