The digital information era has brought with it among many other benefits, the possibilities of accessing health information through the internet. Nevertheless, of much concern is the trustworthiness and reliability of such information to the users. To ensure sanity and sanctity of the information provided by several healthcare information providing websites, it is vital to assess the authenticity of these sources. The Health on the Net (HON) Foundation, a non-governmental organization, assesses the authenticity of these websites and the healthcare information they provide (Boyer, Gaudinat, Baujardand, & Geissbühler, 2007). To do this, the organization enforces a set of guidelines known as the HONcode, for information presented on these websites. Fortunately, the websites that comply with these guidelines can apply for certification with the Health on the Net Foundation. With the certification, users can easily identify with the information provided on these websites as credible.
The HONcode guidelines stipulate that a healthcare information providing websites should indicate the following eight attributes. First, it should be authoritative by showing the author’s qualifications (Boyer, 2007). Second, it should indicate complementarity by reminding the user that the information provided only support the relationship between the doctor and the patient and not acting like a total replacement for this relationship (Boyer, 2007). Third, the website should assure the user of respect and confidentiality of personal information provided by the user (Boyer, 2007). Fourth, the site should attribute all information cited in their correct sources with the correct dating (Boyer, 2007). Fifth, the site should justify the information provided by indicating the benefits achieved (Boyer, 2007). Sixth, the site needs to commit to transparency by revealing the correct contacts of the editors and the webmaster (Boyer, 2007). Seventh, the site has to disclose its source of funding through a financial disclosure (Boyer, 2007). Finally, the site has to indicate clearly, what’s on the website is an advertisement from what is part of the editorial content (Boyer, 2007). One such website that provides web-based healthcare information is the Allina Health Organization; web URL- allinahealth.org. It is one of the websites accredited by the Health on the Net Foundation,
Healthcare information, articles on the Allina Health Organization website are provided with the indications of the author, their qualifications, and direct email contacts with which to correspond with them. For example, in the article on anterior cruciate ligament prevention, the site follows all the guidelines of the HONcode by indicating the author’s qualification. On the home page, the website commits to maintaining the privacy of patients personal information submitted by the patients on the website. Similarly, on the footer of every page, the website also indicates that the information provided is only complementary to the care given by a physician. Every article is attributed to the specific information source used in the course of their development. The site also discloses that the source of their funding and sponsorship are from community support through grants, donations, and volunteerism.
Because the website provides the authors, their qualifications, and direct email contacts at the end of every article posted, it is therefore authoritative. The website also identifies the importance of the relationship that exists between a physic’ian and his or her patients and thus reminds the user that the information provided on the website should only complement that relationship. There is also a commitment to maintain the integrity and confidentially of the information provided by the patient. All the source materials referred to in the process of writing the editorial articles are also cited at the end of the articles and thus following the attribution requirement of the HONcode. On the “about us” page, the website empirically indicates their updated achievements and thus justifies the usefulness and the benefits of the information provided on the website. The site also exemplifies transparency by providing the email addresses of the article contributors. It also indicates the source of its funding as thus being from grants, volunteerism, and donations from the community. Finally, the site does not have advertisements content, and commits on its “terms-and-conditions-of-use” page that it does not support third party advertisement.
References
Boyer, C. (2007). When the quality of health information matters: Health on the Net is the Quality Standard for Information You can Trust . Health On the Net Foundation Campus Party (pp. 1-57). Geneva, Switzerland : Health On the Net Foundation.
Boyer, C., Gaudinat, A., Baujardand, V., & Geissbühler, A. (2007). Health On the Net Foundation: Assessing the quality of health Web page all over the world . Health On the Net Foundation.
