Many people usually research their health problems on the Internet before seeking medical help. But health information from the web is not always accurate or even serious and, above all, cannot replace medical advice. Only with sufficient health literacy can you benefit from health information.
Health literacy involves finding, understanding, evaluating, and applying health information.
To find
You can find trustworthy health information primarily at the following addresses:
bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
bioeg.de/
gesund.bund.de
gesundheitsinformation.de
Understand
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If you do not understand certain information, please contact our health hotline. Here you can reach specialist medical staff to answer your questions in detail and without time pressure.
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You can find a selection of possible advice and service centers at gesund.bund.de/service/beratung-und-hilfe#beratung-und-hilfe. Many of these contact points can provide additional information and contact persons.
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The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians also provides information, helps with finding a doctor and arranges specialist appointments.
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Evaluate
Trustworthy information can be identified on the basis of various characteristics. Reputable health information usually has quality labels for assessing online health information, such as afgis or HON code.
The websites should be free of advertising and brand names, texts should be up-to-date. It should always be stated that this health information does not replace a visit to the doctor. Tips for evaluating health information can be found at: patienten-information.de/kurzinformationen/gesundheitsthemen-im-internet
Tips for online research on health topics can be found at
- Adults at gesund-im-netz.net
- Young people at klick2health.net
Apply
Once you have found and understood reputable health information, you can make informed decisions about your health. If you are still not sure, get more information.
