A
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR LIBRARY
UPDATE
A public programming opportunity
for your library
Free databases listed on
UCHC Library web site
NETNEWS
Quackery on parade
How about a career change?
Online medical school curriculum.
Nutrition advice and information
from the U.S. government
How healthy is your community?
Complementary therapies
for cancer
Combined effort of agency
offers information on cancer drugs and researach
FOR
YOUR CONSIDERATION
Recommended consumer health books
- American Diabetes Association
complete guide to diabetes : the ultimate home reference. 2nd ed.
- The diabetes problem solver
: quick answeers to your questions about treatment and self-care.
- Making informed medical decisions
: where to look and how to use what you find.
- Working with your doctor : getting
the healthcare you deserve.
A
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR LIBRARY
Does your library offer classes for the public on Internet searching skills in different subject categories? Have you considered offering a class on health and medical resources but haven’t had the time to develop the program? Healthnet can help. Healthnet staff has had considerable experience training individuals to use the Internet to locate high quality, dependable health and medical information. We have had experience training librarians and the public.
We can tailor a program to suit your needs. We can offer a one hour or two hour program, focus on a specific aspect of health or medicine, describe the fundamentals of evaluating Internet resources, or include anything else you feel is important for your particular audience. We can offer a daytime or evening program and can help with publicity by designing a flyer for you to use.
This can be a great way to publicize the health resources of your library
and may even draw people who are not regular library users. For more
information or to schedule a program, call Alberta Richetelle at Healthnet
860/679-4055 or email :richetelle@nso.uchc.edu.
FREE DATABASES LISTED ON UCHC LIBRARY WEB SITE
Did you know that you can access many free databases from the Health Center Library’s homepage? There are over 100 databases available from our homepage and more than half of them are available free of charge to anyone inside and outside the Library. You can access the databases by going to the UCHC Library homepage at http://library.uchc.edu and then selecting “Databases” listed on the left side of the page. Many of these databases are very specialized. Some, however, such as PubMed , the free online version of Medline, and MedlinePlus , the consumer version of Medline, may be more familiar to librarians and consumers.
The databases listed below are just a few of the ones listed on the Library’s web site. Sample these and browse through some of the others – you may find useful information to help you answer medical and health related questions
Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Science Database - This is a comprehensive online resource covering all aspects of alcohol abuse and alcoholism with over 100,000 records. Although not full-text, the abstracts often contain useful information. Content includes information on the relationship between alcohol use and accidents, drug use and the incidence of assaults, and other similar topics. Simple and complex searches are possible and many help screens make this database easy to use.
Biomedicine and Health in the News - This database is produced by the Healthnet program at the University of Connecticut Health Center Library. This searchable database provides quick access to the biomedical, scientific and health journal literature referenced in newspaper articles appearing in the New York Times and is also available on the Healthnet homepage at http://library.uchc.edu/bhn.
Birth Defects - Based on Jablonski’s Dictionary of Medical Syndromes, this database consists of over 700 structured descriptions of congenital abnormalities associated with mental retardation. Each description contains synonyms for the syndrome, associated features, and references with hyperlinks to citations in Medline.
Clinical Practice Guidelines - A resource for the public and for health professionals on standards of care for specific diseases and medical conditions in the form of practice guidelines developed by professional medical associations and organizations. The site offers summaries of the guidelines as well as full-text, when available, and the ability to compare guidelines on key points.
Clinical Trials Databases – The purpose of this database is to provide patients, family members and members of the public current information about clinical research studies. There is also a link to this database from Healthnet’s list of Internet Resources at http://library.uchc.edu/departm/hnet/inters.html under the heading “Clinical Research Trials.”
Clinical Trials Listing Services (CenterWatch) - A resource for patients interested in participating in clinical research studies and for research professionals interested in learning about what research is currently being conducted. A link to this database is also in Healthnet’s list of Internet resources under the heading “Clinical Research Trials.”
DrugFacts – This comprehensive free web site offers information on 7,000 of the same drugs listed in Facts and Comparisons, a print publication of over 28,000 prescription and over the counter drugs.
IBIDS Database – A database of published, international, scientific literature on dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and botanicals .
National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) – Consists of three separate databases: Rare Diseases; Rare Disease Organizations; Orphan Drugs. The database provides for free basic information on a select number of rare diseases and disorders; full-reports are available for a fee. NORD is also listed in Healthnet's Internet resources under the heading “Diseases and Medical Conditions, General Health”.
MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has designated March as National Nutrition Month. This year’s slogan is "Food and Fitness : build a healthy lifestyle”.
If you are interested in having a display in your library to celebrate National Nutrition Month you can request a catalog of products from the ADA. Although many of the items are for nutrition specialists, the ADA offers a colorful poster ($5.50 for non-members), stickers for adults and children (100 of each for $9.99 each), and bookmarks (30 for $5.99). You may request a copy of the Nutrition Month product catalog via email by writing to nnm@eatright.org or by snail mail at American Dietetic Association, 216 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606-6995; Telephone: 312/899-0040.
QUACKERY ON PARADE
Most of us rarely find medical tests or procedures pleasant experiences. If you’ve ever had to be subjected to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a lithotriptor machine (which crushes kidney stones using sound waves), you may want to count your blessings that you didn’t live in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s, when medical quackery was rampant. The Quackatorium offers a glimpse into the world of medical quackery and electrotherapy devices. Some of the devices included here are fascinating and creepy, with a few appearing to border on torture. The devices include the Radio Disease Killer, the Vitapulser, the Patho-Neuroclast, eye massagers, and galvanic batteries.
An antique medical device collector maintains this site. In addition
to photographs, illustrations, and descriptions of the devices, he offers
a list of sites that include information on other devices and medical quackery
in general. A great site for the medical history buff and the curious.
Each profile includes a brief description of the herb or other alternative
remedy, what it is used for, precautions before using, usual dosage,
storage requirements, and possible side effects or adverse reactions.
Each profile includes several references to studies reported in the medical
literature on the efficacy of the herb or alternative therapy.
HOW ABOUT A CAREER
CHANGE? 
Ever had a secret desire to go to medical school or been curious about what doctors learn during their four years of training? Integrated Medical Curriculum (IMC) bills itself as “…the first web site ever to integrate the major courses taught in medical school.” IMC is produced by Gold Standard Multimedia (GSM), a developer of innovative medical education and drug information software and online services headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
The IMC has different areas of study, including basic clinical skills and basic sciences programs. The “Clinical Skills” area includes a teaching guide and reference in clinical diagnosis with 350 illustrations and photographs, narrated video demonstrations, step-by-step instructions on how to perform each skill, printable checklists, and more than 300 content pages. The “Basic Sciences” area offers instruction in basic human anatomy, radiologic anatomy, essentials of immunology, essentials of human physiology, microscopic anatomy, and cross-sectional anatomy.
The “Testing Center” has thousands of quiz questions to test your knowledge and skills. The “Student Lounge” has message boards, e-cards, and feature stories and the “Faculty Lounge” includes an online journal and conference and awards information.
Other features on the site are an online store of GSM products (not
yet fully operational), biographies of the IMC authors, and feature stories
about healthcare, education, and multimedia worldwide. This superb
site offers a wealth of medical information for the highly motivated and
curious individual willing to devote the time to explore a challenging
course of study in medicine. Free registration grants access
to all of the features on the site.
NUTRITION
ADVICE AND INFORMATION FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
Nutrition.gov is a new federal resource that provides easy access to all online federal government information on nutrition. This national resource makes obtaining government information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety, easily accessible in one place for many Americans.
Important information that can be used in the treatment and prevention of disease is available on the website which serves as a comprehensive and reliable source of information on nutrition and dietary guidance with an extensive interactive scientific reference section. Additionally, this new online resource includes specialized nutrition information for infants and children, adult women and men, and seniors.
The web site also links to information about nutrition and food assistance programs such as the Food Stamp Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and the School Lunch and Breakfast programs. Links to federally supported research, reports, and brochures as well as funding opportunities in the federal government are also included. Users can find information on the food guide pyramid, dietary guidelines for Americans, dietary supplements, fitness, and how to keep food safe.
Another useful food and nutrition site from the federal government is Food Safety.gov . Aimed at both the professional and the consumer, this site offers information on safe food handling practices to prevent foodborne illness, guidance on how, when and where to report suspected foodborne illnesses or product complaints, and fact sheets on different types of foodborne diseases, toxins, and pathogens. A news and safety feature alerts the user to product recalls and health warnings from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other related federal agencies.
A special section for children, teens, and educators has fact sheets,
games, and curricular materials on food safety related topics.
