After viewing this session, attendees will: After viewing this session, attendees will

After viewing this session, attendees will:

• After viewing this session, attendees will:

• Understand the structure and depth of MedlinePlus

• Have knowledge of health topics and specialized content within the site

• Be able to apply advanced search techniques for better results

Overview of MedlinePlus

• Overview of MedlinePlus

• Health Topics in detail

• Different users – different needs

• Maximizing search results

• Special content and “hidden” nuggets

• Tools and resources for librarians

Brief history

• Brief history

• Size and statistics

• Basic website structure

How does MedlinePlus differ from commercial health sites and popular search engines?

• How does MedlinePlus differ from commercial health sites and popular search engines?

A trustworthy site for patients and consumers from the National Library of Medicine, containing resources and links to quality health information

• A trustworthy site for patients and consumers from the National Library of Medicine, containing resources and links to quality health information

• Often confused with MEDLINE/PubMed, the NLM database of citations from biomedical journals

Biased

• Biased

• A search engine like Google

• A site that sells or promotes products

• A site that collects personal information

Debuted in October 1998 with 22 health topics; now there are nearly 750 topics!

• Debuted in October 1998 with 22 health topics; now there are nearly 750 topics!

• Examples of content added since then:

• Spanish pages
• Extensive encyclopedia
• MedMasterTM drug database
• Evidence-based herbal info

Resources include:

• Resources include:

• Licensed content, e.g. interactive tutorials and surgery videos
• Collection of quality links to external content

• User-friendly design

• Mechanisms to facilitate different search styles
• Repetition of design and search elements

On the homepage, the main sections are shown on the left-hand side.

• On the homepage, the main sections are shown on the left-hand side.

The “Search” box appears on every page

• The “Search” box appears on every page

• The tabs across the top are on each page inside MedlinePlus

• Note: same topics as the homepage (except GoLocal)

Two databases in this section

• Two databases in this section

• Drugs  MedMasterTM
• Herbs  Natural Standard

• Evidence-based resources

• Link to new Dietary Supplements Labels database

• The “heart and soul” of MedlinePlus

• Multiple search tools address different searching styles

• A-Z list for searching alphabetically
• keyword search
• content groupings (ethnic, age, body area, etc)

Navigating the main health topic section

• Navigating the main health topic section

• Individual health topic pages

• design
• content

• Using the interactive body maps

Health topics

• Health topics

• Encyclopedia

• Drugs and Herbs and Supplements databases

• Interactive tutorials

• Surgery videos – some transcripts now available

• Toggle to Spanish, then search Spanish terms

Literacy - the ability to read and write

• Literacy - the ability to read and write

• Health literacy - ability to obtain, understand and act on verbal or written health information

• Both have implications for being able to make informed health care decisions!

Easy-to-read materials

• Easy-to-read materials

• Easy-to-understand interactive tutorials

• Note: reading level inconsistent; different organizations may use different criteria

• Guidelines for creating easy-to-read materials for your users

Fun, interactive tools for users

• Fun, interactive tools for users

Powered by Vivisimo

• Powered by Vivisimo

• Relevance ranking of results

• Results sorted into subsets (Collections)

• Phrase searching and Boolean logic

• Highlighted search terms

• Spell-checker

• Maximizing your efforts through smart search techniques

• Using Boolean logic and shortcut keys

• Advanced search tips

• More tips and tricks

OR, NOT, -, +, *

• OR, NOT, -, +, *

• No need to use AND; it is automatic

• Use Boolean for combining concepts

Perform a search

• Perform a search

• Look for the “Search Help” link

Efficient navigation

• Efficient navigation

• Health Topics A-Z
• Health Topics groups
• Drug Information
• Herbs and Supplements
• Easy-to-Read materials
• Interactive Health Tutorials
• Health Check Tools
• Low-Vision materials

Mining the depths of resources within MedlinePlus

• Mining the depths of resources within MedlinePlus

• Samples of health questions and finding answers

What does melanoma look like?

• What does melanoma look like?

• Does gingko really prevent dementia?

• Has this doctor been sued for malpractice?

• My friend has Stage IV ovarian cancer. Are there any studies for experimental drugs? Also, she lives in Tucson - are there any support groups there?

New image resource - VisualDx

• New image resource - VisualDx

• Herbs and Supplements – Natural Standard

• State licensing boards for MDs - DocFinder

• Clinical Trials, MEDLINE/PubMed, GoLocal

What does melanoma look like?

• What does melanoma look like?

• Search “Health Topics” for “melanoma”
• Go to “Multimedia and Cool Tools”
• Click on “Pictures and Photographs”

Uses based on evidence

• Uses based on evidence

• But how is the “Grade” determined?

• Use the “Directories” section to:

• Find a specialist in a certain city
• Find specialized healthcare facilities
• Find information about a specific doctor such as education, board certifications, and legal actions

Find a specialist in a certain city or find information about a certain doctor

• Find a specialist in a certain city or find information about a certain doctor

Has this doctor been sued for malpractice?

• Has this doctor been sued for malpractice?

Where is the nearest sleep clinic?

• Where is the nearest sleep clinic?

Are there any experimental drugs being tested for Stage IV ovarian cancer? How can I get in a research trial?

• Are there any experimental drugs being tested for Stage IV ovarian cancer? How can I get in a research trial?

I’m having knee replacement surgery – what can I expect?

• I’m having knee replacement surgery – what can I expect?

Currently 13 videos of actual knee surgeries; transcripts available also!

• Currently 13 videos of actual knee surgeries; transcripts available also!

From the “About Us” link

• From the “About Us” link

• FAQs

• Training materials for librarians

• Tutorials and more for library users

Current news from Reuters and HealthDay

• Current news from Reuters and HealthDay

• Email announcements – very useful!

• Search by date or topic, or use the search box and choose results for “News”

Go to MedlinePlus.gov homepage

• Go to MedlinePlus.gov homepage

• Click on link “Email Updates and RSS” in lower, right-hand corner

Daily or weekly news

• Daily or weekly news

• Specialty topics

MedlinePlus is much more than information about diseases and conditions

• MedlinePlus is much more than information about diseases and conditions

• Still more not covered here – go exploring!

• Please take the time to fill out the evaluation at the end – Thanks!