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Health InfoNet Resources for Librarians

This page contains resources for librarians, including links to medical and health Web sites, as well as search tips on finding useful health information online.

 

 Finding Health Information on the Internet - Tips and Tricks

 
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Start with a reliable, general health "gateway" site, such as the National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus.

Use a general search engine, such as Google, only after you've tried reliable sources you're familiar with.
Google Tips:
  • Put phrases in quotes (e.g., "heart attack")
  • Use ~ for synonyms (e.g., "~teen")
  • Use | or OR (e.g., "tumor | cancer)
  • Use Google to search specific sites or domains (e.g., "site:CDC.gov," "site:edu")
  • Refine search (e.g., "for patients," "from medical authorities")

Other Resources:

Libraries:  Visit the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) public library directory or call them at 1-800-723-8459. Or you can contact the UAB Lister Hill Library at 205-934-2230, or the USA Biomedical Library at 251-460-7044.
 
Voluntary health organizations and professional associations:  Consult the MedlinePlus Directories page, or consult the Gale Encyclopedia of Associations, available at your local library.
 

Support/Discussion groups:  Check the American Self-Help Clearinghouse Self-Help Sourcebook Online.

Documents for Download:
 

 Medical & Health Web Sites

 

American Medical Association (AMA)
AMA Doctor Finder
Free online directories of physicians and specialists, both AMA members and non-members. 

Center Watch Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials.Gov
Both of these sites provide information about ongoing clinical trials, searchable by keyword and location.
 
Genetics Home Reference
The National Library of Medicine's website for consumer information about genetic conditions and the genes or chromosomes responsible for these conditions.
 
HealthCare.gov
Confused about the new health reform law? This extremely helpful site is produced by the U.S. Health & Human Services Department to clarify for consumers the law's features. Includes a tool for finding and comparing available health insurance coverage by state and individual characteristics - it also includes current prices, updated monthly.
 
Healthfinder
Gateway website to health information on the Internet produced by the U.S. government.
 
Health InfoNet of Alabama
Free consumer health information service of the public and medical libraries across Alabama. Website includes a comprehensive database of health services in the state.
 
Health News Review
Reviews health stories in the news for "accuracy, balance and completeness." Funded by the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making.
 
Hospital Compare
Quality evaluation tool for consumers regarding hospital inpatient and outpatient care.
 
KidsHealth.org
Excellent pediatric consumer health information, aimed at parents, children or teens.
 
Mayo Clinic.com
Consumer health information website produced by Mayo Clinic.
 
MedlinePlus
Links to quality-filtered, up-to-date health information on a wide variety of health issues from the National Library of Medicine.
 
National Guideline Clearinghouse
Guidelines from leading health organizations and professional associations regarding the state of the art in treating different health conditions. Full text available as well as "guideline comparisons" between different authorities.
 
NCCAM
Government site providing authoritative information on complementary and alternative medicine.
 
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Information, advocacy and support for patients with rare disorders and their families. UAB Lister Hill Library has a subscription to the full Rare Diseases Database.
 
PubMed (Medline)
The National Library of Medicine's premium bibliographic databases of medical literature.
 
Quackwatch
Dr. Stephen Barrett's no holds barred expose of non-evidence-based alternative treatments and devices.
 
RxList
Comprehensive information about medications.