You May Want More Information...
After contacting the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [NIAMS] or the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse, you may want to find additional information on a disease or disorder. 

Searching
for medical information can be confusing, especially for first-timers. 

However, if you are patient and stick to it, you can find a wealth of
information.  As you may or may not know, today\'s computer technology is making it easier than ever before to track down medical and health information.  Other good sources of information include textbooks, journal articles, reference books, and health care organizations.  This blog explains how to locate these important sources of information.  PDF is also available. (HERE)

                                      [Where to find Medical Information]

   [Start with Your Community Library]

Most
people have a library in or near their community, and it\'s a good place
to start to look for medical information  Before going to the library,
you may find it useful  to make a list of topics you ant information
about and questions
you have.  Also, if you received a NIAMS

information package, you\'ll notice the list of additional referenced at
the end of most articles.  You may want to get a copy of some of these
articles.  Your topic list and the information package will make it
easier for the librarian to direct you to the best resources. 

The following are some types of resources you are likely to find at, or access through, your local library:

BASIC MEDICAL REFERENCES

Many
community libraries have a collection of basic medical references. 
These references may include medical dictionaries or encyclopedias,
drug information handbooks, basic medical and nursing textbooks, and
directories of physicians and medical specialists (listings of
doctors).  You may also wish to find magazine articles on a certain
topic.  Look in the Reader\'s Guide to Periodical Literature for articles on health and medicine that were publishes in consumer magazines.

COMPUTER DATABASES

Infotrac,
a CD-ROM computer database available at libraries or on the Web,
indexes hundreds of popular magazines and newspapers, as well as some
medical journals such as the Journal of American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine.

Your library may also carry searchable computer databases of medical journal articles, including MEDLINE/PubMed [http://pubmed.gov] 

or the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature.  Many
of the databases or indexes have abstracts that provide a summary of
each journal article.  Although most community libraries don\'t have a
large collection of medical and nursing journals, your librarian may be
able to get copies of the articles you want.  Interlibrary loans allow
your librarian to request a copy of an article from a library that
carries that particular medical journal.  Your library may charge a fee
for the service.

Articles published in medical journals can be
technical, but they may be the most current source of information on
medical topics.

    MEDICAL AND HEALTH DIRECTORIES

You
may find useful medical and health information directories at your
library, the librarian can help with the  following resources:*

• Directory of Physicians in the United States. 
  
  Chicago, IL:  American Medical Association (AMA).  Updated yearly. 
  Provides information such as address, medical school attended, year of
  license, specialty, and certifications for physicians who are members
  of the AMA.

• Health Hot-lines. 
  A booklet of toll-free numbers of health information hot-lines
  available from the National Library of Medicine [NLM] or on the
  Internet at [http://healthhotlines.nlm.nih.gov]

• Medical and Health Information Directory. 
  
  Detroit, MI:  Gale Research.  Updated yearly.  Includes publications
  organizations, libraries and health services (three volumes).

• The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists. 
  New Providence, NJ:  Marquis Who\'s Who.  Updated yearly.  Provides
  information on physicians certified in various specialties by the
  American Board of Medical Specialists.

• Rees, A., editor, The Consumer Health Information Sourcebook.  7th edition.  American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse, 2003.  Lists over 1,000 organizations that offer support groups.

MedlinePlus.gov also has a number of directories available freely to search for health facilities, health providers, and services at: [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/directories.html]

If
you find a particularly useful book at the library, you can buy a copy
at your local bookstore.  If the book isn\'t in stock, your bookstore
can probably order a copy for you.

Some medical references have
been converted from book form to CD-ROM or dish for use on a personal
computer.  If you have a computer with a CD-ROM drive, color monitor,
and sound card, you can use compact disks to locate medical
information.  Check with your local bookstore or computer store for
software programs that contain health information. Many other medical
references or databases are available online through the Internet.

*Names
of resources and organizations included in this blog are provided as
examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed
by the NIH or any other government agency.  Also, if a particular
resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply
that it is unsatisfactory.

