"Our study shows that features of Web site credibility have only slight or at best moderate correlation with accuracy of information in five common health topics," said Khalid Khan of Birmingham Women's Hospital in England. In an effort to collect data on the consumer impact of online health information, scientists at Germany's University of Heidelberg have launched the Database of Adverse Events Related to the Internet. The researchers say they are not suggesting the Internet is harmful to patients, but believe qualitative data is needed to assess any risks involved in consumer's using the Internet for health information.

[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Reuters via TAD consortium]