Research shows that reading medical blogs influence intentions to take future preventative health actions, with different blog types showing differing efficacy.
1. Reliability
Health blogs often have Q&A sections where readers can ask questions and get advice. Some also have review sections for products such as fitness gear, workout programs, or healthy food items. These help attract bottom-of-the-funnel prospects that are ready to buy soon.
Some sources of information on health blogs might not be reliable. A trustworthy healthcare blog will clearly state the authors and contributors, as well as disclose any financial stake they have in the content of the website. The page should also have dates indicating when the information was written, reviewed or updated. It should also have links to the original source of the information. This way, you can verify its accuracy and reliability. Moreover, the health information website should have a policy on how it uses your personal information.
2. Credibility
Health blogs provide a new route for health professionals to communicate with the public but carry some risks such as unprofessional tone and content, privacy violations, and hidden promotions that can damage the integrity of the profession. Many of these sources are not subject to standardized, rigorous vetting mechanisms and therefore do not automatically align with the principles and attributes outlined in this paper.
A wide range of nonprofit and government sources provide information online, including professional associations; large health care organizations; universities; think tanks; philanthropies; and state, local, tribal, and territorial government health agencies. Evaluating the credibility of each of these sources individually is an infeasible goal as a first step, but elevating sources that meet specific criteria can help manage the spread of misinformation and falsehoods. Credible health information sources clearly identify their authors and disclose any conflicts of interest, as well as strive to make their content free from biases that may affect the quality of the information. They also strive to keep their content up to date.
3. Transparency
People seek health information from many different sources—health care professionals, family and friends, educational materials, advertisements, the media and the internet. Unfortunately, not all health-related websites are reliable.
Dependable health information sites clearly identify authors and contributors. A site should also indicate the purpose of the website and whether it is trying to sell products or services. It should also disclose any financial or other conflicts of interest. Individuals who wish to know Health Blog, they can check out the post right here.
A good health blog draws the reader in with a compelling introduction, such as a shocking statistic, little known fact or powerful quote. It also explains why the information is important and how it will benefit the reader. Physician and nurse blogs often provide a personal voice to the world of healthcare. However, they can also be problematic if they violate professional standards by writing about patients or their personal experiences in ways that compromise their patients’ privacy or reflect negatively on the medical profession. These blogs are a great example of why it is so important to understand your audience and to write with them in mind.
