Searching for health information on the internet can be overwhelming. For example, using Google to search for information about health conditions can yield thousands or even millions of websites. As a result, it can be hard to know where to start, and which websites to look at. Also, it’s often hard to know which information is reliable and which is not, especially if you’re new to the topic. This article suggests some websites you can use as a starting point when searching for health information, and gives some hints for using those sites.

Start with reliable websites

To make it easier for people to find health information, several organisations have set up ‘gateway’ websites that contain or direct you to good quality health information.

Some such websites are the Better Health Channel, MyDr, Medline Plus, HealthInsite, Health Translations Directory and the National Prescribing Service.

The information in these websites has passed rigorous quality tests to ensure that it is accurate, balanced and up to date.

As will be explained below, each of the websites is slightly different. To get the best out of your search, try to choose one that matches your needs.

Starting your search from one of these sites is the

easiest way of finding information you can trust.

Information about health and well-being

Better Health Channel

The Better Health Channel is a Victorian Government website that contains concise information produced by Australian health organisations. It is a good starting point for many searches.

In addition to fact sheets on a vast array of topics, the website has a medical dictionary, links to support groups and patients’ stories.

Search for information by clicking on ‘Fact sheets by category’ or ‘Fact sheets — A–Z’ in the lefthand column rather than using the search box.

MyDr

MyDr is a health information website set up by international medical publishing company CMP Medica. Like Better Health Channel, it contains concise information, and is a good alternative to Better Health Channel.

Search for information by clicking on the relevant letter in the ‘Health A–Z’ box in the top left corner, or by using the search box.

Medline Plus

Medline Plus is a United States Government website that directs consumers to websites produced by American institutions and organisations. It includes basic and detailed information, so is useful for introductory and in-depth searches, provided you take account of the fact that the information is American.

Start your search by clicking on ‘Health Topics’ in the upper left corner of the home page rather than using the search box. You will be taken to a page that starts with a brief summary of the topic and a short list of introductory websites under the heading ‘Start here’.

Below, under headings like ‘Overviews’, ‘Diagnosis/Symptoms’ and ‘Treatments’, are short lists of relevant websites for those wanting more detailed information.

Further down the page, for those wanting to delve even deeper, are links to relevant organisations, scientific articles and clinical trials.

HealthInsite

HealthInsite is an Australian Government website that directs consumers to health information produced by Australian health organisations. It is harder to find your way around than the other websites mentioned, so it is more suitable for experienced users.

Information about medicines in general

National Prescribing Service

The National Prescribing Service is an independent not-for-profit organisation that promotes the quality use of medicines.

The National Prescribing Service website contains:

• fact sheets about using medicines wisely, some in languages other than English
• tools and tips to help you manage your medicines
• the NPS Medicine Name Finder
• previous issues of MedicinesTalk.

Australian Prescriber

Australian Prescriber is an independent not-for-profit journal published six times a year by the National Prescribing Service. It is mainly intended for health professionals, but its website includes a useful section for the general public. Click on ‘Consumer Topics’.

Information about specific medicines

When looking for information about specific medicines, particularly prescription medicines, it is best to use only Australian websites. The names of medicines vary from country to country. If you use a non-Australian website, you may be unwittingly reading information about another medicine.
CMI leaflets

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets explain how a medicine works, how and when to take it, common side effects and potential interactions. They are written specifically for the general public, and are available for most prescription medicines and some non-prescription medicines.

CMI leaflets are a good starting point when seeking information about a particular medicine. They are available on several websites

• National Prescribing Service website by clicking on ‘CMI search’ just below the top banner of each page
• The medicines.org.au website. The CMI search window is on the home page
• Better Health Channel by going to the ‘Medicine guide’ in the lefthand column of the home page
• MyDr by entering the name of the medicine in the search box in the upper right corner of the home page and clicking on the ‘Medicines (CMI)’ button.

Information in other languages

Health Translations Directory

The Health Translations Directory is a Victorian Government website that directs you to translated health information produced by Australian governments and organisations. The directory contains over 10,000 resources in 58 languages.

Search for information by topic, by language or both. Your search will give you an English summary of the information, and direct you to an English version of the information as well as a version in the requested language or languages.