Finding reliable medical information on the web can be more difficult than one would assume. Evaluating the accuracy, sponsorship, and currency of retrieved information can be difficult. High quality resources can be located by applying specific criteria to the evaluation of retrieved information content. The first links on this page provide guidelines that can be employed as one reviews medical web sites.
Following this, a number of links are provided to help individuals conduct searches in specific topic areas. Links are categorized by the type of information contained on a website.
Please note our disclaimer: materials at The Community Health Library of Los Gatos are not intended to replace advice or instruction of a healthcare professional. Also, the links found on this web site do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by The Community Health Library of Los Gatos.
We are not responsible for the content of web sites referenced from this site.
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Medical Web site Evaluation Criteria: Provided on the California Medical Association web site.
Internet Tutorials: A guide covering search techniques and evaluating web information from the University at Albany Libraries.
How To Choose A Search Engine: A guide to selecting web search tools to locate specific types of information.
HON
Code of Conduct For Medical & Health Websites:
Sites that display the HON
Symbol agree to adhere to these principles in their website
design.
PubMedplus: A portal for locating information on diseases, conditions, drugs, medical terminology, support groups, health libraries, and other resources.
NLM Gateway: Search for journal articles, books, and other resources held by the National Library of Medicine.
PubMed: A service of the National Library of Medicine, provides access to over 11 million MEDLINE citations back to the mid-1960's.
NLM:
National Library of Medicine Homepage.
Information Describing Clinical Trials: Describes types of clinical trials and tells how one may participate.
Clinical Trials.Gov: Source for locating clinical trials for many types of diseases.
CenterWatch: Source for locating clinical trials for many types of diseases.
CancerNet: Source for locating Cancer Clinical Trials.
Actis: Source for locating AIDS Clinical Trials.
Clinical
Alerts:
Important results from NIH
funded clinical trials.
Informed Health Online Summaries of evidence-based research from the Cochrane Database. This information is written to help lay audiences understand medical topics from an evidenced-based perspective..
Cochrane Consumer Network A website devoted to the ways consumers can contribute to the Cochrane Collaboration.
Netting The Evidence: An indepth look at evidence-based medicine with links to numerous articles describing this approach.
Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality: Evidence-based information on various medical conditions.
National Guideline Clearinghouse: Evidence-based treatment guideline database.
CDC Guidelines & Recommendations: Up-to-date and archived guidelines and recommendations approved by the CDC for the prevention and control of disease, injuries, and disabilities.
Infectious Diseases Society of America: Practice Guidelines.
Trip Database:
The TRIP Database searches over
70 sites of high-quality medical
information.
National Cancer Institute: Information on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
American Cancer Society: This site contains numerous resources for cancer patients, their friends, and family. Includes coping, survivorship, and specific disease information.
Oncolink: A wide variety of topics related to cancer are listed and discussed with extensive links to organizations.
Understanding Colon Cancer: This site contains a wealth of information on the detection, treatment, and prevention of colon cancer.
Pancreatica.Org: This site includes Fequently Asked Questions about Pancreatic Cancer, News, Articles, and links to a searchable Clinical Trials Database.
Cancer Care: In addition to discussing specific types of Cancer, this website contains coping and support resources, Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs ,and free Teleconference Educational Programs.
Cancer Fatigue: Resources for understanding and coping with cancer and treatment induced fatigue.
Dept. of
Pain Medicine & Palliative Care at Beth Israel Medical
Center:
Resources for individuals who
are caring for a patient with a serious
illness.
On Our Own Terms: Bill Moyer's Web site deals with the impact of the Hospice movement on the way Americans respond to death. Numerous annotated links are listed.
The Coalition: Information on California-based organizations dealing with death and dying issues.
Advance Directives: This part of the CMA Website explains Advance Healthcare Directives and provides a link to purchase the California form.
Advance Directives II:
This site includes a free
downloadable version of the California Directive and extensive
information on end-of-life care.
Coda Allinance:
The focus of this organization is to help individuals express their end
of life desires and formulate advanced care plans that that incorporate
these beliefs.
Zen Hospice Project: ZHP provides a spectrum of collaborative services including residential hospice care, volunteer programs and educational efforts that foster wisdom and compassion in service.
