Jan 27

Take 2 Clicks and Call Doc in the Morning
Sun Review January 27, 2001

If you're looking for health information, the Internet can offer a wealth of resources, but sloshing through page after page to find the best information can be a challenge. How do you determine what is good information, and what is less reliable? Some factors to consider include the author's credentials, date of last modification, references in the form of bibliographic notations or website links to the source data, and a funding and advertisement policy that states plainly how the website is funded. You should evaluate the content that the site is providing, the processes or actions it is suggesting you to take, and the values it seems to be based on before you look any further. And remember that a consultation with your doctor, now that you're armed with the latest medical information, is always recommended before you make any drastic changes to your diet or lifestyle.

The Canadian Health Network (www.canadian-health-network.ca) is Canada's national network of health information providers, giving you easy access to information you can trust from more than 600 organizations across the country. Health Canada's role in the CHN ties in with the federal government's "Info-Structure" strategy to make it easier for consumers to access health information. You can search this website in three ways: a guided search allows you to browse or be guided to resources on that topic, an A-Z subject index allows you to pick specific topics, or you can do a keyword search for more precise searching.

The Canadian Women's Health Network (www.cwhn.ca) aims to offer women valuable online resources, whether it's information on illness, prevention, chronic pain, disabilities or other health topics. New research information generated by the Centres of Excellence for Women's Health is updated frequently, and the CWHN will also post articles, press releases or information sheets from organizations that may not have their own website but are actively involved in women's health. An extensive list of links to other health-related websites makes this a great resource for anyone, male or female.

WebMD (www.webmd.com) is a slick, high profile health information website geared not only to you, the consumer, but also to physicians, office managers and health teachers. Physicians who become members of WebMD gain access to Scientific American Medicine online, daily medical news and even a group practice website. As a personal user of WebMD, you can find medical information on diseases and conditions, drugs, herbs and clinical trials, as well as health and wellness information. If you become a member (by providing your e-mail address and postal code), you can personalize your own WebMD homepage with the links you want, sign up for newsletters, exchange information over the message boards and participate in live events with medical experts and celebrities.

It's important to be able to trust the information you find online, and not just for health-related topics. It's a good idea to consider these factors when you search for any kind of information on the Internet.