Part of the National Institutes of Health, nlm is the provider of PubMed gov, MedlinePlus gov, and many other health information resources

• Part of the National Institutes of Health, NLM is the provider of PubMed.gov, MedlinePlus.gov, and many other health information resources

88% of online searchers look for health information

• 88% of online searchers look for health information

• Over half of online health searchers later discussed information with their doctors

• Half of all searches are based on discussions with doctors

• Harris Poll, “Cyberchondriacs” on the Rise?

• August 4, 2010

Health professional = 86%

• Health professional = 86%

• Friend or family member = 68%

• Internet=57%

• Books or other print material=54%

• Insurance provider=33%

• Other source=5%

• Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project

• The Social Life of Health Information, June 2009

How does MedlinePlus differ from popular search engines and commercial health sites?

• How does MedlinePlus differ from popular search engines and commercial health sites?

Debuted in 1998 with 22 health topics, now there are over 800 topics

• Debuted in 1998 with 22 health topics, now there are over 800 topics

• Designed to be appealing and easy to use

• Not a search engine, but a current collection of the best links to health information

• Adheres to strict quality guidelines

• No advertising or collection of personal info

Key word versus phrase searching

• Key word versus phrase searching

• - renal cell cancer = 985 results
• - “renal cell cancer” = 24 results

• Boolean searching ( OR, NOT )

• - ”weight loss” NOT surgery
• - “weight loss” “gastric bypass” (AND is the default)

• Use the asterisk to search for word variations

• - lymph* (lymphoma, lymphatic, lymphedema)

People use different search strategies

• People use different search strategies

• Type keywords in search box
• Scan list of topics
• Click on meaningful icons or visually appealing images
• Browse pages
• No matter how someone searches, they will find information on MedlinePlus!

A quarterly publication of the Friends of the National Library of Medicine.

• A quarterly publication of the Friends of the National Library of Medicine.

• Get a free subscription!

One out of _____ American adults reads at the 5th grade level or below.

• One out of _____ American adults reads at the 5th grade level or below.

• The average American reads at about the 8th grade level, yet most health care materials are written above the ____ grade level.

One out of 5 American adults reads at the 5th grade level or below.

• One out of 5 American adults reads at the 5th grade level or below.

• The average American reads at about the 8th grade level, yet most health care materials are written above the 10th grade level.

• Source: Partnership for Clear Health Communication, National Patient Safety Foundation

• http://www.npsf.org/askme3/pdfs/STATS_GLANCE_EN.pdf

Ability to obtain and understand health information, and to act on that information

• Ability to obtain and understand health information, and to act on that information

• 1 in 3 adults have Basic or Below Basic skills

Easy-to-read Resources

• Easy-to-read Resources

• Plain language information from government agencies and health organizations

• Interactive Tutorials with audio, images, and text at 6th grade level

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version

• Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version

• 100 English and Spanish monographs

• Herbals, dietary supplements, and how they work

• Effectiveness ratings for different indications

• Safety concerns, including precautions ,warnings and possible interactions with medications, foods, and other herbs and supplements

• Extensive lists of references, with links to PubMed

Assess your risk for health conditions

• Assess your risk for health conditions

• Have fun learning about your health

• For all ages

Help your patrons be informed health information searchers

• Help your patrons be informed health information searchers

• Encourage them to ask questions

• Be an advocate for health