• I Keep Six Honest Serving Men
• I Keep six honest serving-men
• (They taught me all I knew);
• Their names are What and Why and When
• And How and Where and Who.
• (by R. Kypling – The elephant’s child)

• Asking effective questions can fulfill your targets faster
• Ask using open questions to learn more about the situation or understand the conditions of an event better.
• These types of questions usually begin with words like: How/ What/ When/ Why/ Which/ Explain/ Describe
• Ask using closed questions can be useful too. Asking closed questions can save you a lot of time and provide you with direct feedback. These types of questions usually include words like: Are/ Did/ Do/ Should/ Could

• Trigger questions can extract information from people who may not be sharing everything they know with you.
• Some examples of probing questions include:
• "Who exactly did you speak with about this situation?"
• "How did you learn about this?“
• “What exactly do you mean?”

• Clarifying questions can verify that the content is communicated and is understood by everyone.
• Some examples of probing questions include:
• “Can I repeat the final decision to be sure that I have it correct?"
• “Can you please confirm that the next meeting is going to take place in June?“

• Effective feedback is important and promotes personal and professional development. See next a list of hints and tips on how to give positive feedback:
• Focused on the situation and not the person involved
• Be specific and simple
• Answer on time
• Your feedback needs to help improve the situation
• Always support your feedback with evidence based on the situation

• Right to rectification of data
• You can ask for the rectification of inaccurate personal data
• (e.g. in your medical record)

• Right to make a complaint
• If you have a breach of your data protection rights you can refer to the authorities
• and start a complaint procedure.
• If a data controller causes you damage, whether it is material or not, you have
• a right to be compensated.

• You can protect your computer and devices against malware by installing anti-virus software.

• Antivirus is a kind of software used to prevent, scan, detect and delete viruses from a computer.

• Once installed, most antivirus software runs automatically in the background to provide real-time protection against virus attacks.

Management of Health Information

Health literacy is the degree to which an individual can obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

“It is important to know how to reach and how to manage heath Information online”.

Access Health Information

Search engines

Health websites

Online health communities

Medical journals and databases

Telehealth platforms

Mobile apps

Online forums and discussion boards

Health education programs

Online health libraries

Social media

Management of Health Information

•Use secure and reliable platforms

•Keep your passwords secure

•Keep your information up-to-date

•Backup your information

•Share your information selectively

•Be aware of privacy policies

•Seek professional advice

Ability to understand, evaluate and prioritise health information

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Understanding Health Information

Health information is understood in various ways, depending on several factors, including:

•The person's background

•Education

•Culture

•Health literacy level.

Understanding Health Information

Health information is understood in different ways depending on factors such as:

•Health literacy level

•The format in which it is presented

•Effective communication and

•Personal beliefs and experiences

Understanding Health Information

The format in which health information is presented also plays a crucial role in how it is understood. Health information presented in plain language, with simple vocabulary, clear illustrations, and appropriate formatting, is easier to understand and more likely to be remembered.

Effective communication between healthcare providers and patients is also essential for the proper understanding of health information. Clear communication can help patients understand their health issues, treatment options, and potential outcomes.

Finally, personal beliefs, values, and experiences can shape a person's understanding of health information. For example, cultural differences can influence how people perceive and respond to health information, leading to different health behaviors and treatment choices.

Evaluating Health Information

•Consider the source: Check the website or author's credentials to ensure that they are qualified and reputable. Look for information provided by government agencies, academic institutions, and professional organizations.

•Check for bias: Evaluate whether the information presented is objective or whether it seems to have a particular agenda or bias. Be wary of sites that promote a particular product or service.

•Look for evidence: Look for references or citations to support the information provided. Evaluate whether the evidence cited is current, reliable, and relevant.

•Consider the tone and style: Evaluate whether the information presented is clear, understandable, and free from technical jargon. Look for sites that present information in a balanced and unbiased manner.

•Check for dates: Check the date of publication to ensure that the information is current and up-to-date.

Evaluating Health Information

•Cross-check with other sources: Check the information against other sources to verify its accuracy and reliability.

•Consult with a healthcare professional: Consult with a healthcare professional to get accurate information and advice about your specific health concerns.

•Look for a privacy policy: Ensure that the website has a privacy policy that outlines how they collect, use, and protect personal information. Avoid sites that do not have a privacy policy or that collect unnecessary personal information.

•Use fact-checking websites: Use fact-checking websites such as FactCheck.org or Snopes.com to verify the accuracy of information presented.

