Best Medical Web Sites
The Internet is a valuable tool for anyone looking for the latest medical news. But there are more than 15,000 health-related Web sites, so finding a reliable source can be difficult. On The Saturday Early Show Regina Lewis, AOL's online adviser and author of the best-selling book Wired in a Week, offers some valuable directions.
Q: Where Is The Best Place To Start?
A: Start with a reputable online service provider such as America Online or CompuServe. Content providers to these portals must meet stringent criteria, so someone using these sites doesn't have to constantly check the fine print from Web site to Web site.
There are also several reputable general medical information sites that you can go to. Some of the most popular and well respected are Medscape.com, WebMD.com, MayoClinic.com and DrKoop.com.
Q: How should I begin my research?
A: Most sites allow you to type in a specific illness or issue. For instance you can go to WebMD.com. On the first page you type in "arthritis." You can then search through all the results the site gives you.
Directories: Let's say you are looking for an orthopedic surgeon in Chicago. Almost all the major Web sites can lead you to one. Some of the sites even provide directions.
Support Groups: It's estimated that as many as one in four people who go online to get health information also join a support group. These can be tremendously powerful and can help people know they are not alone.
Breaking News: Medscape is just one site that gives you the latest breaking medical news.
Alternative Medicine: DrKoop.com has a very good alternative medicine site.
Q: Is looking for medical information online dangerous?
A: Overall, the Internet is doing a terrific job of making people more informed, it doesn't make them a doctor. It's a real red flag when someone starts diagnosing themselves or walking into a doctor's office and opening with, "I've got it all figured out." The bottom line though is stick to the reputable Web sites that we've been talking about. There are some independent Web sites that are filled with misleading information.
Q: What About Buying Drugs On-Line?
A: Web pharmacies such as drugstore.com offer a number of conveniences that many offline pharmacies can't. A prescription can be phoned, faxeor emailed any time of day or night. Some doctors can transmit prescriptions directly to drug store sites, which can reduce the chance of having the prescription misread at any point in the process. You can also get immediate price quotes.
But we also have to throw up a red flag here. Only use Web sites that require a doctor's prescription. There are some Web sites where you can get Viagra for example without a doctor's prescription. Stay away from these sites because the pills they are offering could be dangerous.
Q: You Say The Net Is Also A Great Place To Get Information About Your Health Insurance And Benefits Program.
A: If for instance United Healthcare is your company's insurance carrier you can go to that Web site and get instant information about your account much like you can get instant information from your bank.
There's also an amazing new site benefitscheckup.org that's been put together by the National Council on Aging. It helps seniors (and their loved ones -- so you can do this for a parent or grandparent) identify benefits they may be eligible for that they don't even know about and aren't taking advantage of.
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