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How to find Medical Information you can trust on the Internet

If you are searching for health and medical information on the Internet, you may find the number of sites or the amount of information overwhelming. Because it can be difficult to judge the accuracy of information on the Web, don't believe everything you read online.

For information on conditions relating to bones, joints or muscles, ask your orthopaedist to recommend a quality Web site. One such site is Your Orthopaedic Connection (www.OrthoInfo.org), the patient education Web site of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Also ask if your doctor has his or her own Web site that you can access.

The following tips from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases can also help you find quality health information online:

Compare information you find on the Internet with other resources, such as medical textbooks, medical journals or information from recognized health organizations such as the National Osteoporosis Foundation or the Arthritis Foundation.

Check credentials of the author or organization, which should be clearly displayed on the Web site. Be wary of personal testimonies, which are based on one person's experience rather than objective facts or proven medical research. Also be cautious about using information from online bulletin boards or chat sessions.

Be Cautious of Web sites that advertise and sell products that claim to improve your health. If the Web site is promoting a product or service, the information may be slanted to the use of that product or service. Some reliable Web sites that provide health information include those of government agencies, health foundations or associations and medical colleges. Check the posting date, as information changes rapidly in health care, old information may no longer be current.

Talk with Your doctor about the information you find on the Internet. This is especially important if you find information or advice that seems to contradict what your doctor told you.