Given the wealth of information that is available through the Internet, journals and other sources, it is important to be able to assess its quality. Sometimes this task can be difficult because health information is constantly changing as a result of new research and because there may be different valid approaches to treating particular conditions. Although there is no simple rule to determine the validity of the information you encounter, there are some useful guides that can be used to assess the credibility and accuracy of health information. There are a number of useful criteria to use in evaluating the credibility of the health information. Ideally information in a journal or on the web should have an identifiable source or an author.
Credibility is enhanced if the authors or publishers appear to be professionals in their field.
For example, the credibility of medical information is enhanced if it is provided by a medical professional, such as a physician or a nurse. Information published by a large organization such as a hospital, a university, a government health agency or another entity that brings together medically knowledgeable professionals is generally considered credible. Knowing that a publication has undergone peer review by a panel of professionals in the field can also add to the credibility of the information. When assessing the accuracy of the information, try to determine whether the information is supported by evidence from scientific studies, other data or expert opinion. If you are receiving your information from a medical journal, take note of the size and the type of the study.