This paper presents a practical framework for evaluating health information websites, specifically tailored to newly diagnosed diabetes patients. Using the 5Cs evaluation tool—credibility, currency, content, construction, and clarity—the paper provides systematic guidance for assessing website reliability and appropriateness. Each criterion is explained with key questions patients and healthcare providers should consider when reviewing online diabetes resources. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for trustworthy diabetes websites (such as those from the National Institutes of Health and American Diabetes Association) and cautions against unreliable sources promoting unproven supplements and biased nutritional claims.
As more people use the Internet to access health information, nurses need to become skilled in systematically reviewing websites so that they can guide patients to the most appropriate sites. The 5Cs website evaluation tool provides a structured guide to such evaluation, offering tips and suggesting key considerations for assessing online health resources.
The five Cs represent the key areas that need to be addressed in a comprehensive evaluation: credibility, currency, content, construction, and clarity (Roberts 2010). These criteria work together to help patients and healthcare providers distinguish between reliable, high-quality health websites and those that may contain inaccurate, biased, or outdated information.
Because anyone can develop a website, it is important to know who created the site and to check the creator's credentials. Do they have both the knowledge and the expertise to be giving information and advice? Is there a specific author listed? If not, it can be difficult to verify the credibility of the writer, which can affect the reliability of the information presented.
When evaluating credibility, ask yourself: What qualifications does the author have, and what are these qualifications in? A qualified author in diabetes care, for example, would be a registered nurse, endocrinologist, or certified diabetes educator. Be suspicious of sites where no author is identified or where the author's credentials are vague or unrelated to the topic.
Internet information is very easy to update, and new information often appears online before it reaches journals and books. However, some websites are built and never reviewed, allowing information to quickly become out of date and, in some cases, potentially dangerous.
To assess currency, check whether the date the website was created is stated, and examine the reference list to see what the latest references are. A 2006 reference, for example, suggests the information was compiled in 2006 or later. Also ask: Is the information on the website current? Have there been recent updates? Does the site clearly display when it was last modified? These questions help ensure that the medical and nutritional guidance provided reflects current best practices.
Content evaluation requires examining the aims and purpose of the website. Read the introduction carefully, as it may explain why the website was produced—for example, as a response to increased incidence of a particular disease. Ask yourself: Are there products available for purchase? If so, the site's purpose may be commercial, and the information may be biased in favor of those products.
Additional content questions include: Is the website address consistent with the author's identity? Is the information written in the first or third person (first person may indicate personal opinion and bias)? Is the information accurate? Compare the website's information to current journals and books on the topic. Does the information align with peer-reviewed medical literature? PubMed and other medical databases are useful resources for cross-checking claims made on health websites.
The technical design and layout of a website affect both first impressions and usability. Consider your first thoughts when opening the website. If graphics are used, are they relevant to the site and appropriate? Could they discourage readers from exploring further? How is the web page laid out? Does the page look well organized?
Evaluate whether titles, headings, and subjects are easy to identify. Many people want to find relevant information quickly and expect to be directed to the appropriate section of the website. Can the reader find information easily through menus, search functions, or clear navigation? A well-constructed website respects the reader's time and reduces frustration by making it simple to locate specific topics or answers.
Information is completely useless if the person who needs it is unable to read or understand it. Web designers should identify their target group and understand the characteristics of that audience so they can develop appropriate material.
Ask: Is the level of writing appropriate for the target group? Who is the website aimed at—medical professionals, general adults, or newly diagnosed patients unfamiliar with medical terminology? Clear health communication for patients requires avoiding jargon, using short sentences, and providing definitions when technical terms are necessary.
"Trusted sources and websites to avoid"
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