Health Topics
Publication Date: April 2001
How to Find Medical Information
You May Want More Information
After contacting the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) or the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse,
you may want to find additional information on a disease or disorder.
Searching for medical information can be confusing, especially for first-timers.
However, if you are patient and stick to it, you can find a wealth of
information. Today's computer technology is making it easier than ever
for people to track down medical and health information. There are also
many other sources of medical information available in textbooks, journal
articles, and reference books and from health care organizations. This
booklet explains how to locate these important sources of information.
Where to Find Medical Information
- Community library
- Federal Government clearinghouses
- Associations and voluntary organizations
- Medical, hospital, or university libraries
- Personal physician
- Nurse, pharmacist, dietitian, or other health professional
- Telephone or fax services
- Computer databases
- The Internet
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Start With Your Community Library
Most people have a library in or near their community,
and it's a good place to start to look for medical information. Before
going to the library, you may find it helpful to make a list of topics
you want information about and questions you have. Also, if you've received
a NIAMS information package, you'll notice the list of additional references
at the end of most articles. You may want to get a copy of some of these
articles. Your topic list and the information package will make it easier
for the librarian to direct you to the best resources.
Basic Medical References
Many community libraries have a collection of basic medical
references. These references may include medical dictionaries or encyclopedias,
drug information handbooks, basic medical and nursing textbooks, and
directories of physicians and medical specialists (listings of doctors).
You may also wish to find magazine articles on a certain topic. Look
in the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature for articles on
health and medicine that were published in consumer magazines.
Other Resources
Infotrac, a CD-ROM computer database available
at libraries or on the Web, indexes hundreds of popular magazines and
newspapers, as well as some medical journals such as the Journal
of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of
Medicine. Your library may also carry MEDLINE® (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi),
Index Medicus, or the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
Health Literature in print format or on a computer database. The
Consumer Health and Nutrition Index may be available in print
form as well. These resources will help you find journal articles written
for health professionals. Many of the indexes have abstracts that provide
a summary of each journal article. Articles published in medical journals
can be technical, but they may be the most current source of information
on medical topics.
Interlibrary Loans
Although most community libraries don't have a large collection
of medical and nursing journals, your librarian may be able to get copies
of the articles you want. Interlibrary loans allow your librarian to
request a copy of an article from a library that carries that particular
medical journal. Your library may charge a fee for this service.
Medical and Health Directories
You may find many useful medical and health information
directories at your library. Ask your librarian about the following
resources:*
- Directory of Physicians in the United States. Chicago, IL:
American Medical Association (AMA) updated yearly--provides information
such as address, medical school attended, year of license, specialty,
and certifications for physicians who are members of the AMA.
- Health Hotlines--a booklet of toll-free numbers of health
information hotlines available from the National Library of Medicine
(NLM) or on the Internet at sis.nlm.nih.gov/hotlines.
- Medical and Health Information Directory. 13th edition. Detroit,
MI: Gale Research, 2001--includes publications, organizations, libraries,
and health services (three volumes).
- The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists.
New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who's Who, updated yearly--provides information
on physicians certified in various specialties by the American Board
of Medical Specialists.
- Rees, A., editor. The Consumer Health Information Sourcebook.
6th edition. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 2000--lists information clearinghouses,
books, and other resources.
- White, B.J., & Madone, E., editors. The Self-Help Sourcebook:
The Comprehensive Reference of Self-Help Group Resources. 5th
edition. Denville, NJ: Northwest Covenant Medical Center, 1997--lists
over 700 organizations that offer support groups.
* Names of resources and organizations included in this
booklet are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not
mean that they are endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or
any other Government agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization
is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory
.
If you find a particularly useful book at the library,
you can buy a copy at your local bookstore. If the book isn't in stock,
your bookstore can probably order a copy for you.
