ASSIGNMENT #3 (composite example) LIBR534 Health information sources & services (type of submission that got A+ or 20/20)

Question Patron description Possible sources in order

Search strategies & rationale / discussion

1 What is the Ebola virus? Do I need to be concerned about it for my family?

Visibly-nervous senior with his educated daughter both from BC

Health Canada

PHAC Canada Communicable Disease Report

BCCDC Also:

Google News

Speak calmly & reassuringly to help patron & to help patron’s daughter

Show both patrons Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada Ebola files; definitions; basic information; CCDR also

For international views, show Google News as easy way to stay current on Ebola

Ebola, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus disease and EVD can be used as search terms

For her interest, show HealthMap.org http://healthmap.org/en/

2 Can you find information on Haloperidol? Is it approved for use in Canada?

Middle-aged Canadian man with some knowledge of Canadian medical system

Health Canada Drug Product Database

E-CPSAlso:

Guide to Drugs in Canada

Health Canada Drug Product Database: server returned error message so tell patron to check resource later

E-CPS page for Haloperidol provides information from a Canadian perspective

If patron is interested in a print resource, Guide to Drugs in Canada may also be consulted

3 I’m looking for a physician in Ottawa named Dr. Claire Kendall. Can you tell me about her, where she went to school and her medical specialty?

Middle-aged woman Canadian Medical Directory

College of Physicians and Surgeons Ontario

See Canadian Medical Directory, available in print or online via Scott’s Directories

If patron is interested in online, see College of Physicians and Surgeons Ontario website

Dr. Kendall’s page includes general information including family medicine specialization and her schooling at the University of Ottawa

4 I need a definition for galeropia. Can you recommend a

Teenage boy working on a high school health project

Dorland’s Illustrated Medical

Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary and Stedman’s Medical Dictionary as print resources

ASSIGNMENT #3 (composite example) LIBR534 Health information sources & services (type of submission that got A+ or 20/20)

good print dictionary for a teenager studying health at school?

Dictionary Stedman’s

Medical Dictionary

Also: Oxford

Companion to Medicine (for future reference)

As for galeropia, Google reveals it is an old and not commonly used term, so the previously mentioned print books may be best

Patron is in high school and may be unaware of online resources so let him know about Oxford Companion to Medicine and MedlinePlus

5 I need a definition for and origin of Williams syndrome for a university project.

Young adult female university student

Whonamedit (no results)

MedlinePlus Jablonski's

Dictionary of Syndromes and Eponymic Diseases

Also: Dictionary of

Medical Syndromes

User interested in the origin of the syndrome, show Whonamedit.com; links for Williams syndrome are dead.

A Wikipedia search reveals the syndrome goes by several other names, but those links are also dead on Whonamedit

Search MedlinePlus which yields page on Williams syndrome with useful information

For more definitions and historical information, recommend Jablonski's Dictionary of Syndromes and Eponymic Diseases and the Dictionary of Medical Syndromes in print

6 Does gingko really prevent dementia? I’d like a few clinical studies if possible.

Elderly man interested in alternative treatments for preventing dementia

Wikipedia Rakel

Integrative Medicine

Natural Standard

Introduce the patron to the term CAM using Wikipedia, as this appears to be his area of interest

Search “gingko AND dementia” in Rakel; entry state that gingko has been proven to help with dementia

Show patron the gingko page on Natural Standard; more in-depth information about gingko and dementia, including a “B” rating of effectiveness

If patron is interested, click on Natural Standard’s page for dementia and show him the rankings of other CAM options

ASSIGNMENT #3 (composite example) LIBR534 Health information sources & services (type of submission that got A+ or 20/20)

Recommend that the patron see a doctor to follow up about dementia concerns and other preventative treatments

7 I have insomnia. Can I use chamomile to fall asleep instead of my prescription?

Middle-aged woman looking for alternative treatments for insomnia

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Natural Standard

Introduce the patron to the term CAM using Wikipedia, as this appears to be his area of interest

Show her the chamomile page on NCCAM, which gives an overview of the herb and states that there is little evidence to support its use in treating any condition

For further information, show the patron the chamomile page on Natural Standard, which has more in-depth information about chamomile and insomnia, including a “C” rating of its effectiveness

If the patron is interested, click on Natural Standard’s page for insomnia and show her the rankings of other CAM options

Recommend that the patron see a doctor before she makes any decisions regarding insomnia treatment

8 In Vancouver, several Asian communities eat lychee as part of their enjoyment of food. In pregnant or breastfeeding women, I hear lychee fruit can cause inflammation in the mouth for babies and mothers. Is this true? What does the evidence say?