 Some Popular References for the Home Library

• American
  Medical Association Family Medical Guide. 4th edition. 20044 John Wiley
  
  & Sons (available in book and CD-Rom format) and American Medical
  Association Complete Medical Encyclopedia. Random House, 2003.

• John Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies: The Complete Home Medical Reference. New York: Rebus Publishing, 2003.
  

• Medical Clinic Family Health Book, Third Edition. HarperResource, 2003.
  

• The Merck Manual of Medical Information (Home Edition). 2nd Edition. Rahway, NJ: The Merck Publishing Group, 2004
  

• Professional Guide to Diseases. 7th edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilking, 2001.

The Federal Government as well as many medical societies and nonprofit
health organizations are also good sources of information. The Federal
Government operates a number of clearing house and information
centers, including the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse. Services vary
but may include publications, referrals, and answers to consumer
inquiries.
To obtain a free list of Federal Information clearinghouses,
visit the National Health Information Center\'s home page [http://www.health.gov/nhic],
write to P.O. Box 1133, Washington, DC 20012-1133, or call (800)
336-4797.



Many voluntary health organizations are devoted to specific diseases or
conditions (i.e, the Scleroderma Foundation, National Alopecia Areata
Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, Lupus Foundation of America, etc.).
Other organizations such as the American Association of Retired
Persons, serves a particular population group and provide information
on a variety of topics, including health-related ones.

Your librarian
or a NIAMS Information Clearinghouse information specialist can help
you locate appropriate organizations and support networks. Many of
these organizations offer referrals, publications, newsletters,
educational programs, and local support groups. Your doctor may be able
to tell you about support groups in your community as well.



There are many more organizations, call the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse for additional information.

Examples of health-related associations and organizations that provide information on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and skin diseases

  American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons American College of Rheumatology American Physical Therapy Association American Skin Association Arthritis Foundation National Osteoporosis Foundation

      [Look for A Medical Library] Medical libraries can usually be found at medical, nursing, and dental schools; large medical centers; and community hospitals. Not all hospital or academic libraries are open to the public, but a librarian at your community library may be able to give you the information about the closest medical library open to the public. A medical library has a large collection of resources, including many medical and nursing textbooks and a comprehensive collection of medical and health-related journals.  Although you may not be allowed to check out materials, most libraries have photocopiers you can use to copy material you want to take home. Â

[Library Resources]

Computer databases Directories of board-certified medical specialists Drug reference book Medical and diagnostic laboratory testing manuals Medical and health information directories Medical dictionaries Medical encyclopedias Medical, nursing and allied health textbooks.

                                [Investigate Other Options for Finding Information]

People
who are unable to get to a community medical library have several
options for finding additional medical information.  Some community
libraries provide access to online databases that can be searched from
a home computer via a modem.  In addition, your doctor, nurse,
pharmacist, dietitian, or the patient education department at your
local hospital may be available to provide you with pamphlets,
brochures and journals or direct you to classes, seminars and health
screenings.

         [Use Telephone and Fax Services]

Some
communities a have a telephone medical service that allows  callers to
listen to audiotapes on certain disease topics.  Also, your health
insurance company or health maintenance organization may have a nurse
available to answer health-related questions over the telephone.

If
you have access to a fax machine, you can get health information from
some organizations in just a few minutes.  If a fax-back system is
available, use the telephone of your fax machine to call the fax-back
number and listen to the instructions.  In most cases, you can request
a list or menu of information to be sent to you first.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at (888)232-3299 (toll-free)

is an example of an organization that has information available by
fax.  Your librarian can help you locate other fax services.

         [Explore Computer Databases]

The computer has become an important tool
for helping people locate medical and health information quickly and
easily.  Most software and information services are user friendly and
allow people  with no formal training in computer searching to use
databases to obtain information.  Using  a computer at home or in the
library, you can find health information by searching CD-ROM databases,
searching online on the Internet, or using a health related software
program.

