Keeping up with the well- informed patient: locating childhood cancer information on the Internet Ruti Volk, M.S.I. Program Coordinator Patient Education Resource Center Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Michigan

Outline: Outline: Introduction Introduction Netscape for beginners Netscape for beginners Evaluating Internet Resources Evaluating Internet Resources Recommended sites Recommended sites

Netscape for beginners Click on the start button Click on the start button Fire-up Netscape Fire-up Netscape Type URL: Type URL:

Components of the Internet: World Wide Web: sites and pages World Wide Web: sites and pages Listservs - via messages relating to a particular topic distributed to subscribers. Listservs - via messages relating to a particular topic distributed to subscribers. Chats - people logged in to the internet at the same time send each other messages in real time. Chats - people logged in to the internet at the same time send each other messages in real time.

Evaluating Internet information: Why? It’s very easy to publish information on the internet It’s very easy to publish information on the internet Information may be biased Information may be biased It’s a free world: no quality control It’s a free world: no quality control Check credentials Check credentials

Evaluating Internet information: How? Check URL Check URL –.com –.org –.edu –.gov Read the “about us” “who are we” section Read the “about us” “who are we” section Stick by government or universities run sites. Medical associations and hospitals are also credible sources. Stick by government or universities run sites. Medical associations and hospitals are also credible sources.

Evaluating Internet information: How? - additional considerations: Price Price Timeliness: when was the information last revised Timeliness: when was the information last revised Look and feel, easiness of use and navigation Look and feel, easiness of use and navigation HON (Health on the Net Foundation ) - self-regulation by content providers. HON (Health on the Net Foundation ) - self-regulation by content providers.

Recommended Sites: General Cancer American Cancer Society site American Cancer Society site American Cancer Society site American Cancer Society site CancerNet --National Cancer Institute CancerNet --National Cancer Institute CancerNet MEDLINEplus -- Consumer health web- directory maintained by NLM MEDLINEplus -- Consumer health web- directory maintained by NLM MEDLINEplus MEDLINEplus

Recommended Sites: Childhood Cancer PED-ONC Resource Center -- Provided by parents of children with cancer onc/main.html PED-ONC Resource Center -- Provided by parents of children with cancer onc/main.html PED-ONC Resource Center PED-ONC Resource Center This Battle Which I must Fight -- Health Canada children/toc_e.html This Battle Which I must Fight -- Health Canada children/toc_e.html This Battle Which I must Fight This Battle Which I must Fight