connecting with reliable and free open access health information on the internet

Connecting with reliable and free open access health information on the Internet

Pamela HarrisonLiaison Librarian

McGill LibraryFebruary 19, 2014

By the end of this session, you will be able to:Find reliable, free online consumer health information to answer your health and wellness questions

Evaluate information that you find on the web

Access a collection of books at McGill written for consumers on health and wellness topics

What is consumer health information…

… and why use it?

Disclaimer:

Online health information is not a substitute for consulting with a

healthcare professional.

Sources of Reliable Consumer Health Information: Where to begin?

What is your starting when searching for point for online health information?

What is your starting when searching for point for online health information?

Source: Fox, S. & Duggan, M. (2013). “Health Online 2013.” Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media//Files/Reports/PIP_HealthOnline.pdf

Today’s starting point:

McGill Library’s Consumer Health Guide

http://www.mcgill.ca/library/find/subjects/health/consumerhealth

Spotlight 1

http://medlineplus.gov/

Image source: http://medlineplus.gov

Practice Search 1: Medline Plus

You think your headaches might be migraines, and have made an appointment with your doctor. You would like some basic information on migraines before your appointment.

Practice Search 2: Medline Plus

Your doctor has diagnosed you with migraines, and has suggested that you start taking Vitamin D supplements. You would like to know more about the connection between Vitamin D and migraine.

MedlinePlus

Medical Encyclopedia…for basic searches

MedlinePlus Topics… for more detailed

information Over 4,000 entries Over 900 topics

✔Photographs and illustrations

Links to reliable sources on topic

Links to Medical Encyclopedia entries and Medline Plus topics

✔ Links to Medical Encyclopedia entries and Medline Plus topics

✔ Update date ✔ Consistent subheadings

✔ Source information

Spotlight 2

http://summaries.cochrane.org/

Image source: http://summaries.cochrane.org/

Image source: http://summaries.cochrane.org/about-site

Practice Search: Cochrane Summaries

Your friend is thinking of joining a support group for people that want to stop smoking. You want to know whether support groups are proven to help people stop smoking.

Cochrane Summaries … for high-quality evidence

✔ Summary of systematic review

✔ Date of publication

✔Links to related summaries: See✔ “Health topics” ✔“More like this”

Spotlight 3

http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/

Practice Search 1: Healthy Canadians

You heard on the news that there has been a recall of dried eggs. You want to check if the dried eggs you have just bought are affected.

Practice Search 2: Healthy Canadians

You are taking your niece out to go snowshoeing this evening, but are worried about her asthma. Check the air quality in Montreal before deciding whether to go.

Healthy Canadians … for Canadian content

✔Canada-specific information:✔ Product alerts and recalls✔Environmental information (AQHI)

✔ Health information:✔ Healthy eating✔ Parenting✔Safety: at home, outdoors, at work

✔ Date of publication

✔“For more information”: Links to related Government of Canada resources

Other important sites

Santé Montréal Portal: For local health and social services information

Medbroadcast: For drug information

Evaluating health websites: 5Ws

Case study: Canadian Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.ca

• Who is the author?• Individual • Organization • Contact information

• Who is the author citing?

LOOK FOR:•Individual name / credentials•Organizational name•Contact information

•Reference list

• What type of organization is this? • Government• University• Hospital• Non-profit organization

LOOK FOR DOMAINS:• .gov, .gc.ca, .qc.ca• .edu• .org• ca: proceed with caution

mcgill.ca and sickkids.ca vs. health.ca

• When is the information from?

(This is not necessarily the © date.)

LOOK FOR:•Dates•“Updated on”•Dates on cited references

• Where does the author/organization get its funding?

… and how does this affect content?

LOOK FOR:•Sponsors•Partners

•Editorial policy•Editorial independence•Quality guidelines

• Why was the information written?

LOOK FOR:•Mission Statement•Editorial Policy•About Us

•(Medical) Disclaimer

Use your judgment.

If it seems unreal, it probably is.

http://malepregnancy.com/

Additional help

HONcode (Health on the Net Code)

For more information, visit www.hon.ch/

Image source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb11070793.htm

Health information at McGill: The Wendy Patrick CollectionAt the Schulich LibraryAlmost 1300 items: print collection

Closer to another branch? Request a book via our catalog

Questions?

Pamela Harrison

Consumer Health Liaison Librarian

pamela.harrison@mcgill.ca

514-398-6272