How to find health information online Francesca Frati, librarian Arlene Greenberg, librarian Jacynthe Touchette, librarian Patient Information Specialists November
Agenda 1.Why being informed is important 2.How to evaluate consumer health information 3.Overview of selected websites 4.Resources at the JGH
Why do you look for health information? Shared-decision making To understand information received from your health professional To participate in your health To be partners with your care To make informed decisions
Why your health professional wants you to be informed Patient-centred care: An informed patient is an empowered patient, better able to act as partner with his or her health professional (HP) with the goal of achieving improved health outcomes. “shared or informed decision making, evidence based patient choice, or concordance.” 1. Coulter A, Ellins J. Effectiveness of strategies for informing, educating, and involving patients. BMJ 2007;335: Available from
In a nutshell…
Why look online? Accessible 24/7 from home/library Free and fast Relatively up-to-date Easily check multiple sources Interactive Community: support groups and blogs
Evaluating health information Websites and blogs In the news
It is easy to navigate the website. All the links work. There is a copyright. *or blogs Woodbury, Jeff. New York City: SPAT Artist, 2003.
You can tell who created the website..edu.gov.org You can contact the authors. The authors provide their credentials. *or blogs
The authors are not selling something. This symbol: is on the page. You can verify the information. You can see where the information came from. *or blogs
Created in 1995, HON is a non-profit, non- governmental organization, accredited to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Evaluating web pages
You can tell who the information is meant for. It is easy for you to read and understand the information. *or blogs
a) Socioeconomic status b) Age/sex c) Literacy/ Health literacy d) Culture e) Level of education Which is the most important factor in determining health outcomes?
The information is current (the date is included). You can see when the page was last updated. *or blogs
If you answered to all, or most of, these questions then you can probably the information you are getting. Even if you can trust this information you should *or blogs yes trust always ask your doctor for advice.
Evaluating the news Does the story include references? Are these references authoritative? –Which study? Journal name? Author? Date? –What kind of study?
Overview of online consumer health resources
Cancer Canadian Cancer Society American Cancer Society National Cancer Institute
French Cancer CiSMeF-patients cancérologie Passeportsanté Info Cancer Fondation québécoise du cancer
Medline Plus Mayo Clinic Family Doctor General interest (and also cancer)
Complementary and Alternative BC Cancer Agency National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Health Canada – Licensed Natural Health Products Database bdpsnh-eng.php bdpsnh-eng.php Natural Standard
Free medical research sites PubMed Clinical Trials Google Scholar NB Not all indexed articles are free- we can provide access to the full text at the PFRC
Dictionaries/encyclopedias MedlinePlus English HONselect Multiple Terminologie CISMeF English<>French Canadian cancer encyclopedia Bilingual
Patient and Family Resource Centre (PFRC)PFRC
JGH.ca/PFRC
Search the PEN collection
You may be referred to us… * Medical Advice not included *
PFRC Disclaimer This information should not be considered as medical advice. It is not to be used in place of a visit with a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional. If you have questions about your individual medical situation, please consult with your healthcare professional.
Thank you! Questions?