Finding Online Health Information

stethoscope and computer keyboard

The amount of health and medical information on the internet is vast. A few helpful hints can save you time and help you find reliable and credible information on the Web.

Choosing a Reliable Source

Starting with a reliable source, such as our website, is a good starting point. You may want to begin with our Health Topics Library. The University Health Care website is a gateway to several health resources on the internet. Some resources are created and maintained by University Health Care staff. Others link to evaluated web resources from credible organizations and agencies.

Searching Online

Using a search engine (such as Google or AltaVista) can yield thousands of websites. How do you choose which sites are best? Two important questions to ask when evaluating the trustworthiness of a website are:

  • Is the information timely and reliable?
  • Is the information from a credible source?

Other important questions to ask are included in the Criteria for Evaluating Internet Resources. Additionally, the principles from the HON Code of Conduct (Health On the Net, Inc.) can provide further guidance.