Navigating the Online World of Health Information: A Comprehensive Guide

1. 1 LOS GATOS, CA | CAMPBELL, CA | SARATOGA, CA

2. 2 Navigating the Online World of Health Information: A Comprehensive Guide

3. 3 Introduction In a world that is currently inundated with health information, it is more crucial than ever to begin to discern which sources are credible as you make informed decisions about your own well-being. While there have been many benefits between the physician and patient relationship with patients being armed with more knowledge about their health, the quality of information that is now publicly available can be questioned on many accounts – which may lead to more struggles than benefits. The American Medical Association (AMA) has worked to develop principles to guide development and posting of web content

4. 4 Credibility Check Select Identifiable Sources: Does the information you are reviewing come with an identifiable source or author? Journals or web content from medical institutions or government health agencies are typically a source of credible information Credentials Matter: A credible source as defined by the National Academy of Medicine is “a source that offers high-quality information and employs a process to reduce conflict or interest, and promote transparency and accountability.” Beware of Red Flags: If the information primarily aims to sell a product, consider that this could be a possible conflict of interest and look elsewhere.

5. 5 How to Ensure Accuracy Assessment Scientific Evidence: Health information falls within the realm of the sciences, so when you are evaluating what you are viewing for credibility and accuracy it is important to look for scientific evidence. Source Verification: Check that the information you are reading cites its original source. When this occurs, you can be sure that the information is practicing transparency and reliability of information. Up-to-Date Information: Staying up to date in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare is vital. Outdated information in fields where developments occur frequently can cause undue stress and strain.

6. 6 Red Flags to Watch Out For Anonymous Information: Anything written from an anonymous source lacks accountability and is not following the standards of credibility. Ensure there is a clearly identified author of any article for an added layer of transparency and reliability. Conflict of Interest: Is the site you are visiting interested in selling a product? Consider this a red flag as the data presented on the site may be biased or one sided with the intent to sell. This is stated as a financial Conflict of Interest. Miraculous Claims: Any form of secret cures or miraculous claims without proper evidence, citations, references, or supporting evidence should be approached with caution. Credible health information is always built on a foundation of research, studies, and data. Poor Grammar and Spelling: Poor grammar or spelling errors can be a key indicator of poor quality control. This is a huge red flag as quality health information should always be presented professionally and accurately.

7. 7 Conclusion Always Ask Questions!: Asking questions and becoming familiar with the idea of questioning your sources will arm you with better tools to judge the credibility of sources. We are here at Los Gatos Doc for any questions you may have regarding your specific health questions. While the internet provides a wealth of information, nothing replaces the value of meeting with a general practitioner in Campbell who is specifically discussing your health based on up-to-date evidence and what is relevant to you. If you are needing a refresh on your own health journey, call and schedule your next wellness check with us today.

8. 8 OUR KEY PHILOSOPHY “ ” What I try and do with every patient I see, in the first few minutes, is just let them say what’s on their mind and there’s a lot of study that show we don’t do that enough in medicine. These are small things that you can’t pick up really from just filling out a form. That’s why it’s really important to spend time, talking and listening and building that relationship. ~ Dr. Arun Villivalam, M.D.

9. 9 SERVICES WE PROVIDE 01 05 Physicals – All Ages Blood Work A regular physical provides a record of your overall health and can be a useful tool in identifying any changes in your health.  Blood work is an important resource to help determine any conditions that could be causing the symptoms that are bringing a patient to the doctor, 02 06 Lifestyle / Stress Management Chronic Care Management Learn to manage stress by scheduling a wellness checkup and learn preventive strategies. Get medical care for preexisting or long term illnesses, such as asthma, hypertension, depression and cirrhosis.  03 07 Wellness Visits / School Physicals Women’s Health Best primary care physician in Los Gatos provides Womens Health screening from our practice in Los Gatos, CA A regular check up provides the opportunity to monitor your child’s growth and development and to safeguard against any potential issues.  04 08 Men’s Health Medicare Annual Wellness Visits Men’s health screenings will catch any conditions in early stages where preventative medicine can be used to treat or manage a condition before it progresses. Medicare encourages its members to review their health annually, and to take care of any potential medical concerns before they develop into something more serious. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque enim nisl, vulputate quis mi sed, dapibus hendrerit turpis. Praesent at volutpat neque, ut rutrum odio. Sed quis tincidunt dui, in vulputate arcu.

10. 10 MEET DR. ARUN VILLIVALAM Dr. Arun Villivalam is a concerned and caring family physician and primary care doctor serving the community of Los Gatos, CA. Dr. Villivalam attended Thomas Jefferson University, where he received his medical degree, and completed his residency in family medicine at Cook County Hospital.