Other features of the site include links to federal and state food safety
related programs and information about the national food safety initiative,
a cooperative program of the U.S. Food and Drug Administrative and several
other agencies to protect the nation’s food supply.
HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR COMMUNITY?
The Community Health Status Indicators Project recently debuted their web site in an effort to help people learn about the health status of their community and begin to think about what to do in areas that need improvement. The site includes reports on the health status of 3,082 counties in the United States. The Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funds the Project.
The reports include data collected from 1988 to 1998 on such topics
as the leading cause of deaths in a community, the actual and
expected number of infectious disease cases, and the rate of
medical care coverage in a specific county. Users can access information
on their county's population size and racial demographics and compare its
statistics to that of a peer county with an equivalent population size,
density, age distribution, and poverty level. Dr. Claude Earle Fox, Administrator
of the Health Resources and Services Administration, stated that
he hopes this information will serve as a springboard for communities to
get involved in a self-assessment of their health status indicators, determine
their strengths and where improvements are needed, and share information
on solutions to improve the public health.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES FOR CANCER
Oncolink , the premier site for cancer, recently added a new feature. Oncolink Complementary Medicine describes the differences between alternative, complementary, and standard therapies and offers information on specific alternative and complementary treatments for cancer, including shark cartilage, vitamin/herbal therapies, nutritional treatments, aromatherapy, and acupuncture.
Reviews of books, videotapes, and audiotapes on complementary and alternative
therapies for different types of cancer are included as are news stories
on current research on the use of alternative and complementary treatments.
A listing of recommended Internet web sites includes links to Alternative
Health News Online , the National Cancer Institute’s Office
of Complementary and Alternative Medicine web site, information for
patients seeking alternative treatments for cancer on the Quackwatch
, and several other online resources.
COMBINED EFFORT OF AGENCIES OFFERS INFORMATION
ON CANCER
DRUGS AND RESEARCH
In an experimental
effort, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) of the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration has launched a web
site focused on cancer drugs and research.
The Oncology Tools web site
is intended to provide information to patients and consumers as well as
to health professionals.
The section on “Approved Oncology Drugs” includes detailed information on approved medications as well as guidance for obtaining unapproved drugs. The user can choose to sort the drug list alphabetically by generic drug name, by drug trade name, or by manufacturer. From the trade name, there is a hyperlink to the package insert or product label. This section is also searchable by disease name, both adult and pediatric forms. Each disease area lists and describes the drugs approved to treat that form of cancer.
The Disease Summaries section is especially convenient. It provides links to the National Cancer Institute’s PDQ (Physician Data Query) database of cancer screening, treatment, and genetics information on specific types of cancer, with separate information for patients and health professionals. There are also links to information about types of cancer at the web sites of organizations and research institutions. The Regulatory Tools section discusses the FDA approval process, FDA cancer initiatives, and regulatory issues related to cancer.
The Disease Summaries section is especially convenient. It provides links to the National Cancer Institute’s PDQ (Physician Data Query) database of cancer screening, treatment, and genetics information on specific types of cancer, with separate information for patients and health professionals. There are also links to information about types of cancer at the web sites of organizations and research institutions. The Regulatory Tools section discusses the FDA approval process, FDA cancer initiatives, and regulatory issues related to cancer.
The Search function searches the entire FDA web site, not the Oncology Tools web site exclusively. This can be overwhelming and can yield very technical, irrelevant results.
The following books may be of interest to public and health sciences libraries. They are not part of the UCHC Library collection.
American Diabetes Association complete guide to diabetes : the ultimate
home reference. 2nd ed. American
Diabetes Association, 1999. 506 p. (ISBN 1-58040-038-8), pap. $23.95.
The diabetes problem solver : quick answers to your questions about treatment and self-care. Nancy Touchette. American Diabetes Association, 1999. 511 p. (ISBN 1-57040-009-1), pap. $19.95.
These two very similar, extremely helpful guides to living with diabetes
were both published by the American Diabetes
Association in 1999. Nancy Touchette, a science writer, is the author
of both books.
The “Complete Guide” is an updated, second edition of a
book originally published four years ago. Like the “Problem
Solver,” it is written in an easy-to-understand style and is
quite comprehensive. The names and affiliations of physicians
and nurses on the organization’s medical advisory
board, who contributed to both editions of
the “Complete Guide,”
are listed and acknowledged.
