Introduction
Today, more and more people use the Internet to search for health and medical information. The Internet is filled with all kinds of information, either high or low quality. Medical practitioners also seek guidance from online sources, so it is important to assess the information provided. The quality and usefulness of the information can be assessed using the eight evaluation principles. This paper aims to use the criteria to assess the American Health Network (AHN) website. The AHN website provides dependable, comprehensive, and user-centered health information.
ANH Website Analysis
Authority
The first objective is to assess the website’s authority in providing health information. Information on the AHN website is authoritative as it is sourced from physicians who founded the website with the intention of delivering quality health care. They have enhanced the website’s authority by providing the best and complete medical care. The team further seeks to provide high-quality patient care at an affordable cost by creating and offering useful disease management programs. The website’s authority can be enhanced by providing information on the site and editorial teams.
Complementarity
The principle requires that the information provided on the website should seek to support and not replace the patient-physician relationship. The AHN website indicates that it comprises physicians who practice as independent practitioners (American Health Network, n.d.). The website disclaims that no patient should disregard a professional’s medical advice. Patients are cautioned from entirely relying on the information relayed on the website as it does not replace the role of an experienced medical practitioner. The disclaimer further lists the limitations of the site.
Privacy
People today value their privacy so much, given the rising cases of theft and misuse of private data. The AHN website guarantees the confidentiality of patient information by observing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. The website further provides specific details regarding cookies and tracking, personal information and its sharing, data security, communication practices, and information regarding children aged 13 years and below (American Health Network, n.d.). AHN expressly guarantees patients that information collected regarding their Social Security numbers (SSNs) is confidential and led according to the law. However, patients are cautioned that the system can be compromised, and their information may be intercepted.
Attribution
The principle refers to the link between the site and other websites, data referencing, and modification dates. AHN provides numerous resources to patients, presented in video form, articles, and blogs. There is no link or reference to external sources, and the relevance of the information can be enhanced by showing when it was published, updated, or modified.
Justifiability
The principle is founded on the need to use appropriate and balanced evidence to support the claims presented on the website. The AHN absolves itself from any harm that a patient or visitor may feel by using the information derived from the website. It indicates that it is not accountable for “any damages, losses or other expenses arising in connection with the American Health Network site” (American Health Network, n.d.). This covers links provided to other sites, which limits the justifiability of information on the site. This can be rectified by presenting health information that is complete and provided in an objective, balanced, and transparent manner.
Transparency
The principle rides on the accessibility and availability of support services on the website. Sewell (2016) indicates transparency can be analyzed through contact information, ease of site use, and a clear mission statement. The AHN website has enhanced its transparency by observing these precepts. It has provided contact information, which includes the location, local contact number, and a toll-free number. A user can easily navigate through the website, which indicates the organization’s mission statement to improve patients’ health.
Financial Disclosure
Financial disclosure relates to the source of funds to support the organization’s activities. The website makes numerous references to Medicare, indicating that this is the primary source of revenue. However, the website does not provide a report detailing the financial dealings involving Medicare. Financial disclosure can be enhanced by detailing the sources of funding and how they are used, even as the services offered involve independent practice.
Advertisement Policy
Advertising is a crucial source of revenue that mainly involves collecting and selling important data. The AHN website needs to indicate if any revenue is generated from advertising. While interacting with the website, no adverts or other promotional material were observed. The privacy policy means that third-party users and other technologies can collect and use user information. The website indicates that the information is used to “deliver targeted advertisements to you” (American Health Network, n.d.). The policy further indicates that users can opt out of such services or select the advertisements they can allow.
Conclusion
The AHN website provides valuable information and helps to link patients to independent medical doctors. The website follows most of the criteria for analyzing a website and provides key information to explain to users regarding key principles. Most of the principles have been observed, and users are guided on interacting with the presented I formation.
The website provides additional information in videos, articles, and blogs. Even though the information on the website may be challenging to read, it presents material information to patients. The website has a readability score that lies outside the Fry graph’s bounds and may not be appropriate for the intended audience (Readability Formulas, n.d.). The target population for the site is patients, and the overall impression is that it can meet their needs.
References
American Health Network. (n.d.). American Health Network: Who We Are. Web.
Readability Formulas. (n.d.). The fry graph and raygor graph readability tool. Web.
Sewell, J. P. (2016). Informatics and nursing: Opportunities and challenges. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.