As mentioned earlier, many public libraries have Infotrac,
a database that includes consumer health information.  It indexes
popular magazine and newspapers to 2 and 4 years worth of medical
publications.  Medical libraries have more extensive medical
databases.  Just ask your librarian to help you find the most
appropriate CD-ROM or online (Internet) databases for your needs.  Many
medical databases can also be accessed from your own home or work
computer or wherever you have Internet access.


Here are some major databases worth searching:

• MEDLINE/PubMed. 
  
  This database contains citations and often abstracts over 15 million
  articles in over 4,800 biomedical journals on all aspects of
  bio-medicine and allied health fields.  MEDLINE/PubMed [http://pubmed.gov] now covers the literature from 1951 to the present and is available free of charge through the NLM Website at [http://www.nlm.nih.gov]  Some free full -text articles are available through publishers and PubMed Central [http://pubmedcentral.nih.gov]

• DIRLINE 
  
  This database contains location and description information about a
  wide variety of resources, including organizations, research resources,
  projects, databases, and electronic bulletin boards concerned with
  health and biomedicine.  The database is available online through the
  NLM at no fee at [http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov]

[SEARCH THE INTERNET]

The
Internet is a worldwide network of computers that can exchange
information almost instantaneously.  The world Wide Web (abbreviated
www in computer addresses), or more simply, the Web is a system of
electronic documents linked together and available on the Internet for
anyone with a computer, a modem, and an Internet provider account. 
While the terms\"Internet\" and \"World Wide Web\" are often used
interchangeably, the Web is actually part of the Internet that supports
the use of graphics, pictures, sound and even video.

In addition
to the aforementioned databases, you can find a wealth of information
on the Web-everything from the latest medical research to facts about
particular conditions.  The Internet also offers other resources such
as bulletin boards, online publications, forums for discussion of
current medical issues and online support groups.  For example, and American Self-Help Clearinghouse offers an online version of its Self-Help SourceBook at [www.mentalhelp.net/selfhelp]

that provides information on support groups and networks available in
your information n support groups and networks available in your
community and throughout the world.  The site also provides a link to
the Self-Help Resource room that contains information about online
support groups and other health resources.

Help With Searching On The Internet

Searching
for health information on the Internet can be confusing  and
difficult.  The sheer volume of information can be over whelming, and
people often find it difficult to narrow down search topics or find
specific Websites.  Although and Internet search engine such as GOOGLE,
YAHOO or Netscape is meant to help you find information, search results
on specific topic ofter reveal thousands of websites, many of which may
be unrelated to the information you want.  You may want to get a copy
of a reference book that provides tips on how to find information in
the Internet.



National Library of Medicine

Following are some services offered by the National Library of Medicine:

MEDLINE and MedlinePlus.  You can search the NLM\'s MEDLINE database, free of charge, on the Web.  The link to this database can be found on the NLM homepage at [http://www.nlm.nih.gov]  You can conduct a search in the Web-based product, PubMed.  It provides you with free access to Medline and for a fee, allows you to use Loansome Doc Delivery Service to order copies of articles.  PubMed

links you to publishers\' sites for over 4,400 full-text journals; some
are by subscription only.  You can also access NLM Gateway, [http://pubmedcentral.nih.gov] through the NLM Gateway [http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov] which searches many NLM databases simultaneously.

MedlinePlus

is designed to assist consumers in locating authorative health
information on the Internet.  This service provides access to extensive
health information on the Internet.  This service provides access to
extensive information about specific diseases and conditions and has
links to consumer health information from the National Institutes of
Health, dictionaries, lists of hospitals and physicians, clinical
trials, health information in English and Spanish, and some selected
materials in other languages.

Links to preformulated searches of the MEDLINE database allow you to find references to the latest health professional articles on each topic.  The adam.com

medical encyclopedia included in MedlinePlus brings health consumers an
extensive library of medical images as well as over 4,000 articles
about diseases, tests, symptoms, injuries, and surgeries.  Drug
information from the United States Pharmacopoeia and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is also available on the site.  In addition, MedlinePlus has an online medical dictionary licensed from the Patient Education Institute on a variety of health topics in English and Spanish.

