Sponsored by Northwell Health  

By Griffin Cooper

Clinicians no doubt hear some version of this question often: “I looked this up online, but I’m not sure what to believe.” It is a very reasonable concern. For people in Westport and nearby Fairfield County communities, health information is everywhere. Advice can be found in search results, social media feeds, school parent groups, newsletters, podcasts, online forums and conversations with friends. Some of it is helpful. Some of it is incomplete. And some of it can be misleading enough to affect real medical decisions.

The good news is that you do not need to become a medical expert to become a better judge of medical information. You simply need a few habits that help you slow down, look at the source, and know when to bring a question to someone who understands your health history. We sat down with Dr. Natalie Mora, Medical Director of the Metabolic and Medical Weight Management Program at Norwalk Hospital to discuss how to best find the most trusted medical information online. 

Start with the source

Before you focus on the headline, ask a basic question: who is providing this information? In medicine, the source matters. Information from federal health agencies, academic medical centers, professional medical societies, hospitals and nonprofit health organizations is generally more reliable than content from an unnamed author, a commercial site selling a product, or a social media account with unclear credentials.

That does not mean every article from a well-known organization is perfect, and it does not mean every personal story is unhelpful. But trustworthy medical information usually makes it easy to see who wrote or reviewed it, what organization stands behind it and whether the goal is to educate rather than sell.

Look for medical review, not just medical language

“Many websites sound medical because they use medical terms,” explains Dr. Mora. “That is not the same as being medically reviewed. A reliable article should tell you whether the information was written or reviewed by a physician, advanced practice provider, nurse, pharmacist, registered dietitian, therapist, or another qualified professional whose expertise matches the topic.”

This is especially important for topics that can quickly become confusing, such as cancer screenings, heart symptoms, vaccines, medications, children’s health, mental health, nutrition, menopause, chronic pain or supplements. If an article offers strong medical recommendations but does not explain who reviewed it, that is a reason to pause.

Check the date

Medicine changes. Screening guidelines are updated, new medications become available, safety recommendations evolve and research improves our understanding of many conditions. That is why the publication date or last reviewed date matters.

An older article may still be useful for general background, but if you are making a decision about a medication, a vaccine, a screening test, a symptom or a treatment plan, look for current information. If you cannot find a date at all, treat the information with caution.

Be careful with “miracle” claims

One of the clearest warning signs is language that promises too much. Be skeptical of phrases like “guaranteed cure,” “secret doctors do not want you to know,” “works for everyone,” “no side effects,” or “replace your medication naturally.” Medicine is rarely that simple.

“Good medical information usually explains both benefits and risks,” says Dr. Mora. “It acknowledges uncertainty. It may describe when a treatment helps, when it does not, who should avoid it and what questions to ask your clinician.” If a website seems designed to make you afraid, angry, or eager to buy something immediately, it is probably not giving you the balanced information you need.

Use social media as a starting point, not a diagnosis

Social media can be powerful. It can help people feel less alone, introduce them to questions they may not have known to ask, and connect families with support communities. But it can also blur the line between personal experience and medical guidance.

A person’s story may be completely sincere and still not apply to you. Two people can have the same diagnosis and need different treatment because of age, other medical conditions, medications, family history, allergies, pregnancy status, occupational risks, or personal goals. If something you see online makes you wonder whether you should change your care, bring it to your clinician before acting on it.

Ask: Is this general information or personal medical advice?

This is one of the most important distinctions patients can make. General health information can help you understand a topic. Personal medical advice requires context. Your blood pressure readings, lab results, imaging, medications, symptoms, family history and previous diagnoses all affect what is right for you.

For example, an article about back pain may explain common causes and home care strategies. But whether your back pain needs imaging, physical therapy, medication, specialist care or urgent evaluation depends on your symptoms and risk factors. The same is true for chest discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, abdominal pain, medication side effects, and many other concerns.

Make a short list of trusted places to start

When it comes to where to begin searching for trusted information, it may be helpful to start with sources that are written for the public and reviewed by medical experts. Examples include MedlinePlus, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, major academic medical centers, professional medical societies and your own health system or clinician’s office when they provide patient education materials.

For Westport-area families, this can be especially helpful because daily life is busy. Between work, school, caregiving, commuting, athletics, community activities and caring for aging parents, people often search for health answers quickly. Having a few reliable sources in mind can make that search calmer and more useful.

Bring your questions to the visit

“Clinicians do not expect patients to come in with no questions,” says Dr. Mora. “In fact, thoughtful questions often lead to better conversations.” If you read something that concerns you, save it or write down the main point. Then ask: “Does this apply to me?” “Is this treatment appropriate for my situation?” “What are the risks?” “What should I watch for?” “When should I call you?”

This approach turns online information into a tool rather than a source of confusion. It also helps your clinician understand what you are worried about, what you have already learned, and what kind of explanation would be most helpful.

Know when not to wait

“Online information should never delay urgent care,” explains Dr. Mora. “If you or someone nearby has symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, severe allergic reaction, major injury, sudden confusion, severe bleeding, suicidal thoughts or another emergency concern, seek emergency help right away.”

For less urgent issues, your primary care office, pediatrician, specialist, pharmacist, or nurse advice line may be able to help you decide the right next step. The goal is not to avoid the internet. The goal is to use it wisely and to know when a real-time medical conversation is safer.

The bottom line: Trusted medical information should help you feel informed, not pressured. It should explain, not frighten. It should be transparent about who created it, when it was updated, and what evidence supports it. Most importantly, it should help you have a better conversation with your clinician.

In a community like Westport, where residents are often proactive about their health and the health of their families, learning how to evaluate medical information is a practical skill. The internet can be a helpful first step, but your care should always come back to trusted sources, sound evidence and the clinician who knows you.

Find a Northwell Health healthcare provider.

Dr. Mora is a double board-certified physician in endocrinology and internal medicine. Her main clinical interests include obesity and diabetes. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Mora graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University. She completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Virginia and an endocrinology fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Mora has much experience in treating patients from a variety of backgrounds and with complex medical histories. Her background in endocrinology has extensive overlap with obesity and metabolism, for which she has worked with patients to create comprehensive management plans. Dr. Mora launched the first telemedicine endocrinology program for patients in Connecticut and New York. She will continue to offer telemedicine in her new role as the Director of the Metabolic Medical Weight Loss Program. In her free time, she can be found reading history books, traveling with her husband and 2 small children and exploring museums.

Northwell Health has sponsored this content for Westport Journal. For more information about Northwell, visit northwell.edu.