Healthline Wellness Wire

IN a nutshell

Happy Friday and National Doctors Day, everyone. As the world’s leading health information website, medical integrity and accuracy are a big deal for us at Healthline. Our internal team of healthcare professionals works hard every day to uphold these values and make sure we give you everything you need to know to live your happiest, healthiest lives!

In honor of medical integrity, we sat down with our Head of Medical Affairs, Jenny Yu, MD, FACS, for today’s Q&A. Scroll down to learn more about her role at Healthline as well as our fact-checking and medical integrity processes.

Today, we’re also talking about:

•	a helpful service for finding doctor reviews and better healthcare

•	how to not quit going to the doctor after a bad experience

•	the Harvard Diet, which may help you live 20% longer

Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota
March 31, 2023 • 5 min read

You know how Healthline articles often say “Medically reviewed by [name]”? You can thank Jenny Yu, MD, FACS, and her team for that. Yu’s team ensures medical integrity across all of our content, products, and services. In her very own words, the Medical Affairs network “champions for evidence-based science, sources, and context for our readers so that the legwork is done for them in finding credible information.” Shout-out to our list of incredible experts who help us do this every day!

Below, Yu talks about how to feel more empowered when reading articles or seeing a doctor.

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q:	When you see a health-related post on social media that you want to make sure is true, how do you go about fact-checking it? Which sites do you visit?

A: An obvious one is Healthline because I know we’ve done the legwork for our readers. But I’m also a science nerd, so I’m on sites such as PubMed, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) digging into studies, guidelines, and analyzing the evidence.

Q:	Many young people now get their health information from social media, especially TikTok. Do you think there’s any upside to social media when it comes to helping people with their health?

A: Humans are social animals, and social media helps people feel connected. It’s a space to share lived experiences. In that connection, people are finding community for dealing with health issues. That’s the upside.

Q:	How does Healthline ensure the medical integrity and accuracy of our content? What makes us different from influencers on TikTok?

A: All of our information is medically reviewed by experts –– physicians, nurses, psychologists, etc. The credentialed experts are reviewing for accuracy and context.

I know it’s difficult to decipher medical information. At Healthline, the collaboration of the medical and editorial teams is making sure that science is presented in an engaging and relatable way.

Q:	Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for folks who fear going to the doctor, for whatever reason?

A: As with anything else, you need to find the right connection. Use your friends and family network [and] trusted sites to understand the expertise. But if you don’t feel that you’re connected, it’s OK to seek care somewhere else. Fear melts away when you have found comfort in your doctor.

Learn more about our Medical Affairs network. To join communities for folks living with certain chronic conditions like yourself, consider checking out Bezzy.

great finds

Editor faves with health perks

Healthgrades

Sick of searching for a doctor only to find disorganized reviews and mixed information? Next time, try searching with Healthgrades. The site’s massive database of healthcare professionals includes reviews left by patients, so you can gain valuable insight into a professional’s history and style of care before going yourself.

From acupuncturists and endodontists to vascular surgeries and midwifery, Healthgrades is a one-stop shop for all of your healthcare needs. You can browse by specialties, conditions, or procedures and schedule appointments right within the platform.

Scroll down to check out your chance to win a prize by reviewing a doctor below!

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Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Healthgrades are owned by RVO Health.

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Weird Science

Don’t give up after a bad doctor’s visit! Stay strong with these 5 tips

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a terrible experience at the doctor. If your hands are up in the air, you’re not alone. Mine are, too. I’ve experienced medical gaslighting after traumatic injuries during procedures gone wrong, and I know just how upsetting and discouraging it can feel.

The easy “solution” would be to throw in the towel and never see a doctor again after something like that. But that’s not a solution at all. By skipping out on regular screenings and checkups, you could risk forgoing necessary care. On that note, it’s important to overcome our fears and keep going –– our health and lives literally depend on it.

Remember these five tips to keep going when you feel like giving up:

•	Seek the support of a therapist to help you process and manage your worries.
•	Get a second opinion if you don’t like how your first visit went.
•	Keep searching for competent doctors and healthcare allies.
•	Learn how to better advocate for yourself and your needs.
•	Join support groups or talk with supportive loved ones.

health stories you need

What we’re reading next

🍎 ️️️The Harvard Diet for longevity. A new study found that four specific diets are linked with a longer life span, including the Harvard Diet. We define what it is and why it’s so healthy.

❤️‍🩹 Signs that a heart attack may be in your near future. Early detection can save your life. Check out this list of early heart attack signs and learn how to respond to them to reduce your risk.

💪 Reasons you shouldn’t use weights to increase your penis size. Penis weights are *not* a safe way to enlarge your genitals. If you’re still considering it, read this article to learn the risks.

👁 ️️️All about LASIK procedures. Looking into ways to score clearer vision? Take a peek at our guide to LASIK, including risks, eligibility requirements, the recovery process, and FAQs.

Thanks for reading! We hope you have a great weekend. See you on Monday for a lighter, less clinical-themed newsletter.

Did you enjoy this interview?

Until next time,

Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon!

This edition was powered by

Healthline’s Medical Affairs team.

Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.

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Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.