NIH SeniorHealth.gov  This Website [http://www.nihseniorhealth.gov]
for older adults was developed by the National Institute on Aging and

NLM to access health information, including the choice of speech
activated text and resources for low-vision seniors.

ClinicalTrials.gov 
ClinicalTrials.gov is an information service of the National Institutes
of Health developed by the NLM that provides patients, family members,
health care professionals and the public with easy access to
information on clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and
conditions.  This database provides opportunities to participate in the
evaluation of new treatments.  The NLM is developing the database in
collaboration with all NIH institutes, other Federal agencies, the
pharmaceutical industry and academic and other nonprofit
organizations.  You can access this database on the Web at [http://clinicaltrials.gov]

Genetics Home Reference.   

This is NLM\'s web site for consumer information about genetic
conditions and the genes or chromosomes responsible for those
conditions.  Also included are discussions of genes, gene therapy,
genetic testing and consultation.  You can access the database on the
Web at: [http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/]

TOXNET  This is NLM\'s comprehensive toxicology and environmental health database.  It can be accessed at:  [http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov]  and includes access to databases such as the DIRLINE and:

• HSDB (Hazardous Substances Data Bank),
  a comprehensive, scientifically reviewed, factual database containing
  records for over 4,500 toxic or potentially toxic chemicals.
• TOXLINE ,
  which contains references to literature on biochemical,
  pharmacological, physiological and toxicological effects of drugs and
  other chemicals
• Haz-Map, which has references to occupational exposure to hazardous materials
• Tox Town,
  containing references to toxic chemicals and environmental health risks
  you might encounter in everyday life, in everyday places
• Household Products Database, which addresses potential health effects, safety and handling of products found in your home and garage.

Department of Health and Human Services

        healthfinder. 

To help people find health information on the Internet, the Federal
Government\'s Department of Health and Human Services has developed a
Website called healthfinder [http://www.healthfinder.gov]. 
This site serves as a gateway or point of entry to the broad range of
consumer health information resources produced by the government and
many of its partners.  healthfinder includes a searchable index and
locator aids for news, publications, online journals, support and
self-help groups, online discussions, and toll-free numbers.



Don\'t Believe Everything You Read

As
you make purchases for your home library or search the Internet, keep
in mind that not all information is written by qualified medical
experts.  Your doctor or a health organization may be able to recommend
some good books or helpful Internet sites.  When looking for health
information on the Internet, don\'t believe everything you see. 

Articles published by peer-reviewed medical journals are checked for
accuracy, but anyone can put information on the Internet, so there\'s no
guarantee that the information you find is accurate or up-to-date.  In
addition, many companies set up Web sites primarily to sell their
products.  If you search and shop with care, you can add some medically
sound reference materials to your home library and find accurate
information on the Internet.

Use Information Wisely

It
can be hard to judge the accuracy and credibility of medical
information you read in books or magazines, see on television, or find
on the Internet.  Even people with medical backgrounds sometimes find
this task challenging.  The following are some important tips to help
you decide what information is believable and accurate:

• Compare
  several different resources on the same topic.  Check two or three
  other articles or books to see whether the information or advice is
  similar.
• Check the author\'s credentials by looking
  up his or her affiliations, such as university and medical school
  attended, associations, and lists of other publications.

For doctors, this information can be found in one of the physician directories at you library or on the American Medical Association\'s (AMA) Web site at [http://www.ama-assn.org]
(click on AMA Physician Select).  You can also call the American Board
of Medical Specialists at (866) ASK-ABMS (275-2267)  to see whether a
physician is board certified in his or her specialty.  Your librarian
can help you find other resources to check the credentials of
non-physicians.

• Ask
  yourself if the information or advice \"rings true.\"  That is, is it
  feasible, plausible, and common sense, or is it wishful thinking or
  sensationalism?

• Look
  for a list of references at the end of the article or book. 
  
  Information that is backed up by other medical professionals and
  researchers is more likely to be accurate.

