Patient Education/Consumer Health

Books

There are many consumer health information books of widely varying quality available to patients. Patients most commonly obtain health information books from public libraries and bookstores. Some hospitals have patient education libraries, which may be professionally staffed and maintained, or may be staffed by volunteers and have dated collections. Patients/health care consumers deserve the best available information. The UMKC Health Sciences Library has limited resources for patient education, but can provide the following materials (among others): The UMKC Health Sciences Library also has a small collection of patient education brochures in a vertical file. Many health associations (ACOG, American Lung Association, etc.) provide patient education materials; addresses and phone numbers for these organizations can be found in such reference books as

If you don't find what you need, visit (or call or email) your librarian.

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Journals

American Family Physician commonly includes one-page patient education sheets on various illnesses and medical conditions. Tutorial reviews from such journals as Postgraduate Medicine, Hospital Practice, Geriatrics, American Family Physician, and others can be helpful to patients seeking information.

Databases

Many patients want access to all the information that health providers have about a disease or condition, including ongoing clinical trials, or names of researchers in the field. Likely sources of information include, but are not limited to: MEDLINE (indexes clinical medical literature 1966-present), PDQ (Physicians Data Query includes much information on cancer treatment protocols and trials), AIDSLINE-AIDSDRUGS-AIDSTRIALS (three NLM databases covering AIDS literature, AIDS drugs, and AIDS clinical trials). Patients can search PDQ on the Internet.

MEDLINE Search Hint

To find articles in the medical literature about patient education, use the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading)"patient education." Related terms include "Health education, dental," "Health fairs," and "Sex education," all gathered under the more general term "Health education." To find journal articles about specific conditions or diseases suitable for patients, use the publication type "review, tutorial." Also helpful is the publication type "practice guideline."

For more MEDLINE information, read the Medline Search Guide or consult your medical librarian.

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Images

Remember that slides, CD-ROM images, models, and other visual information useful for patient education are available in the Medical Education Media Center. See also the University of Missouri-Kansas City Image Bank.

Patient Education on the Internet

Many associations, listservs, and newsgroups exchange information and encouragement for patients. Suggested sources of information about these groups include:

  • Call the Alliance of Genetic Support Groups at 1-800-336-GENE (U.S.) or 301-652-5553.
  • In Canada call the Genetics Resource Centre at Children's Hospital of Western Ontario at 519-685-8140.
  • Usenet group alt.support.hierarchy

    Many patients will also ask about stories heard recently in the news, or about alternative therapies. To learn more about these, try the links on the Medical Reference page.

    Health care consumers should beware of unproven, unsafe, and ineffective therapies offered both by well-intentioned people and by greedy quacks. Be suspicious of any offer that includes the words *secret*miracle*cure*guaranteed*
    For more information, check the National Council Against Health Fraud or Quackwatch.

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    CML's Information Resources Home Page UMKC School of Medicine Home Page UMKC Health Sciences Library Home Page

    http://research.med.umkc.edu/teams/cml/PtEd.html updated 5/98 by pfannenstiel@cctr.umkc.edu