This document provides an overview of reliable sources for free online consumer health information. It discusses MedlinePlus, Cochrane Summaries, and Healthy Canadians as starting points for basic health questions, evidence-based research, and Canada-specific content. The document also reviews best practices for evaluating health websites using the 5Ws model and provides the example of the Canadian Cancer Society website. Contact information is provided for the McGill Library's consumer health collection and liaison librarian.

1. Connecting with reliable and
free open access health
information on the Internet
Pamela Harrison
Liaison Librarian
McGill Library
February 19, 2014

2. By the end of this session, you will
be able to:
Find reliable, free online consumer
health information to answer your
health and wellness questions
Evaluate information that you find on
the web
Access a collection of books at
McGill written for consumers on
health and wellness topics

3. What is consumer health information…
… and why use it?

4. Disclaimer:
Online health information is not a
substitute for consulting with a
healthcare professional.

5. Sources of Reliable Consumer
Health Information: Where to
begin?

6. What is your starting when searching
for point for online health information?

7. What is your starting when searching
for point for online health information?
Source: Fox, S. & Duggan, M. (2013). “Health Online 2013.” Pew Research
Center, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-
media//Files/Reports/PIP_HealthOnline.pdf

8. Today’s starting point:
McGill Library’s Consumer Health
Guide
http://www.mcgill.ca/library/find/su
bjects/health/consumerhealth

9. Spotlight 1
http://medlineplus.gov/
Image source: http://medlineplus.gov

10. Practice Search 1: Medline Plus
You think your headaches might
be migraines, and have made an
appointment with your doctor. You
would like some basic information
on migraines before your
appointment.

11. Practice Search 2: Medline Plus
Your doctor has diagnosed you
with migraines, and has suggested
that you start taking Vitamin D
supplements. You would like to
know more about the connection
between Vitamin D and migraine.

12. MedlinePlus
Medical Encyclopedia
…for basic searches
MedlinePlus Topics
… for more detailed
information
Over 4,000 entries Over 900 topics
✔Photographs and
illustrations
Links to reliable sources
on topic
Links to Medical
Encyclopedia entries and
Medline Plus topics
✔ Links to Medical
Encyclopedia entries and
Medline Plus topics
✔ Update date ✔ Consistent subheadings
✔ Source information

13. Spotlight 2
http://summaries.cochrane.org/
Image source: http://summaries.cochrane.org/

14. Image source: http://summaries.cochrane.org/about-site

15. Practice Search: Cochrane
Summaries
Your friend is thinking of joining a
support group for people that want
to stop smoking. You want to know
whether support groups are proven
to help people stop smoking.

16. Cochrane Summaries
… for high-quality evidence
✔ Summary of systematic review
✔ Date of publication
✔ Links to related summaries: See
✔ “Health topics”
✔ “More like this”

17. Spotlight 3
http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/

18. Practice Search 1: Healthy
Canadians
You heard on the news that there
has been a recall of dried eggs.
You want to check if the dried eggs
you have just bought are affected.

19. Practice Search 2: Healthy
Canadians
You are taking your niece out to go
snowshoeing this evening, but are
worried about her asthma. Check
the air quality in Montreal before
deciding whether to go.

20. Healthy Canadians
… for Canadian content
✔ Canada-specific information:
✔ Product alerts and recalls
✔ Environmental information (AQHI)
✔ Health information:
✔ Healthy eating
✔ Parenting
✔ Safety: at home, outdoors, at work
✔ Date of publication
✔ “For more information”: Links to related
Government of Canada resources

21. Other important sites
Santé Montréal Portal: For local
health and social services
information
Medbroadcast: For drug
information

22. Evaluating health websites:
5Ws
Case study: Canadian
Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca

23. • Who is the author?
• Individual
• Organization
• Contact information
• Who is the author citing?
LOOK FOR:
•Individual name / credentials
•Organizational name
•Contact information
•Reference list

24. • What type of organization is
this?
• Government
• University
• Hospital
• Non-profit organization
LOOK FOR DOMAINS:
• .gov, .gc.ca, .qc.ca
• .edu
• .org
• ca: proceed with caution
mcgill.ca and sickkids.ca
vs. health.ca

25. • When is the information
from?
(This is not necessarily the © date.)
LOOK FOR:
•Dates
•“Updated on”
•Dates on cited references

26. • Where does the
author/organization get its
funding?
… and how does this affect
content?
LOOK FOR:
•Sponsors
•Partners
•Editorial policy
•Editorial independence
•Quality guidelines

27. • Why was the information
written?
LOOK FOR:
•Mission Statement
•Editorial Policy
•About Us
•(Medical) Disclaimer

28. Use your judgment.
If it seems unreal, it probably is.
http://malepregnancy.com/

29. Additional help
HONcode (Health on the Net Code)
For more information, visit
www.hon.ch/
Image source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb11070793.htm

30. Health information at McGill: The
Wendy Patrick Collection
At the Schulich Library
Almost 1300 items: print
collection
Closer to another branch?
Request a book via our catalog

31. Questions?
Pamela Harrison
Consumer Health Liaison Librarian
pamela.harrison@mcgill.ca
514-398-6272