Clinical claims require honesty

Medical Review Policy

A medical-review label is meaningful only when a suitably qualified person has actually reviewed the content.

When review is most important

Diagnosis, treatment, medicines, urgent warning signs, pregnancy, sexual health, substance use and other high-risk topics ideally receive review from a qualified professional whose expertise matches the subject.

What medical review means

A reviewer checks factual accuracy, balance, clinical context, safety wording and whether recommendations match current guidance. Review does not create a personal clinician–patient relationship or replace individual care.

When no reviewer is available

We do not invent a review board or display “medically reviewed” without evidence. Instead, editors use authoritative first-party sources, narrow claims, state uncertainty and identify when professional assessment is appropriate.

Corrections and changing guidance

Reviewed status does not make an article permanently current. Guidance changes, so substantive updates require source review and a matching modified date.