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Ills & Conditions
Useful Sites
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
About this site: This is a section of the larger site of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It contains fact sheets for consumers about all types of potential injury situations, from nursing home falls to playground injuries to violence in relationships. (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/)  Pluses: A one-stop shop for the latest statistics on injuries.  Minuses: The material here is heavier on statistics and trends than on prevention tips consumers can use.  Best feature: Reliable, well-referenced information. |
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
About this site: This commission develops standards for health care organizations and evaluates everything from assisted-living facilities to hospital care. On the Web site, consumers can look up a hospital and check its accreditation status, file a complaint about a facility, and get tips on choosing a health care facility or finding the best care. (http://www.jcaho.com/general+public/index.htm) Pluses: The information posted here can help readers make good choices about care and facilities. Minuses: It's not clear what the accreditation reports mean and how the organization arrived at its scores. Best feature: Patients who've had a bad experience with a health care facility can file a complaint here and know it is reaching people who care about their concerns. |
Be MedWise
About this site: This site is designed to give consumers information that will help them use over-the-counter (OTC) medications safely and effectively. Though the information is not abundant, it is concise and useful. (http://www.bemedwise.ca/english/index.html) Pluses: The site includes a handy guide to reading medicine labels and offers convenient printouts patients can take along when they see a doctor or pharmacist. Minuses: The site doesn't offer much specific information on OTCs' interactions with prescription drugs. Best feature: Printable brochures and guidelines you can take to your doctor or pharmacist to help you ask the right questions. |
TransWeb: All About Transplantation and Donation
About this site: Are wealthy recipients moved to the top of organ waiting lists? Answers to this and other common queries await on TransWeb, which features links to personal accounts including living donors' experiences, news stories, religious perspectives on organ donation, information on how to get a donor card, and more. (http://www.transweb.org) Pluses: Top 10 Myths clears up common misconceptions surrounding organ transplantation. Minuses: "News" section makes you link to other sites to read the full stories. Best feature: Read about recipients' and candidates' experiences with heart, kidney, liver, lung, and pancreas transplants. |
CenterWatch Clinical Trials Listing Service
About this site: If you or a loved one is ill, here's your chance to get access to promising new treatments before they hit the market, often at reduced or no cost. Search this international database of more than 7,500 clinical trials that are currently recruiting patients. (http://www.centerwatch.com) Pluses: The site also lists newly approved drugs, information clearinghouses, and patient support groups. Minuses: The site provides only minimal information about each trial. You have to contact the institution conducting the study for the details. Best feature: Even if you don't find what you need, you can sign up to receive email whenever new trials are posted or new drugs approved for your illness. |
Pain.com
About this site: Sponsored by the Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation, pain.com brings you a world of information on pain with news, reference articles, expert interviews, and a directory of pain specialists around the world. (http://www.pain.com) Pluses: Find a local pain clinic, use the pain assessment forms, or sign up for the monthly newsletter. Minuses: The site has very few articles for general readers, mainly journal articles aimed at medical professionals. Best feature: The Ask a Pain Doctor column answers a new question every day, and readers can ask their own. |
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