Searching for health information?
Here's some tips and tools to evaluate your way through the information jungle and link to better information
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| Daintree rainforest, north east Queensland |
Families and sharing information
As consumers and healthcare professionals partner in care, health information is shared. Families living with chronic illness, complex health conditions and rare diseases are often experts in their child's condition. Sharing helpful information and professional-consumer communication is the focus of our blog "K is for knowledge + patient".Consumer health information in Australia
Australians search for free, reliable information at HealthDirect (supported by state and Federal governments). The focus is on safe, practical information, including an A-Z of health topics, medicines, symptom checker and service finder. Facts or fiction? has consumer tips on seeking trustworthy online information. Don't want to read... there’s a helpline to speak to a registered nurse, 24/7 and healthdirect app, which is also free.
Evaluating health information - USA
Go to MedlinePlus, (the world’s largest medical library), or view a video tutorial (from USA National Library of Medicine) for more information. See also, Finding and evaluating online resources, 5 quick questions on social media resources (USA National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).
Do you want to Trust it or Trash it? This quality assessment toolbox was created by Access To Credible Genetics (ATCG) Resource Network. There is also a developer toolbox for creating educational resources. MLA, the Medical Library Association, offers find good health information and top health websites.
Do you want to Trust it or Trash it? This quality assessment toolbox was created by Access To Credible Genetics (ATCG) Resource Network. There is also a developer toolbox for creating educational resources. MLA, the Medical Library Association, offers find good health information and top health websites.
Evaluating health information - United Nations and Europe
Health on the Net Foundation (HON), created the HON code, search, tools and topics for reliable information. The code provides a stamp of approval, good websites can approach HON to see if they are up to scratch. Now 20 years old, this NGO is accredited to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Look for the HON code on Australian websites too, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
A useful website? European Commission has a quick checklist for useful websites, with pointers about whether a site is user focused.
A useful website? European Commission has a quick checklist for useful websites, with pointers about whether a site is user focused.
Communication between families and health professionals
Access to reliable information should help families and healthcare professionals communicate and make decisions. The ability to ask questions about suggested treatments and procedures is important. Choose Wisely Australia, is an initiative from NPS MedicineWise. Look for 5 questions to ask your doctor.Questioning quality of information
When searching for information, ask questions about information quality and avoid making assumptions. For example, an "expert" author may write about a topic they know well and also about other topics they know less about. Are we likely to rely on both equally, the topic the "expert" knows less about may not be as reliable. Look beyond, politics, fashion etc. and at strengths and weaknesses of information.
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| The Knowledgeable patient: communication and participation in health. Edited by Sophie Hill available at AWCH library 613 HIL 1 |
Infographics
Infographics are now used more often because combining images together with health information can be very powerful. Complex health messages are shared more easily and quickly. Health information is communicated across cultures, age groups and literacy levels.
Organisations and government bodies create infographics, apps and digital technology to promote health information. Reliable information, based on children, young people and family needs, must under-pin any user-friendly format. How can children and young people be involved in creating something that makes sense to them? Investing in Children is one organisation that created films to celebrate their work on child rights and services based on the needs of children and young people.
Linking people + digital information
Whether searching via google scholar, government websites or databases (via libraries or health portals), journeying through the "information jungle" is challenging. Healthcare professionals and consumers link in the lookout for helpful information for healthier lives.
Health literacy
Health literacy refers to the ability individuals and communities have to engage with information and services. Visit the OpHeLia project, Deakin University, for information on health literacy.
Meaningful information is not just something we locate. Useful information is developed when individuals and community are involved and real needs are identified.
The Australian Digital Health Agency has conducted a survey to find out how Australians engage with digital services and access information to improve their health and wellbeing. The National Digital Health Strategy is underway. Emphasis is placed on families and individuals, with the slogan "Your health. Your say."
Consumer Health Forum highlights the value of health literacy in their submission on the National Digital Health Strategy. People need to find, understand and use health-related information and services, to make good decisions about their health. Find out more in their "response to questions for healthcare consumers, carers and families", p 6.
Join the Australian digital health access conversation!
Jillian Rattray
AWCH librarian
