New on the Net by Kelly Clark Suzanne Clouthier Haidee Parker Rana Shaskin Richmond Public Library

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The Internet is an amazing but unpredictable tool. Because anybody can publish anything out there, one can find both invaluable information and unreliable nonsense. Special care is essential when evaluating any information ¬ whether it be on websites, in chat forums, or from the archives of Usenet newsgroups ¬ that concerns medicine and health.

The Internet can supplement, but never replace, advice from a doctor or qualified health professional. One can generally expect good quality, accuracy, and currency from websites that are sponsored by university departments, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Be aware too that some websites are entirely promotional, advertising a specific company or product. It's also helpful to look for and read a website's ABOUT page, or any information that gives the credentials of the site's authors, and the date when the site was last updated. Evaluating Internet Research Sources and Thinking Critically About Discipline-Based WWW Resources offer more suggestions for assessing the authority of Internet information in general.

With these criteria in mind, what websites might be good choices for health information? A sampling of recommended resources would have to include Medscape , a site intended for both healthcare professionals and consumers. It includes daily medical news, prescription drug information, a database of full-text articles, and free access to massive medical indexes like Medline . MedicineNet is maintained by a team of U.S. Board Certified Physicians. The site provides information on diseases and treatments, drugs, current news, first aid, and medical definitions, and includes an "Ask the Expert" section with a searchable archive. Healthtouch offers drug and health information from an impressive number of respected American medical organizations.

Here in Canada, helpful websites are available from both Health Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Health. People interested in specific medical syndromes can turn to websites sponsored by agencies like the Migraine Association of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Richmond Public Library has paid a special site license so that anyone with a Richmond Public Library card can access the Searchbank Health Reference Center through our home page for free. The Health Reference Center is a remarkable Internet database for finding up-to-date articles, pamphlets, and definitions on almost any medical topic or prescription drug.

This column and its links can be accessed from the Internet version of the Richmond Review, found on the Richmond Public Library's web site. Readers without Internet access at home can drop in or reserve free-use Internet stations at the Library: call the Main Branch at 231-6415, or the Steveston Branch at 274-2012. The Library also offers introductory and hands-on Internet classes. Call 231-6405 to register. Please e-mail comments and suggestions to column@yourlibrary.ca.