Popular Nutrition and Health Information Sources, Coursework Example

Introduction

Consumer health information contributes to confusion and lack of clear knowledge regarding a variety of health issues that impact many patients. As a result, some consumers may or may not seek expert health advice based upon what has been read on a random website. This creates significant challenges for the consumer and for the system as a whole where there is no clear approach to determining if the information is accurate to begin with, and this creates obstacles for many consumers in achieving their healthcare needs (Medline Plus, 2013). In this capacity, consumers must possess the knowledge that is required to decipher truth from fiction in the health information arena.

Analysis

Consumers should examine health information in great detail in order to determine if it is legitimate or false, as this will facilitate a greater awareness of their needs when web browsing for health information (Medline Plus, 2012). These factors require consumers to view information differently and with an open mind in order to prevent any health-related complications (Garden-Robinson, 2013). These factors support a greater understanding of why websites are produced to provide consumer health information and to determine which ones are only in the business for the profits, versus those who are in it to share important knowledge with consumers (Garden-Robinson, 2013).

Conclusion

Consumers seeking health information on the Internet must be able to distinguish between different types of information and be able to manage these differences through an evaluation of fact versus fiction. Health experts may provide clarity in these objectives and in determining how to best approach health information effectively to meet patient needs in a comprehensive manner (Hebda & Czar, 2013). In this capacity, healthcare experts must be able to provide consumers with tips regarding consumer health information that will aid in their own future searches.

References

Garden-Robinson, J. (2013). Finding the truth II: are popular nutrition and health information sources reliable? Retrieved from http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/foods/fn600.pdf

Hebda, T. & Czar, P. (2013). Handbook of informatics for nurses and healthcare professionals (5thEd.) Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2013 Nov 13]. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/aboutmedlineplus.html

MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2012 Aug 18]. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthywebsurfing.html