Issues with starting an information-based website?

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2016

How would you differentiate this from the many sites directed at the average consumer/layperson, such as WebMD, medical info sites from large health systems, etc.

Is there something unique that your site would bring to the table, to attract enough readership and advertising to support such a venture?

mtlnurse · Apr 30, 2016

I would first have a good web design - I have an idea of a layout that would be easy to use and navigate. I also have an idea for a catchy name/logo.

I want to build the website in a magazine-like format, not necessarily as a guide for A-to-Z diseases. I think that on those big medical websites people can get lost very easily, and many viewers criticize their commercial aspect (as they are promoting particular drugs and companies). I would explain to people simple concepts about the human body, in a easy casual language. I would add some fun facts (like the fact that deers do not have gallbladders!) I also feel like those health websites focus so much on weight loss, exercise, and sex, but those won't be the focus of this one.

I also wondered about sharing some tips about daily life, such as what to do if you cut yourself, is it better to put heat or ice on a painful joint, what's the difference between colds and flus, etc.

I don't intend on building a website like webmd or medline, but a charming, accessible, and easy to read website.

mtlnurse · Apr 30, 2016

Does anyone has any knowledge regarding legal issues involved in giving information on the internet?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 30, 2016

Does anyone has any knowledge regarding legal issues involved in giving information on the internet?

You need to consult an attorney for such advise. Perhaps a nurse attorney such as one from the American association of nurse attorneys (TAANA Executive Office - Home) there are disclaimers and you also need credibility.

There are hundreds of disease specific organizations that have excellent consumer targeted information regarding the condition.

Are you seeking this for revenue? Then you will need ads and click through which is what you say commercializes. Few will pay for access to generalist information sites when there are multitudes of free websites available on the Internet. Plus search engine optimization and other technical skills most don't think of. It's not free to set up and host a website. You need to pay for a domain name and if you are late in your domain fees anyone can grab your site name from you without notice

Honestly when I read your description I thought of WebMD,

WebMD Common Health Topics A-Z - Find reliable health and medical information on common topics from A to Z

Mayo Clinic:

Patient Care and Health Information - Patient Care and Health Information - Mayo Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

Diseases & Conditions | Cleveland Clinic

And others

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 30, 2016

Anybody can sue anyone for any reason. The judge doesn't have to proceed with the case but it's expensive just to started

lavenderskies, BSN · Apr 30, 2016

I think there are a lot of other ways to put yourself to use. There are already a million and one ways for lay people to get that information and if they have not chosen to do so it is unlikely that you having one more way is going to solve the problem of ignorance.

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · May 1, 2016

Honestly, I would focus on educating your patients, instead of the general population. I feel we have more than enough web sites where the general public can go to learn about diseases and condition, meds, etc. And sadly, instead of educating some, it just makes them paranoid about a disease process they don't have.

Perhaps you can work with whatever facility you work at to improve ways of educating patients. Providing information to the lay public isn't necessarily going to educate them (how are you going to assess for deficits?) Working with your patients, you have the opportunity it assess for deficits, additional needs and probably stand a better chance of the education sticking.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · May 1, 2016

The Internet is overloaded with sites just like the OP is trying to design, with quality anywhere from awesome to awful. Every second blogger seems to post something more or less health related. Lack of information is not a problem; the problem is that people cannot use it.

While everybody might be sued for anything, unless the site DIRECTLY discusses diseases and treatments (and so promotes drugs, etc) or uses copyrighted materials, it seems unlikely to get into much of hot water. Otherwise, all these blogs describing and promoting ridiculous health benefits/lack of them of everything under the sun, "ancient" ways of giving birth, cosmetics of biblical times, etc., etc., would disappear pretty soon, and that would be just GREAT.

I think that mass education is failing miserably precisely because of the way it is designed - that is, one size should fit most. Meanwhile, in many urban communities up to 30% of adults are functionally illiterate - meaning that 30% of adult people are not able to read and understand text written on 6 level grade of ordinary public school. I was able, multiple times, to teach basically illiterate and scared to death of everything even remotely looking like "science" people things like gate theory of pain perception. But it is extremely slow, very personalized process where a lot of creative descriptions and as less of hard science as possible need to be used. I, too, think that concentrating on every single patient and family and their individual learning needs would be more effective than creation of yet another online site.