Why is it important to get health information from a quality website?Not all websites on the internet provide accurate health information. You can't believe everything you read on the internet. Whether you are searching the internet for information for a school assignment or wanting to learn more about various health topics, it is important to know that the information you find is accurate. Searching for health information from quality health websites will help a person find valid information and help them avoid incorrect information. How do I select a quality health website? "Reliable websites give you true information! Remember these four points when you search the Internet:
ACCURACY-- Does the website use reliable research? Check many sources for the same information - are the results the same?
AUTHORITY-- Websites that end in .org, .gov or .edu are usually the most reliable websites for health facts. Make sure the website is written by doctors, nurses, or others working in the health field.
BIAS-- Who pays for the website? If a company supports a website they could have control over the website and give you wrong information.
CURRENCY-- When were the facts last updated? Medical research never stops. Make sure the information is no older than 3 years" (Sone, n.d., p. 3).
This app streams workouts to help you obtain your fitness goals.
Esquared https://www.esq2.com/ An on-demand fitness app that can help you locate fitness sessions near you. Fitbit https://www.fitbit.com/home This fitness app motivates you to keep moving! Tracks your daily steps, monitors your heart rate, and sleep patterns. MyFitnessPal https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ A nutrition and fitness app where you can input the foods you eat and the exercise you do. This app helps you track your daily calories and physical activities to help you reach your personal health goals. This app can help you manage your nutrition goals and keep you on track to accomplish them. FIIT https://fiit.tv/ Also known as the "Netflix of fitness apps." This fitness app provides the user with interactive exercise classes as well as a way to monitor your heart rate while you exercise. Nudge https://nudgecoach.com/nudgeapp An app to help you stay active and keep up healthy behaviors. This app allows you to connect with friends so you can encourage each other along the path to better health. It's interactive and fun! Headspace https://www.headspace.com/ This meditation app helps you relax and guides you through breathing and visualization exercises. Instant Heart Rate https://www.azumio.com/s/instantheartrate/index.html This app uses the camera on your phone to record and measure your heart rate. This information then can be shared with your doctor.
What are virtual support groups? Virtual support groups can provide individuals with the support they need to help them through a difficult health situation. Online support groups provide participants a way to receive comfort and strength during a challenging time. Some of the other benefits of joining a virtual support group are you can:
Receive encouragement from others
Be inspired by stories of accomplishment
Share personal experiences
Feel less lonely and isolated
Gain a sense of empowerment and control of a situation
Solve problems or concerns by sharing with others in a similar situation
The above-bulleted info was obtained from (“Virtual support groups bring cancer patients together,” n.d.) "For many people, a health-related support group may fill a gap between medical treatment and the need for emotional support" (“How to choose the right support group,” n.d., para. 3). But be cautious... "It is important to remember that not all online support groups are the same. Before you sign up for a support group, you’ll want to do a little research to make sure the site is secure and legitimate. Registration allows for extra safeguards when sharing information" (“Virtual support groups bring cancer patients together,” n.d., para. 6). Lack of confidentiality can be a possible risk of participating in a support group be sure to find a group that has a facilitator that helps prevent confidentiality issues (“How to choose the right support group,” n.d.). It is important you select a support group that is a good match for you! Try one out and if it isn't a good fit look for another support group to meet your needs.
"A patient portal is a website for your personal health care. The online tool helps you to keep track of your health care provider visits, test results, billing, prescriptions, and so on. You can also e-mail your provider questions through the portal. Many providers now offer patient portals. For access, you will need to set up an account. The service is free. A password is used so that all of your information is private and secure" (“Patient portals - an online tool for your health,” n.d., para. 1, 2).
What is a Personal Health Record? "A personal health record, or PHR, is an electronic application through which patients can maintain and manage their health information (and that of others for whom they are authorized) in a private, secure, and confidential environment" (“What is a personal health record? | HealthIT.gov,” n.d., para. 1).
What are the benefits of having a personal health record and using patient portals?
You can access your secure personal health information and be in touch with your provider's office 24 hours a day. You do not need to wait for office hours or returned phone calls to have basic issues resolved.
You can access all of your personal health information from all of your providers in one place. If you have a team of providers, or see specialists regularly, they can all post results and reminders in a portal. Providers can see what other treatments and advice you are getting. This can lead to better care and better management of your medicines.
E-mail reminders and alerts help you to remember things like annual checkups and flu shots.
The above-bulleted information from (“Patient portals - an online tool for your health,” n.d., sec. The benefits of a patient portal). Check this video out to see what the FollowMyHealth patient portal is all about:
NIH Clinical Center. (n.d.). Follow My Health. [Digital Video]. Retrieved from
What about security and confidentiality? The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has shared measures to protect the security of a patient's personal health information (PHI) within a patient portal. Laws and regulations have been created to help protect PHI. Organizations must comply with specific regulations to help protect PHI. For example, a patient portal should have multiple firewalls, have encryption, include a safe way to create a strong password, and provide a secure way to retrieve that password if it is forgotten (HealthITSecurity, 2013). Additionally, never share your patient portal user name and password with anyone (HealthITSecurity, 2013).
