Principle 2 - Purpose of the website
A statement clearly declaring that the information on the website is not meant to replace the advice of a health professional has to be provided.
A brief description of the website’s mission, purpose and intended audience is necessary.
Another brief description of the organisation behind the website, its mission and its purpose is also necessary.
The site must reflect its engagement to respect this principle in its editorial content. You can use a statement such as E.g. 'The information provided on [your web site] is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician.'
We believe that the patient-doctor relationship is not respected when consultations are made online. Therefore, excluded from the certification are sites offering "online consultations" in which diagnosis are made.
However, sites offering "online information," which only provide information and not a diagnosis, are allowed. In this case, we need an example of a typical response that a user may receive.
If this service is to be charged, the rate must be acceptable comparable to the rates of a local medical consultation.
Finally, we must specify the geographical limitations of this service. Indeed, it should be sold only to individuals residing in the website's country of origin.
Collaborative Websites:
A statement clearly declaring that the information on the platform is not meant to replace the advice of a health professional has to be provided. E.g. of such a statement is 'The information provided on [web 2.0 platform’s name] is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician.' The minimum age for the use or participation in these platforms must be clearly stated and strictly adhered to.