Some medical references have been converted from book
form to a CD-ROM or disk for use on a personal computer. If you have
a computer with a CD-ROM drive, color monitor, and sound card, you can
use compact disks to locate medical information. Check with your local
bookstore or computer store for software programs that contain health
information.
Some Popular References for
the Home Library
- American Medical Association Complete Guide to Women's Health.
1996; and American Medical Association Family Medical Guide.
3rd edition. 1994. New York, NY: Random House (available in
book and CD-ROM format).
- The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete
Home Medical Guide. 3rd edition. New York, NY: Crown Publishers,
1995.
- Everything You Need to Know About Medical Tests. Springhouse,
PA: Springhouse Corporation, 1997.
- Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies: The Complete Home
Medical Reference. New York: Rebus Publishing, 1999.
- Mayo Clinic Family Health. 2nd edition. New York, NY:
William Morrow, Inc., 1996 (available as a book, CD-ROM, or
computer disk).
- The Merck Manual of Medical Information (Home Edition). Rahway,
NJ: The Merck Publishing Group, 1997.
- Professional Guide to Disease. 7th edition. Springhouse,
PA: Springhouse Corporation, 2001.
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Take Advantage of Services Provided by the Federal
Government and Other Organizations
Federal Government
The Federal Government operates a number of clearinghouses
and information centers--the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse is one
of them. Services vary but may include publications, referrals, and
answers to consumer inquiries. To obtain a free list of Federal information
clearinghouses, visit the National
Health Information Center's home page (www.health.gov/nhic), write to P.O. Box 1133, Washington,
DC 20013-1133, or call (800) 336-4797.
Associations and Voluntary Organizations
Many associations and voluntary organizations are excellent
sources of information. Some are devoted to specific diseases or conditions,
such as the Scleroderma Foundation, National Alopecia Areata Foundation,
National Psoriasis Foundation, and numerous others. Other organizations,
such as the American Association of Retired Persons, serve a particular
population group and provide a variety of information, including health-related
topics. Your librarian or a NIAMS Information Clearinghouse information
specialist can help you locate appropriate organizations and support
networks. Many of these organizations offer referrals, publications,
newsletters, educational programs, and local support groups. Your doctor
may be able to tell you about support groups in your community as well.
Examples of Health-Related
Associations and Organizations
- American Academy of Dermatology
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- American College of Rheumatology
- American Skin Association
- Arthritis Foundation
- Lupus Foundation of America
- American Physical Therapy Association
There are many more organizations; call the NIAMS Information
Clearinghouse for additional information.
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Look for a Medical Library
Medical libraries can usually be found at medical, nursing,
and dental schools; large medical centers; and community hospitals.
Not all hospital or academic libraries are open to the public, but a
librarian at your community library may be able to give you information
about the closest medical library open to the public. Medical libraries
may also be listed in your telephone book under "hospitals," "schools,"
or "universities." In addition, you can call the National Network of
Libraries of Medicine of the NLM, National Institutes of Health, at
(800) 338-7657 to find the location of the nearest medical library open
to the public.
A medical library has a large collection of resources,
including many medical and nursing textbooks and a comprehensive collection
of medical and health-related journals. Although you may not be allowed
to check out materials, most libraries have photocopiers you can use
to copy material you want to take home.
Library Resources
- Computer databases
- Directories of board-certified medical specialists
- Drug reference books
- Medical and diagnostic laboratory testing manuals
- Medical and health information directories
- Medical dictionaries
- Medical encyclopedias
- Medical, nursing, and allied health textbooks
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Investigate Other Options for Finding Information
People who are unable to get to a community or medical
library have several options for finding additional medical information.
Some community libraries provide access to on-line databases that can
be searched from a home computer via a modem. In addition, your doctor,
nurse, pharmacist, dietitian, or the patient education department at
your local hospital may be able to provide you with pamphlets, brochures,
and journal articles or direct you to classes, seminars, and health
screenings.
