Web Critique: WebMD Essay

Education of patients and families regarding the reliability of internet information is prudent. Given the enormous amount of information available via the World Wide Web, not all of which, as you illustrate, is reliable, it is of great importance that patients and families comprehend the unreliability of some of the information they may acquire. Patients who are unable to gain access to health care secondary to a lack of funds, insurance, or availability of their provider, may be inclined to review their symptoms utilizing a search engine. Moreover, patients who were incapable of accessing healthcare due to reasons other than a lack of insurance are more likely to utilize the internet to obtain health related

MHN website navigation is user friendly with headings at the top of the web pages that are identical on every page. The font utilized is clear, easy to read, and not strenuous on the eyes. All links in headings are operational and link phrases are clearly described to target page. MHN security link states commitment to ensuring user privacy and that any information collected is used only in accordance to the November 2012 policy (Men’s Health Network, 2014). MHN informs that the website will request permission to place “cookies” on user’s computer. The term “cookie” is defined and gives the user informed consent. MHN clearly states that clicking links to partnerships and outside sources link takes the user away from MHN site and states, “we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement.” (Men’s Health Network, 2014).

The information contained on this website or through other linkages to other sites is for general medical purposes only, it is not created to give professional diagnosis, treatments, medical guidance, opinion or any facilities to you or other individual. Medical information changes continuously, therefore the information may at any time, be outdated and may contain inaccuracies or errors. The company will not be responsible to you or anyone else for any result made or taken by you or anyone else over the information given through company’s web content, dependence on any information given on this site or any linked websites is exclusively at your own risk.

I will compare the information available from two major online medical resources to see what type of audience they are targeting and how the information is communicated. The topic that I will be chosen is diabetes. The websites that I will be getting my sources are from Medicinenet (http://www.medicinenet.com/diabetes_mellitus/article.htm) and the CDC centers for disease control and prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/home/index.html).

Please list the references and clinical resources that you use in your review of this document. These references should support any clinical or extensive revisions or additions that you make. Aside from known common best practices, references are required. We reserve the right to request additional references. References and resources used:

WebMD.com is a organization that provides credible timely information for its consumers that matter the most. Doctors Micheal Smith, MD MBA, CPT (Chief Medical Editor ) Brunilda Nazario, MD, BC-ADM (lead medical Editor), Hansa Bhargava, MD (Medical Editor) Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH (Medical Editor) Works Closely with a team of over 100 nationwide doctors and health experts across a broad range of speciality areas to ensure WebMD's content is up to date according to WebMD's policies. WebMD's selection criteria is more reliable because it is based on Relevance, Clinical Significance, and seasonal interests. Its relevancy ranges from important ranging topics

The objective of this study is to identify and evaluate a health-related website within the domain indicated as heart.org or heart.gov. This study will provide empirical evidence to support the website as a credible source for inclusion in a scholarly assignment.

Since consumers are becoming more involved with their healthcare decisions, organizations and providers must adapt to consumer requisites and utilize independent resources to ensure the viability of their businesses. In 2008, a study reported that 81% of internet users and 66% of adults utilized online health information as a source for health related issues (Ha & Yun, 2011). Some examples of online health information resources comprised of search engines, organizational websites, and governmental agencies that participate in health related issues (Ha & Yun, 2011). By accessing health related information, consumers empower themselves with knowledge to assist in healthcare decisions and wellness management (Ha & Yun, 2011). As a result of consumers becoming better educated about healthcare, administrators must explore internet resources in order to maintain quality and services that is expected by consumers, and maintain the reputation of the organization.

This article was published by Science Based Medicine; the website does not list any accreditations. However, all editors and contributors have minimum of a MD. The website provides easily obtainable contact information for the website but no information for the author.

The author of the article is Walsh, Timothy who has an MD a graduate of Princeton University and of Harvard Medical School. The article was originally published at an organizational site called the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in 1998. The web site was last update on February 24, 2016. The information on the article seems accurate and reliable although sometimes on organizational sites the information is biased toward the

Determining the credibility of a website starts with tools that can be used to evaluate the site. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) offers information defining how to evaluate websites credibility. Key factors such as; “Who runs and pays for the website, what the website’s purpose is, Where did the information on the site come from and how is

The information provided on this site is factual and can be used to educate the population. This web page is open to the public for viewing. I enjoy learning new information from this site to share with my students and patients.

Web sites are just like magazines, newspapers, brochures, menus, or even directions on how to make nitroglycerin from house-hold goods, in that they all have to be put together in such a manner that whoever is reading or browsing over it will be able to clearly distinguish this from that. In this sense, a critique of any particular web site will have justification, while carefully considering also that this is an altogether new medium of information exchange. Now, all of this talk of togetherness is actually a general reference to basic design principles, such as color coordination, if color is used, text size, font choice/ style, art integration, accessibility, and just plain and simple design of the page. For

More so, the usage of the Internet and other global media has expanded the ability of patients to have access to an enormous amount of information about diseased previously thought “too technical” requiring government policy that sought to limit the control and influence of physicians.

This type of information may be found on websites such as Web MD http://webmd.com, Medline http://medlineplus.gov/, or Health Finder http://www.healthfinder.gov/. An individual can utilize the information found on the previous pages to help determine if they should seek further care from their physician. It is important to note that health information found on these pages is no substitute for a thorough visit and diagnosis from a licensed physician, as stated in a typical medical information page disclaimer: “Do not rely upon any of the information provided on this site for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your primary health care provider about any personal health concerns.[4] People can also find information on personal fitness (diet and exercise programs), and mental health activities.