At PainQuestions.net, we take the accuracy of our health content seriously. While we are not medical professionals, we have established rigorous processes to ensure that every piece of content meets high standards for accuracy, completeness, and usefulness.
Our Content Review Process
Step 1: Research & Source Collection
Before writing begins, we conduct thorough research using peer-reviewed medical literature, government health agencies, and established medical institutions. We prioritize sources published within the last 3 years to ensure current information.
Step 2: Content Creation
Content is created following our editorial guidelines, ensuring medical claims are supported by citations, language is accessible, and information is comprehensive yet understandable.
Step 3: Source Verification
Every citation is verified to ensure it accurately supports the claim being made. We check that sources are from reputable medical publications, government agencies, or established healthcare organizations.
Step 4: Accuracy Check
Content is reviewed to verify that medical information aligns with current guidelines from organizations like the CDC, NIH, and major medical institutions. Any statistical claims are double-checked against primary sources.
Step 5: Disclaimer & Safety Review
We ensure every article includes appropriate medical disclaimers, emergency warning boxes where relevant, and clear guidance on when to seek professional medical care.
Step 6: Publication & Monitoring
After publication, content is monitored for reader feedback and reviewed periodically to ensure information remains current as medical guidelines evolve.
Source Verification Standards
We use a tiered approach to source selection:
Primary Sources (Highest Priority)
- Peer-reviewed medical journals (JAMA, NEJM, The Lancet, BMJ)
- Government health agencies (CDC, NIH, FDA, WHO)
- Academic medical centers and their publications
- Original clinical research and meta-analyses
Secondary Sources (Supporting)
- Major medical institutions (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins)
- Professional medical associations (AMA, specialty associations)
- Established medical reference databases (MedlinePlus, Merck Manual)
Citation Requirements
Every article on PainQuestions.net includes 15-30 citations from authoritative medical sources. Statistical claims, treatment effectiveness rates, and diagnostic criteria must always be supported by primary research or official guidelines.
Content Update Policy
Medical knowledge evolves constantly. Our content update policy ensures information stays current:
- Scheduled Reviews: Articles are reviewed at regular intervals to check for outdated information
- Triggered Updates: When major guideline changes occur, affected articles are prioritized for updates
- Reader Feedback: We investigate and address reader-reported concerns about accuracy
- Date Transparency: Every article displays both its original publication date and last update date
Limitations & Transparency
We believe in complete transparency about what we can and cannot provide:
- We are a health information resource, not a medical practice
- Our content is educational and cannot replace professional medical consultation
- We cannot provide personalized medical advice or diagnoses
- Individual medical situations may differ from general information presented
For more details about our content standards, please see our Editorial Guidelines.