• Check
  out your information source.  Was the article published in a
  peer-reviewed journal, articles are reviewed by other qualified members
  of the profession for accuracy and reliability.

• Look
  very carefully at information published in newspapers and magazines or
  reported on television.  Most reporters are journalists rather than
  medical experts.  In addition, newspapers and television reporters may
  use sensationalism to attract more readers or viewers.  Medical facts
  and statistics can be misrepresented or incomplete.  Check to see
  whether the newspaper or magazine cites a source for its information
  and includes the credentials of the persons cited.

• Examine
  a magazine\'s list of editors.  Do medical experts serve as editors and
  review articles?  Be especially wary of personal testimonials of
  miracle cures.  Furthermore, don\'t trust medical product advertisements
  claiming miracle cures or spectacular results.

• Compare
  the information you find on the Internet with other resources.  Check
  two or three articles in the medical literature or medical textbooks to
  see whether the information or advice is similar.

• Check
  the author\'s or organization credentials.  The should be clearly
  displayed on the Web site.  If the credentials are missing, consider
  this a red flag.  Unfortunately, there are many so-called doctors and
  other health professionals making false claims on the Internet. 

• Find
  out if the Web site maintained by a reputable health organization. 
  
  
  Remember that no one regulates information o the Internet.  Anyone can
  set up a home page and claim anything.  Some reliable Web sites
  providing health information include those of government agencies,
  health foundations and associations, and medical colleges.  In general,
  sites ending in .gov (government), .edu
  (education) and .org (organization) are more likely to provide more
  reputable medical information than those ending in .com (commercial;
  that is, a site designed to sell a product or products).

• Be
  wary of Web sites advertising and selling products that claim to
  improve your health.  More important, be very careful about giving out
  credit-card information on the Internet.  Further, even if nothing is
  being sold on a Website, ask yourself if the site host has an interest
  in promoting a particular product or service.

• Ask
  yourself whether the information or advice seems to contradict what
  you\'ve learned from your doctor.  If so, talk to your doctor to clarify
  the differences in the information.

• Be
  cautious when using information found on bulletin boards or during
  \"chat\" sessions with others.  Testimonials and personal stories are
  based on one person\'s experience rather than on objective facts or
  proven medical research.

Medical
information, especially material written for health care providers, can
be hard to understand, confusing, and sometimes frightening.  As you
read through your materials, write down any words or information you
don\'t understand or find confusing.  Make a list of your questions and
concerns.  During your next office visit, ask your doctor, nurse, or
other health professional to review the information with you so that
you understand clearly how it might be helpful to you.

If
the medical information you gathered is for a personal health problem,
you may want to share what you found with your spouse, other family
members, or a close friend.  Family members and friends understand your
health problem are better able to provide support needed and care. 

Finally, you might want yo consider joining a support group in your
community.  You may find it helpful to be able to talk with others who
have the same health problem and share your feelings or concerns.  

You may wish to look at several MEDLINEplus health topic pages that deal with patient issues and communicating with your health care provider:

• Talking with Your Doctor [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/talkingwithyourdoctor.html]

• Patient Issues [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/patientissues.html]

• Choosing a Doctor or Health Care Service [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/choosingadoctororhealthcareservice.html]

• Personal Medical Records [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/personalmedicalrecords.html]

Ultimately,
the information you gather from print and electronic resources can help
you approach issues about your health care:  how to prevent illness,
maintain optimal health, and address your specific health problems.
Armed with this knowledge, you can more actively work in a partnership
with your doctor and other health car professionals to explore
treatment options and make health care decisions.  Health care experts
predict that today\'s computer and telecommunication systems will result
in a new era-the health care system information age-built around
health-savvy, health-responsible consumers who are the primary managers
of their own health and medical care.



FOR MORE INFORMATION
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethsada, MD 20892-3675
Phone : 301-495-4484 or (877) 22-NIAMS (226-4267) - free of charge
TTY: 301-565-2966
Fax: 301-718-6366
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
www.niams.nih.gov