Patient Education (Independent Study Assignment)

Find a web site, using a search engine or a site you are familiar with, that contains patient education information that is relevant to a surgical patient, such as a specific surgical procedure. Evaluate the site using the critieria listed below:
1. accuracy: is the information accuate? Is the information source clearly stated? Does the information have a date? Does the website have an HON rating?
2. authority: whose website is it? If an author is identified, what credentials are offiered to establish credibility? is contact information provided so you can reach teh author or publisher?
3. Currency: Is the information up-to-date? When was it first posted and how recently was it updated? To gauge currency, compare the infomation with that availablet hrough other sources and check out hyperlinks.
4. Coverage: What topics are covered and how complete is the coverage? Do hyperlinks connect to other reliable sites? Is the informaiton presented well, with a balance of text & grapics? Do the graphics teach something or are they just balance of text & graphics? Do the graphics teach something or are they just docroative? Is the information written at a level that a patient could understand?

In concluding your review, list your recommendations about this site in the context of the important concept of health literacy. Be sure to define health literacy and suggest whether this website conforms, in general, to such a definition. Do you approve without changes and if so, why? If not, then what changes would you recommend?