ONLINE MEDICAL ARTICLES

How Reliable Are Online Medical Articles?

The vast increase of technology has made easy access to health information available on the internet. In this age, information is easily accessible and exchanged within seconds. The medical fraternity has indeed gained much from the world of technology. The internet has become a significant source of medical articles, journals, books, websites, brochures, and many more. Openly one may be wrong to think that the medical information is only limited to doctors, nurses, practitioners, and the list goes on. A layperson can quickly obtain the latest diseases, medical terms, etc., and increase knowledge in the medical field.

Although there has been a challenge of malicious medical websites becoming a big concern, many people who are not proficient have been misusing the online arena by floating unethical and wrong medical articles. It may lead to misinterpretation of online medical information.

The question that arises is, how can one know if the medical article available online is reliable. The people who love and support traditional books, journals, and articles feel that the internet has stained the image and legitimacy of medical articles. Nowadays, it's straightforward for individuals to create and publish their findings in any online journal. These individuals lack knowledge on how to use medical books for reference.

Most people don't know that articles and journals can be interfered with, either physically or electronically. One has to be careful and make a wise decision when selecting the articles to use. It is hard to avoid online medical articles since they have become a big source of information. You can find reliable online medical articles on authenticated websites. This website releases them frequently, and individuals researching the medical field rely significantly on these articles.

When looking for medical articles online, below are some of the questions one ought to ask,

to know whether the information is reliable or not

The source of the information

In most cases, authors and contributors are not mentioned but not always. But if the author is listed, find out –if the person is an expert in the field? Is he an employee of that organization, and what are the objectives of that organization? What is the author's connection to the website and financial stake has regarding the information on the website, should be open.

Have healthcare professionals reviewed the medical articles? Reliable websites will give the source of their medical information how and when it was reviewed. Dependable websites provide contact information that can help reach the site's author. You will find out about us at the bottom of every page or on a separate page or contact us.

There is a big difference between websites, blogs, and social media pages. A website is created using scientific evidence, while a blog is created by an individual interested in a particular topic.

When the article was published

Search for websites that are updated with the current medical information. You can not rely on outdated articles; you may end up making the wrong decision. Regularly the date is posted at the bottom of the page. Some pages are updated more frequently than others. It Does not mean that old articles are unnecessary, but using the current-based articles is best.

The purpose for creating the site.

The reason for creating the site or the website will help you judge its content. Is the site for advertising or trying to inform or explain something? You choose an article based on scientific evidence, not on individual opinion.

The privacy of the user

The website should clearly state privacy policy. Go through the website privacy policy at the bottom of the page. If the website asks you to use "cookies," your information may not be secure. However, the cookies may enhance your web information.

You can disable their use of them through your internet browser setting. Take caution on the websites that ask for personal information, and share your private details without your permission.

Good control measures

The site you open should have an editorial board. Professionals should review the information before posting. This information should be available on the page "about us."

Conclusion

About online medical articles, it's good to remember that not every article is reliable. Some articles may be accurate, and others may be misleading. A post from a friend or colleague does not necessarily mean it's scientifically correct. Check the source of the articles and make sure the author is credible. It would help if you considered the above factors when selecting the article to use.