Finding the Right Online Source for Your Health Needs

Where to Go for Online Health Information

You have a question about your health; maybe you noticed a new symptom, want to learn more about a recent diagnosis, or just need directions to the nearest clinic.

Your first bet is probably to head to the internet, but with so much health information available online, it’s not always easy to know which channel is the right channel.

First action should always be to contact your care team, but here’s how you can use popular online sources to support your health and wellbeing.

Use Social Media for Peer Support, Practice Updates and Health News

Your first instinct might be to check social media, and for some health queries, that can be helpful to a certain extent.

If you’ve ever been diagnosed with an uncommon condition, you know how isolating it can be. Social media lets you connect with others who have had similar experiences – even those halfway around the world. Online communities are great for finding inspiration, receiving support, and knowing that you’re not alone in your health challenges and journey.

Social media is also a good place to go for practice updates, like holiday hours and closures, which can be helpful when making appointments, planning your care, and knowing where there are off-hour care options should the need arise.

Staying on top of medical news and health care current events, which is often shared to social media before anywhere else, can give you important insights that may inform insurance coverage, screening and diagnostic options, medication and treatment implications, and other care-related impacts.

Always be alert when browsing social media. Stick to trustworthy sources, and use your best judgment.

Health Websites Are Best for Deep Dives

For more in-depth information that might be helpful when making health-related decisions, reputable websites from well-established medical organizations and societies are better bets than general social media.

Health websites tend to be best for the following:

• Clinical guidelines and standards
• Claims reinforced by data and research
• Deeper exploration of core medical concepts
• Detailed understanding of risk factors
• Information about available treatment options

This information also tends to be easier to verify – often hosted by organizations, you’re more likely to find detailed authorship information (including name, practice and credentials), source citations and conflict-of-interest disclosures.

Again, it’s important to remain vigilant and discerning even with health websites. If you’re unfamiliar with the organization or can’t verify its information, it’s best to read with caution.

AI Can Be Useful for Basic Queries, like Preparing for Your Health Visit

More than one fifth of Americans have used AI to seek health advice, according to the Cleveland Clinic, but as an emerging technology, it’s best to avoid overreliance on chatbots. Its tendency to “hallucinate,” pluck from disreputable sources and prioritize reassurance over hard truth-telling can make it questionable, especially for something as sensitive as your care.

But that doesn’t mean it’s all bad – its ability to synthesize data, help you learn about your symptoms and generate questions to ask your care team can give AI an appropriate role in your care. This is especially the case for the growing number of chatbots that are trained on the latest medical research.

Regardless of where you get your health information, the internet should never replace your care provider. Make sure to talk to your care team first before making major decisions about your health.