Use Telephone and Fax Services
Some communities have a telephone medical service that
allows callers to listen to audiotapes on certain disease topics. Also,
your health insurance company or health maintenance organization may
have a nurse available to answer health-related questions over the telephone.
If you have access to a fax machine, you can get health
information from some organizations in just a few minutes. If a faxback
system is available, use the telephone on your fax machine to call the
faxback number of the organization and listen to the instructions. In
most cases, you can request a list or menu of information to be sent
to you first.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at (888)
232-3299 (toll free) is an example of an organization that has information
available by fax. Your librarian can help you locate other fax services.
Explore Computer Databases
The computer has become an important tool for helping
people locate medical and health information quickly and easily. Most
software and information services are user friendly and allow people
with no formal training in computer searching to use databases to obtain
information. Using a computer at home or in the library, you can find
health information by searching CD-ROM databases, searching on-line
on the Internet, or using a health-related software program.
As mentioned earlier, many public libraries have Infotrac,
a database that includes consumer health information. It indexes popular
magazines and newspapers and 2 to 4 years' worth of medical publications.
Medical libraries have more extensive medical databases. Start with
the following list and ask your librarian to help you find the most
appropriate CD-ROM or on-line (Internet) databases for your needs:
- MEDLINE®. MEDLINE® contains citations and often abstracts
for over 11 million articles in 4,300 biomedical journals on all aspects
of biomedicine and allied health fields. MEDLINE® now covers the literature
from the mid-1950s to the present and is available free of charge
through the NLM Web site at www.nlm.nih.gov.
- DIRLINE®. This database contains location and description
information about a wide variety of resources, including organizations,
research resources, projects, databases, and electronic bulletin boards
concerned with health and biomedicine. The database is available on-line
through the NLM at no fee at dirline.nlm.nih.gov.
- CHID (Combined Health Information Database). Developed and
managed by health-related agencies of the Federal Government, this
database can help people find information and educational resources
such as brochures, books, and audiovisuals on selected topics. It is available on the Internet at no fee
at chid.nih.gov.
Search the Internet
The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that
can exchange information almost instantaneously. The World Wide Web
(abbreviated www in computer addresses), or more simply, the Web, is
a system of electronic documents linked together and available on the
Internet for anyone with a computer, a modem, and an Internet provider
account. While the terms "Internet" and "World Wide Web" are often used
interchangeably, the Web is actually the part of the Internet that supports
the use of graphics, pictures, sound, and even video.
If you have access to the Web, you can find information
on everything from the latest medical research to facts on particular
conditions. You may have access at home or at work to Internet databases
through a commercial service such as America Online or through a local
Internet provider. Many public libraries have computer stations that
provide Internet access.
You'll find extensive health and medical information on
the Internet. America Online and other Internet providers and sites
offer MEDLINE®; some sites may charge a search fee. The Internet also
offers other resources such as bulletin boards, online publications,
forums for discussion of current medical issues, and on-line support
groups. For example, the American Self-Help Clearinghouse offers an
on-line version of its Self-Help Sourcebook at www.mentalhelp.net/selfhelp
that provides information on support groups and networks available in
your community and throughout the world. The site also provides a link
to the Self-Help Resource Room that contains information about on-line
support groups and other health resources.
Help With Searching on the Internet
Searching for health information on the Internet can be
confusing and difficult. The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming,
and people often find it difficult to narrow down search topics or find
specific Web sites. Although an Internet search engine such as YAHOO!®
or Netscape® is meant to help you find information, search results on
specific topics often reveal thousands of Web sites, many of which may
be unrelated to the information you want. You may want to get a copy
of a reference book that provides tips on how to find health information
on the Internet. Health Online, by Tom Ferguson, M.D. (Addison-Wesley
Publishing Company, 1996), is an example of one reference that can help
you use the Internet to find health information and support groups.
