Medical Library Association | Resources : Resources for Health Consumers

Resources

Resources for Health Consumers

"Quality information for improved health"

Health sciences librarians work in medical schools, hospitals, and other specialized health settings, and provide critical health information to doctors, nurses, and allied health personnel.

Many health sciences librarians and libraries also provide consumer health information to patients, their families, and the general public.

MLA User's Guide to Finding and Evaluating Health Information on the Web
MLA's consumer resource provides guidelines on finding the highest quality health information on the Web as well as examples of the best health Websites. Included in this guide are general starting points as well as specific sites for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Deciphering Medspeak | Descifrando el Lenguaje Médico
"Top Ten" Useful Websites
To help people understand "medspeak" terms—the specialized language of health care professionals—MLA created "Deciphering Medspeak." This Website and brochure for consumers offers relief from chronic misunderstandings and tips for evaluating health Websites.

"Los diez mejores, y más útiles, sitios en internet"
Para ayudar a gente entiende "medspeak" los términos—el idioma especializado de profesionales de cuidado de salud—MLA creó "Medspeak que Descifra." Este Website y el folleto para el alivio de ofertas de consumidores de equivocaciones y puntas crónicas para evaluar la salud Websites.
Consumer Health Library Directory
MLA's Consumer and Patient Health Information Section is a group of health sciences librarians that provide health information to consumers. This searchable listing can help you find health information close to home.
Medical Information on the Internet Tutorial
Medical Information on the Internet: Guide for Health Reporters and Consumers is a Web-based tutorial designed by MLA members to lead health reporters and consumers to quality health care information on the Internet.
Compare Hospital Quality
This US Department of Health and Human Services Website can help you compare the quality of care for certain medical conditions at more than 4,200 hospitals. The site also includes a checklist to help you choose a hospital and information about Medicare coverage in hospitals.
Leapfrog Hospital Quality and Safety Survey Results
The Leapfrog Group is made up of more than 170 companies and organizations that buy health care. Leapfrog and its members work together to reduce preventable medical mistakes and improve the quality and affordability of health care; and encourage public reporting of health care quality and outcomes so that consumers and purchasing organizations can make more informed health care choices.
Is Your Hospital Joint Commission-Accredited?
The Joint Commission has made this Quality Check Website available so you can see whether your hospital is accredited.
National Institutes of Health Seniorhealth.gov
Special resources and accessibility to health information for older adults
National Library of Medicine's (NLM) MedlinePlus
Extensive resources for consumer health, including health topics, medical encyclopedias, drug information, and more
NLM's Tutorial on Evaluating Internet Health Information
A sixteen-minute tutorial (requires a Flash 6 browser plugin) on evaluating health Websites takes you step-by-step through a process to help you decide if health information on a Website is credible.

MLA Senior Seminars

Reliable Sources of Health Information Lists reliable sources of health information as well as reliable health websites for senior citizens
Your Medicine: Play it Safe (printer-friendly handout ) Details ways to safely manage your medicines
Your Medicine: Play it Safe (Powerpoint presentation)
Quick Tips-When Getting a Prescription (printer-friendly handout ) Provides tips on learning more about your prescription and the types of questions to ask your healthcare provider about your medicines
Medicine Record Form (printer-friendly handout ) Form designed to help you keep track of your medicines, vitamins or any other dietary supplements.
Drug and Health Information Lists ten things to know about evaluating medical resources on the internet
Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide Provides information on safely purchasing medicine online
Health Information Wellness Talk (Powerpoint presentation)

Patient's Bill of Rights
The American Hospital Association "A Patient's Bill of Rights" provides an overview of rights a patient should expect in an AHA-member hospital.
U.S. Surgeon General's Family History Initiative
Tracing the illnesses suffered by your parents, grandparents, and other blood relatives can help your doctor predict the disorders to which you may be at risk and take action to keep you and your family healthy. Download the "My Family Health Portrait" software and create a family tree of health issues to discuss with your doctor.
Your Health Record
Resources on how to access and understand your medical records, from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Resources

Resources for Health Consumers

"Quality information for improved health"

Deciphering Medspeak | Descifrando el Lenguaje Médico

MLA Senior Seminars