Health Information on the Web

A quick detour from TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Change)...

I've recently discovered a new google offering - the google knol (knol.google.com) - these are shared bits of wisdom on a variety of topics (including how to drive a long-distance truck). But, there are a number of high quality health topics written by physicians from around the country. Not every topic is mentioned, but it is a worthwhile site to check out.

Other great sites include:

mayo.com (general health info written at a 6th grade (I believe) level

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorial.html (wonderful site with video of different health topics and procedures)

www.familydoctor.org

I strongly recommend that my patients investigate health concerns and treatments on reputable web sites for a number of reasons:
1. It will reinforce what you learned at the doctor's office
2. It often has written information, pictures and sometimes even videos
3. You may find out new information that even your doctor doesn't know (yet)
4. It will often give a more comprehensive view of the topic than can be covered in a normal doctor's visit

Happy surfing...