Missoula
Demonstration Project:
A wealth of information on death and
dying, bereavement, and caregiving.
DyingWell.Org: Dr. Ira Byock's website containes interviews with this palliative care specialist, website links, and additional resource guides.
Center For Practicle
Bioethics:
The focus of this institution is on
ethical issues
involving serious illness and end-of-life
care. (Formerly known as The Midwest Bioethics Center).
Self-Help Sourcebook Online: Searchable by topic. Information on support groups for many different conditions.
Health
Agencies:
Search by topic to locate
organizations providing information and assistance in dealing
with various diseases and medical conditions.
Physican
and Hospital Locator:
Locate Medical Specialists and
Hospitals.
FDA Consumer Pages: Consumer section covers food, drugs, veterinary products, news items and more.
FDA Homepage: Information on food, drugs, regulatory actions, etc.
Medlineplus Drug Information: Search for 9,000 prescription and over-the-counter medications provided by the United States Pharmacopeia.
RxList: Search for drug and herbal information.
Orphan Drugs: Article from the FDA Consumer describing the Orphan Drugs.
Orphan DrugsII: A list of Orphan Drugs and additional information.
Medwatch: Safety Information Summaries covering biologics, drugs, dietary supplements and medical devices.
NeedyMeds: Special assistance programs for low income individuals needing medications.
Free Meds:
Brief article and links on low
cost or free medications.
Lab Tests
Online: Search by
condition or test to learn
more about these important medical procedures.
CDC Travelers' Health: Answers to health related travel questions can be found on these pages. Includes vaccination requirements, illness prevention, and special issues regarding children and pets.
CDC Travelers' Reference Guide: Find current inspection reports for specific cruise ships, an in-depth travel reference book published biennially by the CDC, disease outbreak information updated every two weeks, links to the World Health Organization and the International Society of Travel Medicine, and non-medical information from the State Department, Customs Service, and the CIA.
U.S.
Department of State - Bureau
of Consular Affairs: Traveler
warnings, country
information sheets, crime information, foreign doctors and
hospitals, and legal assistance abroad.
International Food Information Council Foundation: Site contains extensive information on nutrition, vitamins and minerals, food biotechnology, food allergies, food safety, food production, plus a glossary of food related terms.
American Dietetic Association: Foods, dieting, nutrition fact sheets, healthy lifestyle tips, food pyramid, reading lists, and a searchable database of registered dietitian consultants.
Obesity Research Chair: Canadian University Medical site contains information on obesity research, treatment, support groups, and web resources.
FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition: This site focuses on food safety, foodborne illness, food additives, food irridation, pesticides and chemical contaminants, and food labeling and nutrition.
Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health: Examine inspection reports on restaurants and markets in Santa Clara County.
Santa Clara County
Department of Environmental Health Links Page: Links to government and
industry food safety organizations.
American Dental Association: Covered topics include dental health, consumer information, dental code of ethics, and dental insurance plans.
American
Dental
Hygienists' Association: A one stop source for
timely, reliable, and easy-to-use oral health information.
California Dental Association: Covered topics include dental health, consumer information, dental code of ethics, and dental insurance plans.
Waldmann
Dental Library Links Page: Extensive
list of dental links
including professional organizations.
HealthCentral: The Dr. Dean Edell web site contains health news items, health assessment tools, nutrition and exercise resources, specific conditions described and discussed, and alternative health information.
Dr. Weil Homepage: Herbal, alternative, and complementary resources.
NOAH Alternative Health: This web site discusses the use of various alternative therapies for the treatment of specific diseases and conditions.
Alternative Medicine Homepage: This site is a jump station for sources of information on unconventional, unorthodox, unproven or alternative, complementary, innovative, integrative therapies.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health: Fact sheets, consensus statements, scientific studies, and links to clinical trials employing alternative - complementary approaches to medicine and health.
Dr. Emmett Miller: Relaxation skills information from one of the founders of mind - body medicine. Commercial web site.
Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality:
Information on common medical
conditions, reducing medical errors, working with your healthcare
provider, and health insurance issues.
NOAH About Sexuality: Portal page provides links to resources addressing dating, safer sex, abstinence, birth control, sexual orientation, sex and health, and sexual assault. Related NOAH pages cover AIDS, men's health, women's health, pregnancy, and STD's.
