1. How to find health information online
Francesca Frati, librarian Arlene Greenberg, librarian
Jacynthe Touchette, librarian
Patient Information Specialists
November

2. Agenda Why being informed is important
How to evaluate consumer health information
Overview of selected websites
Resources at the JGH

3. 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

4. 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.”
Studies have shown that…..and informed patient is empowered and more in control of the situation.
They are less anxious and more ready to act as a partner with their health practitioner.
1. Coulter A, Ellins J. Effectiveness of strategies for informing, educating, and involving patients. BMJ  2007;335: Available from

5. In a nutshell…
The hospital has Patient Safety Week from Oct. 31st-Nov. 4th. Booths are set up for patient safety awareness and what
The hospital is doing in this area. For eg. PFRC

6. 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

7. Evaluating health information
Websites and blogs
In the news
What to look for when you see something on a website, blog or in the news!!

8. It is easy to navigate the website.
*or blogs
It is easy to navigate the website.
All the links work.
There is a copyright.
Woodbury, Jeff. New York City: SPAT Artist, 2003.

9. You can tell who created the website. .edu .gov .org
*or blogs
You can tell who created the website.
.edu
.gov
.org
You can contact the authors.
The authors provide their credentials.
Transparency

10. 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

11. Evaluating web pages
Created in 1995, HON is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, accredited to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

12. You can tell who the information is meant for.
*or blogs
You can tell who the information is meant for.
It is easy for you to read and understand the information.

13. Which is the most important factor in determining health outcomes?
Socioeconomic status
Age/sex
Literacy/ Health literacy
Culture
Level of education
It might be surprising to know that the most important factor …….is Literacy….
Information should be written at a Grade 6 level for easy comprehension.

14. You can see when the page was last updated.
*or blogs
The information
is current
(the date is included).
You can see when the page was last updated.

15. If you answered to all, yes Even if you can trust this trust
*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
yes
trust
always ask your doctor for advice.

16. Evaluating the news Does the story include references?
Are these references authoritative?
Which study?
Journal name?
Author?
Date?
What kind of study?

17. Overview of online consumer health resources
The next couple of slides will give examples of the kinds of information you can find on the web

18. Cancer Canadian Cancer Society www.cancer.ca
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute

19. French Cancer CiSMeF-patients cancérologie www.chu-rouen.fr
Passeportsanté
Info Cancer
Fondation québécoise du cancer

20. General interest (and also cancer)
Medline Plus
Mayo Clinic
Family Doctor

21. Complementary and Alternative
BC Cancer Agency
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Health Canada – Licensed Natural Health Products Database
Natural Standard

22. 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

23. Dictionaries/encyclopedias
MedlinePlus English
HONselect Multiple
Terminologie CISMeF English<>French
Canadian cancer encyclopedia
Bilingual

24. Patient and Family Resource Centre (PFRC)

26. JGH.ca/PFRC

27. Search the PEN collection

29. You may be referred to us…*
We encourage JGH Healthcare Staff to refer their patients to us by using the InfoRx form.
*Medical Advice not included

30. 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.

31. Thank you! Questions?