Computer Information

To be able to access the incredible amount of health information that is on the web you must first have the knowledge and skills to obtain this knowledge. First, you must know the basics of your computer and internet system. Your computer consists of the motherboard, CPU/processor, RAM, hard drive, and power supply unit. These components work by storing long and short term memory as well as doing the basics like turning the computer on and off and typing and moving the mouse. 

To have access to the internet, you need to contact an internet service provider such as Xfinity. After you have signed up with an internet service provider, they will likely provide you with a modem and router that are used to connect the computer to the internet. From there you will have access to the internet and will be able to begin your search to better health information. 

To begin your search, you will most likely want to start at an internet browser such as Google, Bing, etc. From here you can search key terms such as "healthy meals," and the browser will populate with many different options. "Healthy meals" may be too broad of a term so try to narrow down your search by asking for something more specific such as "healthy lunch salads for work" and see what information that gives you. Once you have reached your preferred internet browser your options to search are endless. 

GCF Global (2019) Computer basics. Retrieved from https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/inside-a-computer/1/

Personal Health Records & Patient Portals

If you have been to see a doctor in the past five years, you have probably been told that you can look up the information discussed on your patient portal. A patient portal is a secure website that gives the patient access to their personal health information any time they would like. Information that can be found on the patient portal includes upcoming appointments, medications, immunizations, allergies, and lab results. Some patient portals allow you to privately message your physician, discuss drugs and obtain refills, schedule appointments, and check insurance coverage. 

The patient portal is beneficial for both the patient and the physician and allows them both to be aware of the information enabling the patient to be able to ask educated questions. This information needs to be kept secure and confidential therefore your patient portal will likely be password protected and should be looked at with care of your surroundings. 

HealthIT.gov (2017) What is a patient portal? Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-patient-portal

Virtual Support Groups

Virtual support groups can be beneficial for anyone who has been recently diagnosed with a major illness, a family member of someone struggling with addiction, or an individual dealing with a stressful life change, along with countless others scenarios. Support groups bring together groups of people whom all are experiencing similar events to gain insight from each other through discussions on coping strategies, feelings, and experiences.
 Support groups allow these individuals to have a safe space to discuss and realize they do not have to face these problems alone.  Although a lack of confidentiality may be a barrier someone from attending these support groups, facilitators are there to steer participants away from this problem. Also by visiting a virtual support group online, privacy and anonymity are increased. 

Support groups that I recommend include: (click the link to learn more)

12 step online – This virtual support group is an online Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting place and discussion forum. The chat is open 24/7 and there are 5 scheduled meetings each day

Diabetes support- This is a discussion board on which many individuals with diabetes use to talk about stuggles they may have or new insights they have gained. 

Anxiety and Depression support - This area looks a lot like the facebook homescreen except for it includes posts from those suffering with axiety and depression. It is a place to express feelings, and discuss thoughts.


Mayo Clinic (2018) Support groups: Make connections, get help. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655

Healthy App's

Health apps can seem super trendy right now, but many of them can be beneficial for both you and your family. When using a health app, after seeing how the app works for you, security and confidentiality should be your top concerns. After I did some research I found that MD Anderson Cancer Center (2014), had a great list of criteria that narrowed down the app selection. Some of the factors that I like to check before using a health app are, knowing whom the developers are, reading the reviews, having realistic expectations, and avoiding apps that are too good to be true. I also like to test the app out before purchasing; this has saved me countless times

As discussed before if security and confidentiality are important to you, you should be sure to read the applications terms and conditions on how the information they gain can and will be shared.  A few of the health apps that I use include Myfitnesspal and Clue.  I really like both of these because they are password protected can be used adequately for free and have a lot of extremely helpful infomation that I have been able to apply to my own life. You can find more information about them here and here.

MD Anderson Cancer Center (2014) How to choose a good health app. Retrieved from https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/health-app-choices.h11-1589046.html

Criteria for Selecting a Quality Website

In today’s day and age, there are endless amounts of health information on the internet. When selecting a website to gather health information from it is very important to consider the following criteria before taking the new knowledge that you have gained to heart.

First, it is essential to know who runs the site or who created the app, and then you can decide for yourself if you feel that you can trust the information they give. Second, it is crucial to know what the site is promising or offering. If the claims seem too good to be true, they probably are. Third, when was the information written or reviewed, you want to work with the most up to date information. Fourth, where did this information come from, has research backed it? Lastly, why does this website exist? Are they selling something? If they are, that might not reflect the best information

Do some research and use the list of criteria above to find the most accurate information out there. Also, below are some credible websites that meet the requirements and have great information that can be helpful! Good luck researching!

Site #1

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Site #5

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2019) Finding and evaluating online resources. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/webresources