Selecting Health Websites
Someone who is looking for a good and trusted healthy websites can find it to be hard. Knowing what to look for can be helpful. Here are some questions to have in mind when looking for a healthy website.
- Who runs the website?
- What does the website promise? Does it sound to good to be true?
- When was the website last updated?
- Where does the information come from?
- How do I know this website is safe?
If you want to know if a website can be trusted, the Medical Library Association has information on what to look for when looking for a website. Here is a list of trusted websites;
Benefits of Health Apps
Many people are looking for ways to get healthy. Most have found this can be done by using their cell phone or tablet. This is done by adding a health app to someones cell phone or tablet and is better way for them to keep better track of their activity.
Here are just a few of the things health apps can do to help- steps/activity
- heart-rate
- sleep
- exercise
- calories
- recipes
- meditation
- periods (menstrual cycle) and many others.
People are afraid to use health apps, they don't know if they are safe or if they help. Health apps are set up to be safe by use of passwords. People will see the help they are getting from using health apps by the way they feel.
Virtual Support Groups
Sometimes people need others to talk to about their problems.They can talk with a group of people at the same time by using their computer. Many times there is a person who knows a lot about the problems and can help the person. Be careful when talking with groups of people.Sometimes these groups are not trusted.
One way to know if a group can be trusted is to ask questions. The group will not ask for any other information besides your first name. If you or someone you love wants to join a group ask your doctor. Your doctor will give you information on the best group for you. Be careful not to give out any information that can bring harm to you or your family.
- ADDA--Attention Deficit Disorder Association is a support group for adults who have ADHD. This group allows adults with ADHD to connect with others as a resource to discuss ideas on how to manage their own ADHD.
- PSI--Postpartum Support International who want to help support women during pregnancy and after giving birth who struggle with depression.
Personal Health Records and Patient Portals
If you have seen a doctor you have personal health records. These records can be given to the person or kept at the doctors office. There are many ways to keep the records safe. People may keep their own personal health records on paper, the computer using a USB Drive or CD-Rom. These records are easy for the person to get and are not as safe.
When the doctor keeps the records it is on a computer system. The doctor can share the records with other doctors and is safer for the person. The person can get their health records through a safe website.
Basic computer information
To know a few thing about the computer will help when looking for health websites. Here are a few things that will be help to know.
Internet Service Providers
A person who is paid to set up internet to the home computer. Modems is a device that helps to bring the internet into the home. Routers a device to help the computer and other devices connect to the internet. Web Browsers Help to use the internet and do things like search, visit sites, print, send and receive emails.
References
Alexander, S., Frith, K.H., & Hoy, H., (2025). Applied Clinical Informatics for Nurses. (1st ed.) Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning
How can you protect and secure health information when using a mobile device? (March 22, 2018) Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/how-can-you-protect-and-secure-health-information-when-using-mobile-device
Rouse, M., (n.d.). Personal health record (PHR). Retrieved from http://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/definition/personal-health-record-PHR
