Patient Guide to the Internet

Patient Guide to the Internet Amy B. is a 25-year-old female. She has been struggling with her weight ever since childhood, and has suffered a number of medical complications throughout her life. The most recent culmination of such problems was a diagnosis of asthma. This is aggravated by a slight allergy to dust and pollen. Amy's physician emphasized the fact that she needs to make a commitment to controlling her weight in order to make handling her asthma in a more proactive way.

He also provided her with literature on asthma, its origins, and how it should be handled. In addition, he gave her various documents to help the weight management issue. Although she has an unfortunate relationship with food, Amy is committed to managing her various conditions and at least making an attempt to control her weight. The day after her visit to the doctor, she asked him for guidance on Internet information on asthma.

She has become accomplished at finding information online in order to manage her other conditions and on creating a healthier lifestyle for herself. After asking her several questions on her experience with the Internet, the physician estimated that she only needed examples and guidelines on how to evaluate medical information online. He therefore emailed her a copy of the guidelines for searching for health information online.

With this, he also provided basic search engines, as well as a copy of one reliable and one suspicious Website, each containing information on asthma and its management. Appropriate Website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html The MedlinePlus site is maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Its last dates of update and review are both within a year and stated clearly at the bottom of the site.

It has many links to relevant information, also provided by clearly stated health officials such as the American Lung Association and the National Center for Health Statistics. There is also relevant information for specific sectors of society such as women and seniors. The MedlinePlus Magazine includes several links to asthma information. The bottom of the page includes links that contain information such as disclaimers, copyright, and privacy information. It also contains links that provide information on the contributors of information to the Website.

The privacy statement clearly provides visitors and subscribers with the assurance that their information will not be shared. All the information on the site is therefore provided on the basis of full disclosure, both of the information itself and on information providers. This Website is therefore very reliable, and also includes information on a myriad of other health topics, which will be helpful for Amy if she wants more information on her other conditions as well.

Suspicious Website: http://www.asthmaanswersonline.com/cures-asthma/ This Website indicates that asthma can in fact be cured. Prominently displayed at the top of the site is a book cover with the title "Kiss Your Asthma Goodbye." The caption indicates that it is a "fabulous bargain" with "empowering information." The opening sentence of the Website directly refutes the medical community, which.