The book begins with an explanation of diabetes,
its types and their causes, and the diagnostic tests used to determine
whether or not a patient is diabetic. There are
lengthy explanations of insulin pumps, types of
insulin regimens, and
monitoring blood glucose levels. Complications
of diabetes, its effect on patients’ emotions, family
life and sexuality
are discussed. The book concludes with a chapter about health
insurance, Medicare and Medicaid,
hospital stays, nursing homes, and other aspects of the health
care system.
The appendix includes a glossary, an index, a detailed guide to
glucose testing, preparing insulin mixtures, and injecting
insulin, as well as a resource guide to organizations and web sites.
Written for patients and families, the
focuses of both books are taking responsibility
for one’s care and maximizing
successful diabetes management by living
a healthy life style. Included are detailed
tips on nutrition and exercise,
written with an understanding of the real life challenges of
maintaining good health.
A unique feature of the “Problem Solver” is a lengthy section of flowcharts
about specific symptoms of diabetes and their
care. Each box in the easy-to-follow
charts asks a specific question about the patient’s experience
with the symptom and then leads to a follow-up question
or to specific advice, that sometimes includes
seeking immediate help from a doctor.
The “Problem Solver” presents practical, helpful information
for patients by providing solutions to specific
diabetes-
related medical, emotional, family, insurance, and lifestyle
problems in a clear format that is repeated in each chapter.
Both books discuss diabetes in children and teenagers. The “Problem Solver,” however addresses its chapters on these age groups directly to the children and adolescents, not to the parents. The book realistically acknowledges the difficulties of being a young person with diabetes among friends and classmates who do not experience this challenge. The section for children is especially well-written.
Making informed medical decisions : where to look and how to use what you find. Nancy Oster, Lucy Thomas, Darol Joseff. O'Reilly, 2000. 364 p. (ISBN 1-56592-459-2), $17.95 pap.
The three different perspectives of the authors--a physician, a medical writer, and a medical librarian-- enhance the comprehensive coverage of this beginner's guide to consumer health research. Types and characteristics of information resources are discussed as are planning and prioritizing research, how to develop a focused search strategy, and finding and researching clinical trials. Advice is offered on how to communicate more effectively with your doctor and where to find support.
Different kinds of information resources are examined, such as books, magazines, audio and videotapes, professional medical journals, news reports, and pamphlets. An overview is provided on how to gain access to these resources at libraries, bookstores, government agencies, professional associations, patient resource centers, and electronic and Internet subscription services.
Other topics discussed include understanding standard treatment options and the importance of researching clinical practice guidelines, understanding clinical pathways, and how to locate and contact experts. A chapter on statistics helps to clarify misperceptions of risk and describes how to read a medical research paper. Informative quotes from patients and family members about their research experiences are interspersed throughout.
Working with your doctor : getting the healthcare you deserve.
Nancy Keene. O'Reilly, 1998. 357 p.
(ISBN 1-56592-273-5), $15.95, pap.
This is a comprehensive "primer for patient empowerment" that offers advice and guidance on understanding the managed care system process and finding a compatible physician. Especially helpful are discussions about how to communicate effectively with your doctor, your rights and responsibilities as a patient, and how to ask questions about tests, drugs, and surgery. A useful and practical chapter explains actions to take if you have been injured by illegal or substandard medical treatment. The role of state licensing boards is discussed as is basic information and steps to take if you decide to file a malpractice claim and how and when to report criminal activity.
A chapter on researching the medical literature describes the benefits
of examining authoritative resources to learn about your own medical condition.
It discusses how to formulate a search strategy, where to start your search,
resources
available in public and medical libraries, what’s available on the
Internet, and how to go about hiring someone to do the research for
you. Also included is an especially helpful overview of Medline,
the premier index to the medical literature from the National Library of
Medicine. This is a practical guide with clearly explained advice
interspersed with illustrative anecdotes to help consumers and patients
learn the skills necessary to make informed decisions about their medical
care.
Healthnet News is written by Alberta L. Richetelle with the assistance
of Judith Kronick.
If you have questions about anything in the newsletter or about
Healthnet services for
Connecticut public libraries,please call 860/679-4055; e-mail address:
richetelle@nso.uchc.edu.
© 2001 University of Connecticut Health Center.
All rights reserved.