Organizations such as HiEthics, Health on the Net Foundation, the Internet Health Coalition and the American Medical Association have adopted guidelines for providing high quality medical information on the Web. We’ve taken these guidelines and translated them into easy steps you can use to find reliable health information. When searching the Web, ask yourself:

What's the source of the information?
Major hospitals and medical centers, national health organizations, medical journals and federal government health sites are more likely to offer objective, well-organized content that has been reviewed by medical experts. Also, some sites list the sources for their health content.

Who is the intended audience?
Is the site written for consumers or medical professionals? Sometimes when you arrive at a health Web site, you can choose between information directed at patients/consumers or information for health professionals. You are probably better off reading the consumer/patient information sections first to gain a general understanding of the topic. Then try reading the health professional section for additional information. You might even consider bringing the section to your health care provider for explanation, if appropriate.

Watch for conflicts of interest
Sometimes health sites link readers to areas where they can buy products, and the referring site profits from the sale. Any advertising on a site should be clearly separated from the content of the page. It should be clear who is sponsoring the site.

Want to know who registered the Web site you are reading? Go to Network Solutions, which registers domain names, and follow their link on the top right of the home page for WHOIS Lookup.

When was the information last updated?
Dates can sometimes be found in the listing provided by the search engine, or should be posted at the beginning or end of the Web page itself. Because medicine changes so rapidly, older information may be dangerously wrong! Know that not all Web sites are properly maintained or updated.

Is this information true, or just telling me something I want to hear?
Use common sense and have realistic expectations about what you read. If something does not sound right, check to see if the information is validated on another site, or talk with your health care provider. The source of the content should be identified as to author or source of information.

How are confidentiality and privacy handled?
Be cautious in giving out personal information, particularly medical information. Take the time to understand how the information you provide will be handled. A site requesting information from you should have policies you can read about how they treat the information you provide. You should not give any personally identifiable information unless you clearly understand how it is to be used.

Should I use this information to self diagnose what's bothering me?
Web sites can be helpful in describing conditions, but this information is not a substitute for seeing your own health care provider. Rather, use the information as a starting point for discussion with your own health care provider so you can ask better questions and make more informed health care decisions.