So many people come into the library seeking information about a medical condition, I thought I would review some of the options for you. The medical condition might be ingrown toenails or a brain tumor. When we need medical information, we need it now, we need to know who is supplying the information, when they researched it and what is their angle. Are they saying I should buy Joe’s Wart Strips because they secretly own Joe’s Wart Strips or is it that those are really the best?

I recommend you try the databaste sites at the library,  these are non-commercial and current. They are under our electronic resources.

Look at the right hand side of our web page and then click under online resources. They are listed under Health and Wellness.

There are three databases;

Health and Wellness Resource Center

Medline Plus and finally,

Pubmed.

All of these are non commercial, current and should give you the information you are seeking.

To use them, you would click on the Health and Wellness title, then choose which database you want to use.

If you were researching diabetes at the Health and Wellness Resource Center, you might see the following screens;

then you can read the articles

When you find information you want to keep, you can email it to yourself or print it out or you can download the document to your computer for further reading.

The second database, MedlinePlus is the National Library of Medicine. This are a great site.

Not only does this site have loads of information for you but it also can provide that information in many languages so if the patient needs to read the information but English is not their language, you can get the information in another language. They also have information about alternative treatments and support groups in your area. Hurrah for MedlinePlus!

Lastly, take a look at Pubmed

Together these three sites should help you understand what your health care provider is telling you about your situation.

As always, if you have questions about these or any of the resources in the Hayward Public Library, do not hesitate to ask.

Stay Healthy, use your library and let me know how your projects are working out.