In five pages this paper examines how 4 medical websites present information on osteoarthritis. Four sources are cited in the bibliography.
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ties to the medical community, others have no such substantiation in connection with their advice. When assessing which web sites contains helpful, accurate and safe information, one must first
establish the supportive body behind the location; if there is no easily accessible and reliable underlying source, such as the American Medical Association, it would not be prudent for an
individual to accept any advice from these sites as being trustworthy. Of the myriad web sites that offer consumers and caregivers alike the opportunity to learn about osteoarthritis, ten
in particular stand out as being quite reliable: 1. www.webmd.com 2. www.medscape.com 3. www.arthritis.org 4. www.medinfo.co.uk 5. www.mayohealth.org 6. www.pslgroup.com 7. www.medwebplus.com 8. www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/HealthGazette/index.html 9. www.aarp.com 10. www.americanmedicalassociation.org Among this list
of medical web sites are some familiar names as well as those not so recognizable. Even though one might not readily identify a particular site that does not necessarily
negate its trustworthiness. The content of WebMDs web site is indicative of the medical communitys strong desire to offer clear, concise and consumer-friendly material on osteoarthritis. Targeting the
content to young and old alike, one of the sites primarily appealing attributes is the fact that there is something for everyone to learn about the painful affliction. In
most cases, trying not to aggravate the inflamed joint by reducing excessive movement is about all that can be done" (Airone, 2000). Even if a particular individual has but
precious little background knowledge of osteoarthritis, the content provided on this web site quickly and thoroughly educates the uninformed consumer. Another consumer-oriented site
about osteoarthritis is www.arthritis.org, the official Internet presence of the Arthritis Foundation. Clearly, the information found upon this particular web site is fully validated for accuracy and authenticity, inasmuch