It's critical to be critical!
You can find many sources on the internet, but sometimes it can be difficult to decide if a site has quality information, or junk information. One way to critically review a website is to use the CRAP Test:
C: Currency: How recently was the website updated or published? Does the site even list any dates?
R: Reliability: Is the content factually-based or based on opinion? Does the site list references and quote sources?
A: Authority: Is an author listed for the site? Is the author credentialed (e.g. RN, MD, etc.)? Are there advertisements on the page? If so, are the ads related to the content of the information on the site (e.g. a critical review of over the counter pain medication with ads for Advil next to it might be suspicious).
P: Purpose or Point of View: Does the site appear to be biased? Is the site trying to sell you something?
If you are unable to answer these questions for a web site, then you should reconsider using it as a source for course assignments and research papers.
Below you will also find a useful guide (in PDF format) to finding quality health information on the internet. The guide discusses search strategies, the best types of websites to utlize, and includes a list of recommended websites.
Recommended Website Links
It can be difficult to find websites that have reliable information. Your instructors may restrict the types of websites used for a project because it can be difficult to find the author, if the site has been reviewed, or even when it was published. Anyone can add anything to the internet, so it is best to proceed with caution, especially when researching health-related topics. Here is a list of sites that contain authoritative information:
Radiology Websites:
This site, created by Dr. William Herring, provides a bank of radiographic images along with presentations about detecting major diseases. The site does advertise a book, but all of the content is free and reviewed by a medical professional.
This site is a "wiki" site created and compiled by radiology experts. There are hundreds of images, patient cases, and an encyclopedia of terms. This is a good source to use for general information or if you are interested in viewing interesting radiographic images.
This site is a consumer resource that provides descriptions of various radiology procedures.
Radiological Technologist Occupational Outlook
This site describes what radiologists do, their typical work environment, average salaries, and growth projections for the career.
This is a fun website where you can see CT scans and X-rays of everyday objects, like toys, food, and technology.
This page from the Food & Drug Administration's website provides information for patients and radiography professionals alike regarding safety standards on radiographic equipment. Most valuable are the links to various laws, regulations, and performance standards under "Information for Professionals."
This is a comprehensive website for radiologists and other medical imaging professionals, which provides a place for them to intreract, collaborate and do research on a wide variety of topics of importance to the field. The lastest news on medical imaging can be found here.
General Health Websites
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This site has information about diseases, conditions, and other public health matters.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
This site has general information about health conditions, clinical trials, and updates on the latest medical research
Medline Plus is a website created by the NIH that contatins consumer-level health information about diseases/conditions, drugs, and other health-related concerns. The site also have interactive tutorials and videos.
This website, designed by and for healthcare professionals, has several useful tools and tutorials. On this site you can listen to lung and heart sounds, practice taking blood pressure measurements (using an interactive tool), and review reading EKG/ECG tracings.
MedlinePlus Video Tutorial
Click on the image below to watch a video tutorial created by the National Library of Medicine to help you better understand how to evaluate health-related information found on the internet
