Our Commitment to Quality
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Organization and Information Credibility
As you've likely discovered, the Internet is an endless resource for healthcare information. You can research symptoms, learn more about treatment options, compare providers and review quality reports.
Because nearly anyone can publish information online, the Internet is also filled with inaccuracies, conflicting information and questionable experts. These pitfalls make it difficult to obtain the information you need to make good healthcare decisions.
How do you know if a particular organization's Web site is credible and reliable? When you arrive on a site, ask the following questions. If you can answer "yes" to most (or all), the source is probably trustworthy:
- Is it clear who is sponsoring the site?
- Is it easy to determine the organization's mission, goals and motivations?
- Are information sources clearly and correctly cited so they can be verified?
- Is the site easy to understand using clear and error-free language?
- Is the advertising on the site separate from all of the text?
- Does it seem like the organization accepts payment from healthcare organizations for the use of their "stamp of approval"?