Canadian consumer health information (CHI) portal

Reference books, realia & charts in a medical library Source: Wikicommons Are you interested in contributing to HLWIKI International – hlwiki.ca? contact: dean.giustini@ubc.ca To browse other articles on a range of HSL topics, see the A-Z index. Last Update 17 June 2013 Introduction See also Ten (10) portals on health librarianship | Information technology topics | Managing health libraries portal Key 4 stars denotes librarian-selected, high quality information. Starred sites are great places to begin your research. PubMed Health provides health information written at the college or university-level. MedlinePlus (U.S.) provides access to easy-to-read health information. An online or print publication intended to present Canadian health information for Canadians Major men's & women's health channels These pathfinders are works in progress and should not be viewed in any way as exhaustive or definitive. Children's Health | Infant care Men's Health Pathfinders Women's Health Pathfinders | Senior women's health Finding health information for British Columbians & Evaluating health information Consumer health information Disclaimer The HLWIKI International Advisory makes consumer health information (CHI) available to all -- however, it is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or as a substitute for consulting a doctor. While we strive to keep all content current and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of information, products, services, or related graphics contained here or on any of the websites listed. Only qualified health providers can provide health care e.g., they will take your health history, examine you, and bring their expertise and experience to bear on evaluating you. Put simply, advice regarding your care should always include your physician and other health providers. Please ask your local health librarian for further assistance. Find a health library near you List of Canadian health libraries by province Introduction to this portal The idea of a Canadian consumer health information portal originated at the 2009 CHLA/ABSC Conference. On return from the CHLA/ABSC Conference in Winnipeg, the wiki team planned the creation of files of consumer health information for Canadian health librarians and their patrons. The history behind this initiative is related to the demise of the Canadian Health Network (CHN) and the Consumer Health Information Service (CHIS) in Toronto. The wiki itself can be used by those Canadian health librarians who do not yet have a replacement for the now-defunct websites and lack a means to locate local, provincial and national CHI materials. This wiki entry is a starting point or portal to information for health consumers and patients and for librarians working in Canada. Please let me know if you would like to get involved in creating new files. Why a CHI Portal? Consumer health information (CHI) is a term used to describe the provision of health information to consumers. Due to its clear, non-technical presentation, CHI explains medical procedures, prescription drugs and healthcare systems to consumers. CHI includes information about diseases but may also deal with health prevention. CHI is found in pharmacies, grocery stores, health food stores, bookstores, physicians' offices, health and public libraries or via the Web. CHI is also a kind of biblio- or information therapy. CHI in Canada has seen tremendous growth in the last decade thanks to the Canadian Health Network (now defunct) and the Consumer Health Information Service (CHIS) (also defunct). From its early beginnings in hospitals and public libraries, CHI has grown into an important area for health librarians. Studies show that accurate health information is important in reducing anxiety in patients. Adequate provision of CHI is increasingly recognized as a factor in patient empowerment for informed decision-making and health maintenance. Disclaimer Disclaimer: The HLWIKI International Advisory makes consumer health information (CHI) available to all -- however, it is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or as a substitute for consulting a doctor. While we strive to keep all content current and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of information, products, services, or related graphics contained here or on any of the websites listed. Only qualified health providers can provide health care e.g., they will take your health history, examine you, and bring their expertise and experience to bear on evaluating you. Put simply, advice regarding your care should always include your physician and other health providers. Please ask your local health librarian for further assistance.