Top 10 medical websites for reliable health information
The Internet has become the first door we go through when searching for just about anything. This has increased the importance of medical websites, many of which give misleading information and few of which are reliable!
How many times have you found yourself writing sudden symptoms that you suffer to find out its diagnosis through Google! How many times have the results of your search for a headache and blurred vision led to a brain tumor?!
Getting false diagnoses that are far from the real problem is very likely when you rely on Google as a doctor to diagnose your condition! Especially since many sites that consider themselves medical give inaccurate information and are not based on all facts.
Another thing that cannot be overlooked is that medical conditions often depend on face-to-face diagnosis.
However, that does not mean that all websites are the same. Many websites affiliated with well-known medical associations and centers give you 100% accurate information, in which you can find reliable medical information.
Top 10 medical websites on the internet
Medscape Site
The site is led by one of the best scientists in the world, Dr. Eric Topol, and is undoubtedly a reference site for many doctors and medical professionals.
The site can also be considered as a very useful reference for nurses looking for information about diseases in general on the Internet.
Featuring articles, the latest medical news, clinical trial coverage, and drug development updates, Medscape is a trusted source for any health-related information. Furthermore, the same organization also provides education for physicians and health professionals.
The site is available in German, Portuguese, Spanish and French, as well as in English. It also has mobile applications for Android and iOS.
Smart Patients website
Smart Patients displays a live online circuit where patients, families, and caregivers learn from each other about treatments, clinical trials, or the latest science.
The site was originally created as a tool to empower cancer patients in the community. Today, 25 years after its launch, the Smart Patients website provides great disease resources for interested groups.
After logging in to the site, you can become a member of a simple and practical group to be more informed about the experiences of others who share the same health symptoms about a disease.
Medline Plus
The National Electronic Library of Medicine in the United States, provides easy information in English and Spanish for patients, health care providers, and those interested in finding reliable medical information.
Patients can learn about the latest treatments with Medline Plus, search for information about a drug or supplement, learn the meanings of drug terms, watch medical videos or illustrations, or even get links to medical research or learn about clinical trials.
The site provides medical and health information to customers in various categories such as health and wellness information, genetics, information about medications and supplements, medical tests, encyclopedia articles, and even prescriptions.
Drugs.com — the largest pharmaceutical medical website
This online pharmacy encyclopedia provides a free information service for patients and healthcare professionals about medicines.
In order to help patients better understand how medications work, the page lists the medications’ use, side effects, and potential for interactions with other medications.
In its search feature, the user can either browse through medications or based on a specific condition, and the site also provides a “Pill Identifier” service that aims to find legal drugs based on their appearance or names in the United States.
It even has a voice search, which is an excellent tool because drug names are often confusing, long, and unpronounceable for patients.
Mayo Clinic website
Mayo Clinic, one of the leading medical centers in the United States, focuses on integrated patient care, education and research.
Their website provides detailed information about medical conditions and diseases — by browsing disease and condition descriptions or by describing the disease in the Symptom Checker.
One of the most interesting features here are the research tests and procedures where patients can search for possible treatment procedures and learn what awaits them or their loved ones.
Their articles are written based on the experience of more than 3,300 Mayo Clinic doctors, scientists and researchers to empower patients through their collaborative research.
Orphanet website — the richest medical website with rare information about medicines
A medical website that provides specialized information about rare diseases and orphan drugs (“rare drugs that are produced by very few companies”.
The site was started in 1997, to collect information to advance the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with rare diseases.
To date, it has become a global scientific project supported by Europe, incorporating information on more than 6,100 rare diseases and 5,400 genes.
This open-access, peer-reviewed journal serves as an inventory of rare diseases, using expert classifications, and cross-references with other terms including annotations related to genes, phenotypes, and epidemiological data.
Orphanet is a great tool for clinicians and patients in their seemingly impossible search for answers about rare diseases.
Medgadget_
Medgadget is the best choice for information about medical technologies, featuring up-to-date information on the latest healthcare technologies, trends and research.
The site is considered to be one of the most visited and trusted medical websites on the subject. Their sponsored articles are always clearly labeled and have a transparent editing process, making them a trusted source of straightforward medical information you can always rely on.
WebMD — one of the most popular medical websites
One of the most visited websites about health and wellbeing. The site provides reliable information through its featured articles and content.
It also provides sections on medications and supplements, health and wellness, symptoms and conditions, and family wellness resources.
Health.gov. website
Health.gov aims to be a reference point for health care practitioners in the United States to recommend to people information about prevention and wellness.
The site is operated by the US Department of Health and Human Services. It can be used for personal preventive health care service recommendations — in the US, these results can be submitted to the GP directly to discuss the data with them.
SPM ePatients Medical Blog
The blog aims to facilitate the concept of participatory medicine, a movement in which networked patients transform from mere commuters into drivers responsible for their own health, and in which providers encourage and value them as full partners.
The organization seeks to bring together all stakeholders in healthcare to encourage collaboration, communication and collaboration that enhance patient participation, empowerment and education.
In line with its mission, e-patient.net contains the latest news and information about participatory medicine.