Evaluation criteria for Internet health websites

Australia’s HealthInsite (http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/) recommends the following questions, which may help you to decide if health information on the Internet is of good quality¹:

1. Why was it created (purpose)?

• does the site state why it was developed?
• who developed the site? Can you find any apparent bias or conflict?
• who is it aimed at and pitched for - health professionals, general public, young people, children, etc

2. Who is responsible for the information (authority)?

• is it clearly stated who is responsible for the information content?
• what are the author's qualifications and can they be verified?
• are there contact details such as email, postal details, phone numbers, including toll free? Is feedback and interaction encouraged?
• is the publisher a reputable one?
• does the site provide details of the quality assurance process used to ensure that information on the site meets a high standard?
• what are the qualifications of the authors and people who approve information for the site?
• do the producers of the site have a commercial interest, eg companies often have good information but only about their products?
• is information provided on the site's privacy policies and are there appropriate disclaimers?

3. Is the subject coverage complete and in-depth?

• does it include links to other reputable sites?
• for diseases or conditions, does it indicate:
  • the causes
  • how to prevent it
  • how to recognise it
  • how it is diagnosed
  • treatments/procedures (and alternatives)
  • after care and quality of life issues associated with the disease or condition
• does it provide balanced and unbiased information without being opinionated?
• does it have good coverage of topics?
• is it clear what sources of information were used to develop the page/study/publication?
• how extensive is the coverage?
• for information on treatments, does it cover:
  • how treatments work
  • what are their benefits and risks
  • what are the effects on quality of life, and
  • what is the likely effect of non-treatment?
  • are there alternatives for obtaining the information, such as phoning or having reports posted to you?
• is there help available, either by instructions on the site or via email?

4. Is the information up-to-date?

• how often is the site updated?
• is the date clearly visible?
• are there other features to indicate that information is kept up-to-date?
• is all of this information clear and easy to understand?

5. How easy is the site to use?

• is it easy to navigate the site and find information?
• is it carefully laid out and are there any additional features such as images to enhance the information?
• is it easy to know where you are in the site and to find additional information on the topic?

In addition to these criteria, you should ask:

• Is the information Canadian?
  • Is it true of Canada and of the Canadian health care system?
  • For medication information, does it use the same names and dosage information as we do in Canada? (Note: American sites do not.
  • American information is easier to find, but the US uses different names, measurement systems and health care approaches. With health information, this can be dangerously misleading.

Where can you find evaluation criteria?

You can find more health website evaluation criteria in our article files under Website evaluation criteria (health).

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Footnotes

1. Source: HealthInsite “How to Assess Health Information Online”. Available at [http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/How_to_Assess_Health_Information_Online]. Last displayed April 3, 2008. Copyright: The copyright for the text in points 1 to 5 of this section is held wholly by Australia’s HealthInsite.