Introduction to Online Health Information Flashcards
What is the purpose of consumer health information?
To provide the general public with clear, reliable, and accessible information on health and medicine.
How has technology and the availability of online information change the way people seek medical advice?
With the development of technology, we can now seek medical advice through online journals and websites instead of scheduling an appointment and visiting your doctor.
What kind of information do online medical websites provide?
They provide general information about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of a certain illness or condition. They also educate consumers on how to improve their lifestyle and increase their wellbeing.
What are the advantages of online health information?
It is a convenient and accessible way of obtaining information, allowing a larger number of people to be educated on important health topics. It is a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to consulting a healthcare professional for medical assessments. It also givers the user privacy, allowing them to research personal concerns without having to share their identity to others.
What are the disadvantages of online health information?
Not every information found online are accurate and scientifically proven. Consumers may be mislead about important health topics, especially if they cannot differentiate reliable sources from unreliable sources, often leading to self-diagnosis.
Why is it challenging for some people to differentiate reliable and unreliable sources?
Some people lack the necessary education or information literacy skills to critically evaluate the credibility of online information. Therefore, it is crucial that schools teach students how to assess source reliabiliy.
How can we determine if a source is reliable?
- Author- written or reviewed by a health expert
- Proof- mentions statistics and studies from reliable source
- Tone- states nothing but facts
- Date- the information is not outdated
- Check the website’s homepage or about us section to see who shared this information.
Why is self-diagnosis harmful?
Self-diagnosis may lead to a person innacurately diagnosing themselves with a medical condition and using inappropriate treatment, which can worsen their health. Consulting a doctor is still important as they can run tests and physically examine patients.
What are the four important factors that people should keep in mind when sharing online health information?
- Ensure that consumers should be well-informed.
- Allow consumers to access education.
- Respect consumers as individuals with great responsibility for their health.
- Provide equal access to healthcare information regardless of the consumer’s race, religon, social class, or location.
