Consumer Health Online -- Not One Size Fits All

Not One Size Fits All

Health care consumers are individuals, with unique information skills and needs as well as unique medical histories.

Online consumer health information has evolved (and continues to change!) to address the variety and range of questions.

Here are some of the wonderful but sometimes less well known consumer health resources available free on the Web.

Some of My Personal Favorites

Logos montage: FamilyDoctor, KidsHealth, healthfinder. Medem, NORD, MedlinePlus, Merck Manual, MedHelp, Netwellness

URLs for Some of the Best

AAFP: Family Doctor: http://familydoctor.org/

healthfinder: http://www.healthfinder.gov/

Kidshealth: http://www.kidshealth.org/

Med Help International: http://www.medhelp.org/GettingStarted.htm

Medem.com: http://medem.com/MedLB/medlib_entry.cfm

MedlinePlus: http://www.medlineplus.gov/

Merck Manual of Medical Information - Home Edition: http://www.merck.com/mmhe/index.html

National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD): http://www.rarediseases.org/

Netwellness: http://netwellness.org/

Question:

Do I need to see the doctor?

Is it OK to wait a while, or should I come in right away?

FamilyDoctor:

FamilyDoctor: Search by Symptom

healthfinder.gov

healthfinder - Online Checkups Collection

Merck Manual - A Standard Quick Reference Tool

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/index.html

Question:

I did a search in Google, but there is so much to look at! I don’t know where to start.

MedlinePlus

For the person with a new diagnosis

Or the person who is new to health information searching

MedlinePlus

Question:

I like my doctor to tell me what’s best. I don’t want to have to look hard. Can’t you just help me?

Medem - From Major Associations

Medem.com: http://medem.com/MedLB/medlib_entry.cfm

Medem - From Major Associations

American Academy of Ophthalmology

American Academy of Pediatrics

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

American Medical Association

American Psychiatric Association

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

… and many more …

MedlinePlus - For the Patient with a New Diagnosis

Question:

This isn’t a big deal -- I just want to know what some of these words mean. I didn’t want to bother you by asking. Or could you show me a picture? I don’t really understand where in my body this is .

healthfinder.gov

MedlinePlus

Question:

I looked at some of the sites that were recommended, but they were too simple -- I want more. Maybe not too much more, though.

Or …

Question:

I like to find my own information. I don’t like people to make up my mind for me. But I don’t want to waste time -- I want to find some good stuff quickly.

healthfinder - Specialized Consumer Health Search Tool

“ Search consumer health information using Google technology for the most relevant search results. This special search features information selected from over 300 U.S. government Web sites and 600 nonprofit organizations .”

MedStory

Medtory: http://www.medstory.com/

Question:

I’m going to be having a procedure done. The handouts the clinic gave me are fine, but I’m a little nervous and I’d really like to see a video or talk with someone who has had this done.

MedlinePlus - Interactive Tutorials & Surgery Videos

MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorial.html

MedlinePlus - Interactive Tutorials & Surgery Videos

MedlinePlus: Interactive Tutorial: Mammogram: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/mammogram/htm/index.htm

American Self-Help Clearinghouse

American Self-Help Clearinghouse: http://www.selfhelpgroups.org/ OR http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/

ACOR

Association of Cancer Online Resources: http://acor.org

Question:

I want a second opinion, but I don’t want my doctor to think I don’t trust him. I just want to feel more sure, understand better, and not take up all his time. It might take me a while to really understand all this.

MedHelp - When There are More Questions

Med Help International: http://www.medhelp.org/GettingStarted.htm

MedHelp - When There are More Questions

Med Help International: Partners: http://www.medhelp.org/medical_partners.htm

American Academy of Opthalmology

Cleveland Clinic

Cornell University

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International

National Jewish Medical and Research Center

Partners HealthCare

USF Health

NetWellness

NetWellness: http://netwellness.org

Question:

It’s not me -- it’s my kid. I can’t figure out how to explain to him what’s happening.

KidsHealth - For Parents, Teens, and Kids

Kidshealth: http://www.kidshealth.org/

Kids.gov: Health

Kids.gov: Health: http://www.kids.gov/k_health.htm

Question:

When possible, I like to avoid drugs. I use mostly herbs and alternative or complementary treatments. I heard that some of these can interfere with the drugs you’ve prescribed. How can I learn more?

About Herbs (MSKCC)

MSKCC: About Herbs: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm

MD Anderson: CIMER

MD Anderson: CIMER: http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer/

MD Anderson: CIMER

MD Anderson: CIMER: http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer/

Reviews of Therapy

Question:

You know that what’s wrong with me isn’t something that is easy to understand or that turns up with a quick search. I already tried that. You folks are great, but I want to talk to some other people like me or find information beyond what you’ve given me. Isn’t there some place I can start?

NORD - For Rare Diseases or Uncommon Health Concerns

National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD): http://www.rarediseases.org/

Question:

I heard about a treatment for my condition in the news. What’s the scoop on that? (IE: What is the latest information on omega 3 fatty acids for mental health treatment?)

ScienceDaily: Health

ScienceDaily: Health: http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/

Question:

I want to know everything possible. How would you look for information on this? Where would you go?

--> These days many people search PubMed, Guidelines.gov, eMedicine and other resources intended primarily for the practicing clinician. How these are or are not integrated into the patient-practitioner relationship must be a matter of judgment related to the particular situation in which the question arises.