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Some advice if you are seeking health information on the web

People often use the Internet to search for information about health issues of concern to them.
We know as GPs that people have found all sorts of health advice from all sorts of sources on the web.

How can you be sure that what you are reading is valid?

That is to say, is it accurately represented? Does it represent the view of a respected group of health professionals? And is it relevant to the health community in which we are working here?

Medcircle  ( www.medcircle.org )  provide the following advice.

“People who use the Internet should be able to judge for themselves that the visited site is trustworthy and that the information is credible. The following key issues should be taken into account when assessing the quality of Internet information and health websites:

• Who owns the site or has significant financial interest in the site or service
• What is the purpose of the website (e.g., whether it is solely educational, sells health products or services, or offers personal medical care or advice)?
• Who are the authors of the information and what is their qualification?
• What evidence is the information based on? Is it clearly indicated, whether the information is based on scientific studies, expert consensus, or professional or personal experience or opinion? What sources have been used to produce the content?
• Does the site provide content which presents all reasonable sides in a fair and balanced way?
• When was the content published and how frequently is the information updated?

The Quick website has a fun way of explaining the issues involved - www.quick.org.uk/menu.htm

The Health on the Net Foundation provides one of the most widely-known codes of conduct to which websites can claim to adhere. They are Swiss, so visit them at www.hon.ch to see their portal.

Use the links below to find useful web sites

General advice on services

http://www.nhs.uk/england/default.aspx

http://www.patients-association.org.uk/

http://blood.co.uk/

http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm

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General advice on health

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/

http://www.surgerydoor.co.uk/

http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/

http://www.fpa.org.uk/ (Family Planning)

http://www.who.int/en/ (World Health Organisation)

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Problems affecting older people

http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

http://www.nos.org.uk/ (National Osteoporosis Society)

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Maternity

http://www.nice.org.uk/pdf/CG6_ANTENATAL_CARE_A5.pdf (Guidance from NICE)

http://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/

http://www.apni.org/ (Association for Post natal illness)

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Families & relationships

http://www.gingerbread.org.uk/ (Lone parent advice)

http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/

http://www.relate.org.uk/

http://www.childline.org.uk/

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Cancer

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/Home

http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Home

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/

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Mental Health

http://www.samaritans.org.uk/

http://www.livinglifetothefull.com  (Free self help for mild/moderate anxiety/depression).

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au  (Free self help for mild/moderate anxiety/depression).

http://www.mind.org.uk/

http://www.edauk.com/ (Eating Disorders Association)

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Alcohol & substance abuse

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

http://www.talktofrank.com/

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Abuse & victim support

http://www.childline.org.uk/

http://www.rapecrisis.org.uk/

http://www.victimsupport.org/

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HIV & AIDS

http://www.avert.org/

http://www.nat.org.uk/

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Travel

http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/

http://www.fco.gov.uk/ (Foreign Office's travel advice)

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Hearing & sight impairment

http://www.rnid.org.uk/ (Royal National Institute for Deaf)

http://www.rnib.org.uk (Royal National Institute for Blind)

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Common diseases

http://www.backcare.org.uk/

http://www.bhf.org.uk/ (British Heart Foundation)

http://www.heartuk.org.uk/

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/

http://www.ibsnetwork.org.uk/ (Irritable Bowel Syndrome Network)

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