Health Portal - Your Guide to Medical Information

Many people are looking for a reliable way through the vast amount of health information available. Health portals provide just that: reliable information on diseases, therapies, and prevention. The Health Knowledge Foundation helps improve health literacy.

The National Health Portal makes scientific findings easy to understand. It collaborates with experts from medicine, media studies, and psychology to provide users with reliable health information.

Health portals offer information on a wide range of topics, such as headaches in children or rare diseases. They also have multilingual resources, including videos for caregivers in eight languages. This makes them true guides in the healthcare system.

What is a Health Portal and Its Importance

A health portal is a digital platform that provides independent health information. The National Health Portal in Germany has been online since September 2020. It offers content in five languages and reaches approximately 12.8 million users annually.

Independent Scientific Foundations

Health portals are based on scientific medicine. They collaborate with reputable institutions like the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Experts create and review the content to achieve high-quality standards.

Quality Standards and Expert Knowledge

The National Health Portal prioritizes quality. From 2020 to 2022, approximately 10.55 million euros were spent on development. For 2023 and 2024, 1.5 million euros are allocated for operations each year. Experts from various fields create and review the content.

Role in Modern Health Prevention

Health portals are important for health prevention. They provide reliable information on diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases. They also address topics such as caregiving, prevention, and digitalization.

The portal meets modern technical standards and is designed to be accessible, ensuring all users can access important health information.

Developing Digital Health Literacy

Today, digital health literacy is very important. It helps us find and use online health information. The internet is a significant source of health info, with 77 percent of Germans using it for this purpose.

Digital health offers many benefits. However, a study shows that 54 percent of Germans have difficulty understanding health information. This is where health literacy comes into play. It helps us utilize digital technologies for our health.

The Federal Ministry of Health supports strengthening health literacy. It aims to improve communication skills in healthcare. Experts emphasize the importance of media literacy when it comes to digital health information. Portals like gesund-im-netz.net assist in finding reliable information.

Reliable Online Research on Health Topics

Today, many people search for health information online. In Germany, two-thirds of people use the internet for health-related questions. It is essential to know good search strategies to find reliable information.

Search Strategies for Medical Information

When searching for health information, caution is needed. Search engines often display advertisements. Trustworthy sources are clear and explain medical terms well.

The best portals name authors, dates, and sources, so you know where the information comes from.

Evaluating Health Information

To evaluate health information, critical thinking is necessary. Good providers are ad-free and disclose their funding sources. They explain how content is created and cite scientific sources.

Trustworthy sites also state that they do not replace a doctor's visit, which is important to know.

AI in Healthcare

AI helps in searching for health information. Recommended portals include gesund.bund.de, gesundheitsinformation.de, and patienten-information.de. These provide current information and highlight possible risks.

Optimizing Doctor-Patient Communication

Good communication between doctors and patients is crucial. Many people struggle to understand what the doctor says, often due to technical jargon.

Doctors often interrupt patients after only 18 seconds, which means important information is lost. Patients need time to understand everything. Health portals can help them prepare.

In Germany, many initiatives aim to improve communication, such as the "Share to Care" project at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, which trains doctors on how to communicate better with patients. In Bavaria, the "Bavaria goes SDM" initiative promotes shared decision-making.

Empathetic communication can help patients cope better with treatment. Doctors should speak clearly and simply, and be able to empathize with patients. Body language is also important to convey calmness and understanding.

Health Apps and Digital Applications

Health apps are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Since October 2020, doctors have been able to prescribe apps. Health insurance companies cover the costs if the apps are listed in the Federal Institute's directory.

Evaluating the Trustworthiness of Health Apps

When testing apps, credibility is essential. DiGA must adhere to strict safety and data protection regulations. The Federal Ministry of Health oversees the directory, and there are also independent apps whose pros and cons should be considered.

Integration into Everyday Healthcare

Digital health applications assist in disease management and make daily life easier for caregivers. For instance, there are apps to prevent falls or VR applications for seniors.

These tools can enhance quality of life and help individuals maintain independence.

Quality Criteria for Health Information

Quality criteria are vital for evaluating health information on the internet. Reliable portals provide information based on the latest scientific studies. They are transparent, clearly displaying sources and the date of creation.

Scientific Foundation

Important health portals are based on expertise. Qualified experts provide tips and information that are well-founded and easy to understand.

Timeliness and Transparency

Quality seals indicate that information is current and reliable. Transparency is crucial for distinguishing between advertising and editorial content. Users can provide feedback to improve information.

Independence of Information

Independence is a key criterion. Reputable providers disclose their funding sources. Seals from organizations like the Action Forum confirm quality. Good portals can also be found without seals.

Utilizing Multilingual Health Resources

Many people in Germany come from diverse linguistic backgrounds. About 23.6 percent of the population has a migration background, with this figure rising to 40 percent in some western German cities. For inclusive health communication, multilingual health information is therefore essential.

International health resources help break down language barriers, enabling individuals with limited German proficiency to access reliable health information. This is particularly important as studies show that migrants often face higher health risks. For example, children and adolescents with migration backgrounds frequently suffer from obesity and mental health issues.

Multilingual offerings promote health equity, helping to address disparities in burdens, resources, and behaviors. Thus, all population groups can equally benefit from health promotion and prevention. The National Health Portal plays a significant role in providing trustworthy information in various languages.

FAQ

What is a health portal?

A health portal is an online platform that offers reliable medical information, such as IQWiG and the National Health Portal.

What do the information on health portals rely on?

Information in health portals like IQWiG and the National Health Portal is based on scientific research and adheres to international standards. Experts from science and medicine help provide substantiated information.

What does digital health literacy mean?

Digital health literacy refers to the ability to find and utilize health information online, focusing on using digital technologies for personal health.

How can reliable online searches for health topics be conducted?

Effective search strategies should be applied. It is important to think critically and identify reputable sources. Artificial intelligence can also assist.

How can health portals improve doctor-patient communication?

Health portals help prepare for doctor visits and support patients in making informed decisions, enhancing their understanding of healthcare.

How do you assess the credibility of health apps?

The credibility of health apps must be evaluated. Health portals provide guidance on how to assess health apps and help users utilize them effectively in their daily lives.

What are the quality criteria for health information?

Good health information is scientifically grounded and up-to-date. It must be transparent. Independence, as affirmed by IQWiG and the National Health Portal, is crucial.

Why are multilingual health resources important?

Multilingual health resources are accessible to everyone, helping individuals with different language backgrounds find health information. This fosters more inclusive health communication.