National Library of Medicine
You can search the NLM's MEDLINE® database, free of charge, on the Web. The link to this database can be found on the NLM home page at www.nlm.nih.gov. You can conduct a search in the Web-based product, PubMed. It provides you with free access to MEDLINE® and, for a fee, allows you to use Loansome Doc Delivery Service to order copies of articles. PubMed links you to publishers' sites for approximately 1,200 full-text journals; some are by subscription only. You can access NLM through its gateway, gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd, which searches many NLM databases simultaneously.
MEDLINEplus
MEDLINEplus from the NLM is designed to assist
consumers in locating authoritative health information on the Internet.
This service provides access to extensive information about specific
diseases and conditions and has links to consumer health information
from the National Institutes of Health, dictionaries, lists of hospitals
and physicians, health information in Spanish and other languages, and
clinical trials. Links to preformulated searches of the MEDLINE® database
allow you to find references to the latest health professional articles
on each topic. The adam.com medical encyclopedia included in MEDLINEplus
brings health consumers an extensive library of medical images, as well
as over 4,000 articles about diseases, tests, symptoms, injuries, and
surgeries. Drug information is also available on the site.
ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov is an information service of the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) developed by the NLM that provides patients, family
members, health care professionals, and the public with easy access
to information on clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions.
This database provides opportunities to participate in the evaluation
of new treatments. The NLM is developing the database in collaboration
with all NIH institutes, other Federal agencies, the pharmaceutical
industry, and academic and other nonprofit organizations. You can access
this database on the Web at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
healthfinder®
To help people find health information on the Internet,
the Federal Government's Department of Health and Human Services has
developed a Web site--healthfinder® (www.healthfinder.gov).
This site serves as a gateway or point of entry to the broad range of
consumer health information resources produced by the Federal Government
and many of its partners. healthfinder® includes a searchable index
and locator aids for news, publications, on-line journals, support and
self-help groups, on-line discussions, and toll-free numbers
Don't Believe Everything You Read
As you make purchases for your home library or search
the Internet, keep in mind that not all information is written by qualified
medical experts. Your doctor or a health organization may be able to
recommend some good books or helpful Internet sites. When looking for
health information on the Internet, don't believe everything you see.
Articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals are checked for
accuracy, but anyone can put information on the Internet, so there's
no guarantee that the information you find is accurate or up-to-date.
In addition, many companies set up Web sites primarily to sell their
products. It may be helpful to ask a health professional about the information
you find on the Internet, particularly before you buy any products.
If you search and shop with care, you can add some medically sound reference
materials to your home library and find accurate information on the
Internet.
Use Information Wisely
It can be hard to judge the accuracy and credibility of
medical information you read in books or magazines, see on television,
or find on the Internet. Even people with medical backgrounds sometimes
find this task challenging. Following are some important tips to help
you decide what information is believable and accurate.
Books, Articles, and Television Reports
- Compare several different resources on the same topic. Check two
or three other articles or books to see whether the information or
advice is similar.
- Check the author's credentials by looking up his or her affiliations,
such as university and medical school attended, associations, and
lists of other publications. For doctors, this information can be
found in one of the physician directories at your library or on the
AMA's Web site at www.ama-assn.org (click on AMA Physician Select).
You can also call the American Board of Medical Specialists at (866)
ASK-ABMS (275-2267) to see whether a physician is board certified
in his or her specialty. Your librarian can help you find other resources
to check the credentials of nonphysicians.
- Ask yourself if the information or advice "rings true." That is,
is it feasible, plausible, and common sense, or is it wishful thinking
or sensationalism?
- Look for a list of references at the end of the article or book.
Information that is backed up by other medical professionals and researchers
is more likely to be accurate.
- Check out your information source. Was the article published in
a peer-reviewed journal? Look for a list of editorial or review board
members at the beginning of a journal. In a peer-reviewed journal,
articles are reviewed by other qualified members of the profession
for accuracy and reliability.