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS): This site contains sex educational resources for parents, teens, and seniors. Also included are annotated bibliographies, and extensive organizational links.
Go Ask Alice: Columbia University health question and answer Internet service.
Planned Parenthood: Birth control, sex education, and sexual health issues.
American Social Health Organization: STD information, sex education, organizational links.
Intitute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS): Educational institute conducting research and offering advanced degrees in the field of Human Sexuality.
The Kinsey Institute: Educational institute conducting research and offering advanced degrees in the field of Human Sexuality.
California State University Northridge Center for Sex Research: The CSR is comprised of faculty, staff, and professional educators, researchers, and therapists with an interest and background in the field of sexuality. The CSR is as diverse as the population that it serves and is dedicated to the concept that knowledge provides freedom from ignorance.
The Society for the
Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS): SSSS is an international
organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about
sexuality. It is the oldest organization of professionals
interested in the study of sexuality in the United
States.
The Cross Cultural Health Care Program: Recognizing the diversity and the different ways to health, the mission of the Cross Cultural Health Care Program is to serve as a bridge between communities and health care institutions to ensure full access to quality health care that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. Site includes information on cross cultural competency, and medical interpreter services.
The Cross Cultural Health Care Program Community Links: Culturally competant healthcare training information.
Culture,
Health and Literacy: A
guide to health education materials for adults with limited english
literacy skills. Developed by World Education in collaboration with the
National Instiute For literacy.
USNEWS.COM Best Hospitals: Search for hospitals regionally or by specialty. (Use the pull down Rankings & Guides Menu). The U.S. News hospital rankings are designed to assist you in your search for the highest level of medical care. Our Best Hospitals Finder makes that search even easier.
American Board of Medical Specialties: Learn more about medical specialties and find a Board Certified Physician in your area. Search by specialty of by physician name.
AMA Doctor Finder: Use this feature to find a specialist in your area.
Medical Board of California: The Medical Board of California is the State agency that licenses medical doctors, investigates complaints, disciplines those who violate the law, conducts physician evaluations, and facilitates rehabilitation..
Osteopathic Medical Board of California: Licensing board for osteopathic physicians.
Federation of State Medical Boards: Since 1912, the Federation of State Medical boards has collected information on disciplinary actions taken against physicians, making our database the most sophisticated and trusted source for complete and accurate physician disciplinary information in the United States.
Board of Registered Nursing: California Nursing Board.
California Board of Pharmacy: The California State Board of Pharmacy was established in 1891 to protect consumers by licensing and regulatig those responsible for dispensing medications to the public.
California
Law: Search
California codes. The
information is updated nightly after the Legislature has
completed its work for the day. On the weekend, the system is
updated once after the close of business for the Legislature on
Friday.
Consumer Health Libraries: List of consumer health libraries organized by state with links to each library's homepage.
Consumer and Patient Section of the Medical LKibrary Association (Caphis): Searchable database of consumer health libraries that includes both national and international libraries.
Bay Area Health Libraries: List of local health libraries with links to homepages.
Community Health Library of Los Gatos: A non-profit consumer and medical library. The facility is Open To The Public and most services are provided for free.
PlaneTree San Jose: PlaneTree is a comprehensive consumer health and medical library that is free and open to the public.
PlaneTree San Francisco: The originator of Consumer Health Libraries in the United States. PlaneTree is a health and medical library open free to the general public.
Stanford Health Library: A free and open to the public health information library.
Stanford Medical Library
(Lane Library): The
public and corporate members are both welcome
to visit the library and utilize the collection. Librarians will
be happy to assist you with your information needs. In general
non-affiliated users may not check out materials without
purchasing a library card first.
Chatton
Medical Library
(Santa Clara County - Valley Medical Center):
This County Medical Library is open to the public. Librarians will
be happy to assist you with your information needs. In general
users who are not professionally affiliated with Valley Medical Center
may not check out materials.
DrGreene.com
- Caring for the
Next Generation: Dr.
Greene is a Pediatrian on
the Clinical Faculity at Stanford University School of Medicine. This
website provides information on common medical problems of
infants, children, and teenagers. The site can be searched by
selecting a topic, or by age. A community section provides an
opportunity to ask questions of Dr. Greene