{"id":35229,"date":"2024-10-17T07:00:39","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T07:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=35229"},"modified":"2025-03-05T20:05:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T20:05:27","slug":"our-top-tips-for-understanding-health-information","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/our-top-tips-for-understanding-health-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Our top tips for understanding health information","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

How many times have you come across a post on social media touting some new health care treatment?<\/p>\n

Now the question is, what do you do with that information?<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re reading an article that raises some alarms or questions, you don\u2019t want to put all your trust in that one article,\u201d explains Gretchen LaSalle, MD<\/a>, a family medicine provider at MultiCare Rockwood Clinic. \u201cFor science\u2019s sake, you want to look at the overwhelming evidence, not just one piece. So, try looking it up from other sources and see if multiple people came to the same conclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n

That means doing some research and bringing questions to your doctor or other health care provider. When it comes to your health, though, it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n

What is health literacy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Health literacy is the ability to use available information to make informed decisions about you and your family\u2019s health care, explains Andrea Ball, MLS, MultiCare\u2019s research and education librarian.<\/p>\n

It goes beyond just knowing how to find quality information and understand it, she says. Ball breaks down health literacy into three categories:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Searching<\/strong>: Where to find quality, evidence-based health information<\/li>\n
  2. Evaluating<\/strong>: How to look at the information with a critical eye<\/li>\n
  3. Applying<\/strong>: Using that information to make informed health care decisions<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cGone are the days of that \u2018doctor knows best\u2019 approach,\u201d Dr. LaSalle says. \u201cPeople want to know about their health and expect to be partners. If they want to be that, they need to be informed.\u201d<\/p>\n

    You\u2019ll still need to put trust in your provider to lead you in the right direction, she adds.<\/p>\n

    Every patient is unique and even the most up-to-date, evidence-based information may not be applicable to your unique situation, Ball says. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to do your research and<\/strong> talk with your provider before making any decisions.<\/p>\n

    \u201cFrom the doctor\u2019s side, I want my patients to be educated,\u201d Dr. LaSalle says. \u201cI like when patients bring questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Tips for effective research<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Always question your sources, Dr. LaSalle says.<\/p>\n

    She recommends sticking to websites with a URL of .edu, .gov or .org. Or look for disease-specific sites or professional societies like the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, or American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.<\/p>\n

    Also make sure you\u2019re checking the date of the post or article, she adds. Things change quickly, and you want the most up-to-date information.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    How many times have you come across a post on social media touting some new health care treatment? Now the question is, what do you do with that information? \u201cIf you\u2019re reading an article that raises some alarms or questions, you don\u2019t want to put all your trust in that one article,\u201d explains Gretchen LaSalle, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":115,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[127,99],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-healthy-living","category-primary-care"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOur top tips for understanding health information - MultiCare Vitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Health literacy is the ability to conduct research and make informed health decisions. 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