•Be cautious of personal anecdotes: Be cautious of personal anecdotes or stories that are presented as evidence. While they may be compelling, they do not necessarily represent a scientific or evidence-based approach.

•Be aware of pseudoscience: Be aware of pseudoscientific or alternative health websites that promote unproven or disproven treatments or therapies.

Evaluating Health Information

•Check for conflicts of interest: Look for any conflicts of interest or financial incentives that may be influencing the information presented. Be wary of sites that promote a particular product or service, particularly if they stand to profit from its promotion. Consult with a healthcare professional: Consult with a healthcare professional to get accurate information and advice about your specific health concerns.

•Consider the website design: Evaluate the website design to ensure that it is professional, easy to navigate, and free from distracting advertisements or pop-ups.

•Use your common sense: Use your common sense and trust your instincts. If the information presented seems too good to be true, or if you feel uncomfortable with the information presented, it's probably best to seek out alternative sources.

Means to Evaluate Health Information

•Health On the Net Foundation (HONcode) certification: This certification indicates that the website is reliable and trustworthy and meets specific criteria for providing accurate and authoritative health information.

•Trustworthy rating systems: Some search engines and websites use rating systems that evaluate the trustworthiness of websites based on various factors such as the quality and quantity of information, authority of sources, and objectivity.

•Quality criteria: Several organizations have established quality criteria for evaluating health information online, such as the DISCERN tool, which provides a systematic way to evaluate the quality of written health information.

•Online community and forums: Online communities and forums can be a valuable resource for sharing information and experiences, but it is important to be cautious of misinformation or personal anecdotes.

•Fact-checking websites: Fact-checking websites such as FactCheck.org or Snopes.com can be used to verify the accuracy of information presented.

•Consult with a healthcare professional: Consulting with a healthcare professional is always recommended to get accurate information and advice about your specific health concerns.

Prioritising Health Information

•Consider the source: Look for information from reputable sources such as government agencies, academic institutions, or recognized healthcare organizations. Avoid sources that are biased, unsupported, or unreliable.

•Check for references: Look for sources that provide references and citations for their information. This can help you verify the accuracy of the information and ensure that it is based on reliable sources.

•Look for peer-reviewed research: Look for information that is based on peer-reviewed research studies. Peer-reviewed studies have been evaluated and approved by other experts in the field and are more likely to be accurate and reliable.

•Check for the date: Look for information that is up-to-date and based on the most recent research and guidelines. Health information can change quickly, and outdated information may not be relevant or accurate.

•Consider the context: Consider the context of the information and how it applies to your specific health needs. Information that is general or vague may not be as helpful as information that is tailored to your specific health concerns.

Prioritising Health Information

•Consider multiple sources: Look for information from multiple sources to get a well-rounded perspective. Compare the information and identify common themes or areas of agreement.

•Consult with a healthcare professional: Consult with a healthcare professional to get personalized advice and guidance. A healthcare professional can help you prioritize and interpret the information you find online and provide recommendations that are specific to your health needs.

•Check for bias: Look for information that is unbiased and presents both sides of an issue. Be wary of information that is overly promotional or presents a one-sided view.

•Consider the language used: Look for information that is written in clear and understandable language. Avoid information that uses complex medical jargon or language that is difficult to understand.

•Look for information that is actionable: Look for information that provides practical advice or steps that you can take to improve your health. Avoid information that is purely theoretical or doesn't provide practical guidance.

Tools to prioritise Health Information

•Evaluation criteria: Use evaluation criteria to assess the quality of information you find online. The criteria include factors such as the author's qualifications, the date of publication, the sources cited, and the accuracy of the information. Look for information from reputable sources such as government agencies, academic institutions, and professional organizations.

•Health literacy tools: Use health literacy tools such as the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) or the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) to evaluate the clarity, relevance, and understandability of health information you find online.

•Health information portals: Visit health information portals such as MedlinePlus or Healthfinder.gov to access reliable and authoritative health information from government agencies and professional organizations.

•Search engine settings: Adjust your search engine settings to prioritize authoritative sources of information. For example, you can limit your search to government websites or academic institutions.

•Browser extensions: Use browser extensions such as Web of Trust or FakeSpot to identify potentially unreliable or misleading websites and sources of information.

•Trustworthy health apps: Use health apps that have been reviewed and recommended by trusted sources such as the American Heart Association or the National Institutes of Health.