- Look very carefully at information published in newspapers and magazines or reported on television. Most reporters are journalists rather than medical experts. In addition, newspapers and television reporters may use sensationalism to attract more readers or viewers. Medical facts and statistics can be misrepresented or incomplete. Check to see whether the newspaper or magazine cites a source for its information and includes the credentials of the persons cited.
- Examine a magazine's list of editors. Do medical experts serve as editors and review articles? Be especially wary
of personal testimonials of miracle cures. There's often no way of judging whether the story is true. Furthermore, don't trust medical product advertisements claiming miracle cures or spectacular results.
The Internet
- Compare the information you find on the Internet with other resources.
Check two or three articles in the medical literature or medical textbooks
to see whether the information or advice is similar.
- Check the author's or organization's credentials. They should be
clearly displayed on the Web site. If the credentials are missing,
consider this a red flag. Unfortunately, there are many phony doctors
and other health professionals making false claims on the Internet.
- Find out if the Web site is maintained by a reputable health organization.
Remember that no one regulates information on the Internet. Anyone
can set up a home page and claim anything. Some reliable Web sites
providing health information include those of government agencies,
health foundations and associations, and medical colleges.
- Be wary of Web sites advertising and selling products that claim
to improve your health. More important, be very careful about giving
out credit-card information on the Internet. Further, even if nothing
is being sold on a Web site, ask yourself if the site host has an
interest in promoting a particular product or service.
- Ask yourself whether the information or advice seems to contradict
what you've learned from your doctor. If so, talk to your doctor to
clarify the differences in the information.
- Be cautious when using information found on bulletin boards or during
"chat" sessions with others. Testimonials and personal stories are
based on one person's experience rather than on objective facts or
proven medical research.
To Make Informed Decisions About
Your Health Care, You Need to Understand Your Health Problem
Medical information, especially material written for health
care providers, can be hard to understand, confusing, and sometimes
frightening. As you read through your materials, write down any words
or information you don't understand or find confusing. Make a list of
your questions and concerns. During your next office visit, ask your
doctor, nurse, or other health professional to review the information
with you so that you understand clearly how it might be helpful to you.
If the medical information you gathered is for a personal
health problem, you may want to share what you found with your spouse,
other family members, or a close friend. Family members and friends
who understand your health problem are better able to provide needed
support and care. Finally, you might want to consider joining a support
group in your community. You may find it helpful to be able to talk
with others who have the same health problem and share your feelings
or concerns.
Ultimately, the information you gather from print and
electronic resources can help you make decisions about your health care--how
to prevent illness, maintain optimal health, and address your specific
health problems. Armed with this knowledge, you can more actively work
in partnership with your doctor and other health care professionals
to explore treatment options and make health care decisions. Health
care experts predict that today's computer and telecommunication systems
will result in a new era--the health care system information age--built
around health-savvy, health-responsible consumers who are the primary
managers of their own health and medical care.
For More Information
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases (NIAMS)
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
Phone: 301-495-4484 or
(877) 22-NIAMS (226-4267) (free of charge)
TTY: 301-565-2966
Fax: 301-718-6366
www.niams.nih.gov
Acknowledgments
The NIAMS gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Ron
Gordner, M.L.S., and Gail Dutcher, M.L.S., of the National Library of
Medicine; Mary Jo Deering, Ph.D., of the Office of Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health
and Human Services; and Amye Leong, an arthritis patient advocate based
in Palo Alto, CA, and a former member of the NAMS Advisory Council,
in the review of this booklet.
The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the National Institutes
of Health (NIH), is to support research into the causes, treatment,
and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the
training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research,
and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Information Clearinghouse is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS
that provides health information and information sources. Additional
information can be found on the NIAMS Web site at www.niams.nih.gov.
This booklet is not copyrighted. Readers are encouraged
to duplicate and distribute as many copies as needed.
Additional copies of this booklet are available from
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases
NIAMS/National Institutes of Health (NIH)
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
NIH Publication No. 01-4745