A basic overview of WebMD's 3 key features, presented for a somewhat Internet-literate audience of 18-54 year old library users. Covers health topics, medicine entries, pill identifier, and symptom checker. Made for MLIS 704, fall 2016.

1. Information without Panic
Faith Eichhorst
MLIS 704

2. Source:
http://www.quickmeme.com/WebMD
https://memeexplorer.com/internet-memes/i-dont-
always/i-dont-always-look-at-webmd/1053

3.  WebMD is the leading health publisher in the
United States
 206 million unique users every month
 Accredited since 2001for health content,
security, and privacy
 Award-winning medical information
 Over 100 doctors and health experts
nationwide provide content
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/about-webmd-
policies/about-who-we-are
http://www.webmd.com/about-webmd-
policies/awards
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebMD
https://accreditnet2.urac.org/UracPortal/Directo
ry/CompanyView/2774/

4.  They can be fun and useful
 They can also increase stress by listing too
many things to worry about
 They’re used as a way to increase page views
and engage visitors but aren’t central to
WebMD’s main purpose

5.  Health A-Z
 Drugs & Supplements
 Symptom Checker

7.  Link is found at the top of the WebMD
homepage, just next to the logo on the far
left
 “Common Topics” is good for browsing, but
when researching a particular condition, click
on “Health A-Z” for the most information
 This will allow you to browse a complete
directory of every medical condition that has
an entry, from A1AT (alpha-1 antitrypsin)
deficiency to Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES)
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/health-
topics/default.htm

8.  Each entry will take
you through the
basic information
you’ll need to
understand/identify
symptoms, know
who to talk to and
when, treatment
options, long-term
prognosis, and
outside sources for
additional
information or
support. Each entry
can also be read out
loud by the
computer.
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/alpha-1-
antitrypsin-deficiency-rare#1

9.  Major topics will
have a “Health
Center”- essentially
a site within a site,
that offers all the
information of a
basic entry but with
extra resources,
articles, related
conditions,
message boards,
and suggested
search terms
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/alpha-1-
antitrypsin-deficiency-rare#1

11.  Link is found at the top of the WebMD
homepage, along the top bar
 “Find a Drug” allows a search by other drug
name (either generic or name brand) or
condition
 Users can learn more about a drug they were
just prescribed or browse the medicines
recommended most for a particular condition
 The “Pill Identification Tool” is also extremely
useful
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx

12.  If unsure about the
spelling of a drug,
the search box will
suggest auto-
completes while
typing or the
“Drugs &
Medications A-Z”
provides easy
browsing
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx

13.  If unsure of spelling
or the drop-down
suggestions, type
in what is known of
the medicine name
and then an asterix
“*” to find all
medications that
begin with those
letters.
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/search.aspx?stype=
drug&query=lisinopr*&source=2

14. Source:
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6873-
9371/lisinopril-oral/lisinopril---oral/details
 Each medication’s
entry will include
uses, side effects,
precautions,
interactions,
overdose
information,
images, and user
reviews.

15. Source:
http://www.webmd.com/my-medicine/default.htm#
 Selecting “I want to
save to My
Medicine” will take
users to a feature
where they can
check interactions
between different
medicines, or
medicines and
vitamins or
supplements.

16. Source:
http://www.webmd.com/pill-
identification/default.htm#
 The “Pill
Identification Tool”
is also an
invaluable way to
quickly identify a
medication,
particularly in the
event of a spill or
unmarked bottles.

17. Source:
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx
 The Drugs &
Supplements search
can also be used to
see which
medications are
recommended for
different
conditions.

19.  Link is found at the top of the WebMD
homepage, above the main bar
 A unique feature among medical sites and
can be complicated
 Zip code and e-mail address are entirely
optional; zipcode is used to recommend
relevant doctors nearby
Source:
http://symptoms.webmd.com/default.htm#introView

20.  Click on the body
part(s) that is in pain,
select symptom(s), and
choose a possible
condition to explore.
Source:
http://symptoms.webmd.com/default.htm#sympto
msView

21. Source:
http://symptoms.webmd.com/default.htm#sympto
msView
 Common complaints,
such as sore throat,
may prompt a brief
survey to add more
details.

22. Source:
http://symptoms.webmd.com/default.htm#sympto
msView
 Select a result (ranked
by match) to view the
full entry.
 Similar to Health A-Z,
each entry will provide
an overview,
symptoms, risk
factors, prevalence,
prevention, treatment,
when to see a doctor,
and more.
 Browse other possible
conditions or edit
symptoms for more
answers.

23.  WebMD is not a substitute for proper medical
advice
 Some skeptics even think it deliberately
exaggerates the severity of potential conditions
in order to encourage users to follow-up with a
real healthcare provider
 Approaching a medical issue from multiple
angles- name of condition or medicine, a
combination of symptoms, or just identifying the
medicine taken by a friend or relative can go a
long way towards building confidence in one’s
own self care and health

24.  WebMD - Better information. Better health. (n.d.).
Retrieved October 29, 2016, from
http://www.webmd.com/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebMD
 https://accreditnet2.urac.org/UracPortal/Direct
ory/CompanyView/2774/
 http://www.quickmeme.com/WebMD
 https://memeexplorer.com/internet-memes/i-
dont-always/i-dont-always-look-at-
webmd/1053
