OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to develop Internet health information evaluation checklist for medical professionals, web coordinators or managers, and general health information consumers.

METHODS: Based on the literature review, evaluation model and prototype of evaluation checklist for Internet health information were developed. Expert group of Internet quality evaluation reviewed and refined original evaluation checklist through intensive focus group meetings. Revised web-based evaluation checklist for Internet health information was verified by medical professionals, web health information managers, and online members of National Health Insurance Corporation.

RESULTS: The checklist for medical professionals consisted of 28 items to check 3 categories such as disease information, operation/procedure/examination information, and health/life pattern information. The checklist for health information managers focused on primary filtering of health information and consisted of 14 items. This can be utilized for automatic selection of health information in portal systems. The checklist for consumers consisted of 10 items and focused on convenience and utility of the evaluation tool for enhancing the acceptability.

CONCLUSION: Continuous development and revision of health information evaluation checklist like this study can be useful way for improving Internet health information quality.