Quality of health information on the internet (QHII)
Health Website Ratings (HWR) project: Phase-III plan
The purpose of Phase-III of the health website ratings (HWR) project was to rate the first wave of health websites. It constituted a pilot test of methods and processes for rating health websites, and displaying resultant ratings.
In Phase-III, in collaboration with Consumer Reports WebWatch (CRW), Health Improvement Institute (HII):
- Finalized/tested health website rating worksheets, based on the results of Phase-II
- Selected the first wave of health websites to be rated
- Credentialed raters and selected and assigned credentialed raters to panels
- Rated the first wave of health websites
- Displayed/published resultant ratings
- Publicized ratings to educate consumers about the project and to encourage feedback on their utility
- Reviewed/revised methodology in light of needs, experience, and raters' feedback (preparatory to undertaking Phase-IV).
The first wave of health website ratings focused on "health information websites:"
- Consumer Reports WebWatch (CRW) contracted with Nielson to provide a list of the most-visited health websites.
- The Institute developed criteria to identify "health information sites."
- CRW staff applied these criteria to the Nielson-supplied list of most-visited health websites to identify the top 20 most-trafficked health information websites to be rated in the first wave of ratings.
- Panels of 3 Institute-credentialed health professionals completed rating worksheets using information contained in or available by viewing the website.
- On June 9, 2006, CRW/HII announced resultant ratings at the CRW conference, "Trust or consequence," and published them on www.healthratings.org.
To view/download presentations, reports, etc
To view Phase-II plan
To view Phase-IV plan
To view project plan/links
