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Health info online

Surfing into danger?

Lots of people like to use the internet to access health information. But how can you be sure that the sites you find are reliable and accurate?

Talk over any articles you find with your healthcare team. Take a copy for them and include the site address.

How to surf safely for health information

  • Ask your healthcare team if they can recommend any good sites.

  • Be cautious about buying medical products on the internet. In most countries, selling and buying medical products via the internet is illegal. Use pharmacies instead.

  • Beware of sites offering a cure for diabetes. Although research advances every day, there is no known cure at present.

  • Be sceptical of a product that is described as secret.

  • Don't stop taking your insulin, whatever a website says. Always discuss their claims with your doctor or nurse.

  • Check that links are still ‘live’ as 'dead’ links indicate that other information on the site may also be out of date.

  • Be critical - if it sounds unbelievable, it probably is.

  • Educate yourself and learn how to assess research results.

  • Don’t be fooled by the use of high-tech websites - slick graphics don't necessarily mean that the content will be high quality.

  • Don’t rely on search engines. Instead, find a reliable source of medical information. Throughout the Diabetes UK site you'll find useful links to other credible sites.

  • Don’t provide confidential medical or financial information, even in a survey format, unless you are absolutely sure you are providing it to a trustworthy, reputable organisation and it will be treated in confidence.

  • Don’t give your computer or email password to anyone.

  • Don’t respond to unwanted email as the sender will then know that yours is a
    ‘live’ address.

If you can't check information with your doctor, or a member of your healthcare team, contact a reputable organisation like Diabetes UK. The Diabetes UK Careline may be able to advise you – call 0845 120 2960 or email careline@diabetes.org.uk.

(*Depending on your phone package, calls to 0845 numbers may be free. Otherwise, calls to this number from a BT landline can incur a 9.05p set-up charge plus an additional charge of up to 5.25p per minute. Please check with your phone provider for further details of costs to 0845 numbers. Alternatively, call 020 7424 1000 and ask Reception to transfer your call to the Careline.)