Accessing information from trusted sources can help you feel more prepared, confident and self-assured. Yet, the abundance of information can also be overwhelming, time-consuming and confusing. So, how can you find reliable information sources?
Feeling confident in the medical team providing care is important and finding the right healthcare professional can take time.
A neurologist commonly plays a key role in the medical care of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) providing tailored information, diagnostic tests, treatment options and symptom management.
MS Nurses and allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and exercise physiologists can also provide valuable information, guidance, and education.
If you think the person that you’re supporting isn’t feeling confident or comfortable with their team, there are options such as:
• Talking to the healthcare provider to address any concerns
• Providing patient feedback to the healthcare service
• Consider seeking a second opinion.
These options are the responsibility of the person with MS. However, you can be there to support them and help them to make informed decisions by gathering background information if they are comfortable with you doing so.
Searching for health information online can be useful to educate yourself and find local support and services.
When searching for reliable medical information, keep these tips in mind:
Check the source: Look for information from reputable sources like government health agencies (e.g., healthdirect.gov.au), medical associations, and respected hospitals or universities.
Expert Authors: Make sure the content is written or reviewed by qualified medical professionals and experts in the field. Articles that are written by multiple authors from multiple organisations represent cross-collaboration, so they tend to reflect more accountable and robust research.
Up to date: Check publication and website dates to confirm the information is current and relevant.
References: Reliable articles often provide sources and references for their information. This shows they're based on solid research.
Avoid bias: Be cautious of websites promoting miracle cures or overly sensationalized content. Stick to balanced and evidence-based information.
Domain: Websites with domains ending in ".gov" or ".edu" are generally trustworthy sources.
Cross-reference: Verify the information you find by cross-referencing with other reputable sources; this may be a health care professional or another website.
Transparency: Trustworthy sources are transparent about their affiliations, authors and funding sources.
Ask your doctor: When in doubt, bring the information you've found to your healthcare provider for their expert opinion.
Stay curious, but also critical! It's worthwhile taking the time to ensure you're getting accurate and reliable information. If something doesn’t quite feel right, it probably isn’t.
More resources are available in our Carers, Family & Friends Toolkit
Are you a carer of someone with MS? Or might be one in the future? MS Social Work Advisor, Catherine Smith discusses the varied roles of the carer and the key underlying principles universal to all carers. She also offers tips for self-care and carer support options.
Connecting with the right people and having the support of those people around you can make a big difference Your support team might consist of one or two people or several people, depending on your needs.
Linda Rowley, mental health consultant, delves into the complexities of mental health for carers, focusing on the overlooked experience of ambiguous loss. Linda discusses the importance of acknowledging these emotions, how to find meaning and hope, as well as the need for compassion and self-care for carers.