Young adult woman who is pregnant and enjoys lychee

Brigg’s drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation (no results)

LactMed (no results)

Also: Natural

Standard

Search in Brigg’s drugs and LactMed = no results

Although unsuccessful, it was good to show resources to patron as they may be useful at other points during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Show lychee page in Natural Standard. Running a “find” search for pregnancy on this page reveals section devoted to pregnancy and lactation

The information reveals that while it is likely safe, there is a lack of research available

ASSIGNMENT #3 (composite example) LIBR534 Health information sources & services (type of submission that got A+ or 20/20)

9 My sister in Richmond has diabetes II. Are there online support groups she can join?

Teenage male looking for information for his slightly older sister

Red Book Online

HealthLink BCAlso:

Google found “The Diabetes Care Community”

Show Red Book Online and, as he is young, walk through how to effectively run a search on the site. A search reveals the contact details of one location in Richmond, the Garrett Wellness Centre, with a diabetes related group

Walk through Find Services and Resources page on the HealthLink. A search reveals diabetes support group based in Surrey that she can contact for more information

If she needs online support groups only, show that a Google search for “online diabetes support groups” returns several relevant resources

Inform the patron of online support communities such as Healthful Chat and Daily Strength

10

What are the long-term effects of anti-depressants and/or anti-anxiety drugs?

Young adult male recently diagnosed with depression2/2 Nice

Goodman & Gilman’s

E-CPSAlso:

Martindale

First, inform patron there are anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs available with varying effects

Goodman & Gilman’s provides good background on long-term effects of drugs

E-CPS for a Canadian perspective; or Martindale if patron wants a print resource

Recommend patient see a doctor for further questions about these drugs and other treatment options

11

Is the HPV vaccine safe? I am worried about side-effects for my teenage daughter. I am a physiotherapist by training. Also, should my son be vaccinated?

A middle-aged mother (a physiotherapist) whose daughter told her some of her friends had gotten HPV vaccine; she wonders if vaccine is necessary and safe

Medlineplus PHAC

Also: Gardisil

website

Start by searching MedlinePlus for consumer information; safety of vaccine is covered

Public Health Agency of Canada has a list of questions and answers on HPV with information specific to vaccines available in Canada

Patron is a physiotherapist so I ask if she would like to search the medical literature for in-depth studies. I would also remind her

ASSIGNMENT #3 (composite example) LIBR534 Health information sources & services (type of submission that got A+ or 20/20)

that it is best to speak to her children’s doctors if she has further questions

12

What are the real health benefits of hot yoga? I hear it can lower heart-rate. I’m a 29 year old female with a good education.

A female with graduate degree interested in hot yoga; she’s feeling stressed out and thought hot yoga might help

Natural Standard

MedlinePlus/ PubMed

Also: NCCAM

website

Yoga is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), so consult Natural Standard where entry for yoga provides information & health benefits

No specific information on hot yoga MedlinePlus revealed that “bikram yoga” is

a synonym for hot yoga; checked the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) but found little information.

Using search terms, “bikram yoga” AND “heart rate,” I searched PubMed and found a relevant journal article on this topic

13

What is the name of the legislation that led to the creation of the National Library of Medicine in the United States? Does Canada have a similar law?

A student librarian in MLIS program preparing a presentation for class

NLM Website

HLWIKI International

Google search verified my strategy to go to NLM website under history; legislation dates back to 1956 by Lister Hill & John F Kennedy

On HLWIKI, there is an entry on CISTI which provides background on the lack of legislation for Canada’s de-facto national medical library

14

Is there any real medical evidence that acupuncture is beneficial in treating pain?

A 35-year old with back pain. They are interested in going for acupuncture. They have an undergraduate degree in art history

Natural Standard

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database

Also: MedlinePlus

Acupuncture is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), so Natural Standard is a good place to start

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database has information about its effectiveness

Patron needs more so we searched MedlinePlus acupuncture AND pain finding more resources

Acupuncture: What You Need to Know had information on acupuncture for low-back pain

15

What does Health Canada do versus the Public

A student librarian trying to figure out

Health Canada

Both Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada have overviews about

ASSIGNMENT #3 (composite example) LIBR534 Health information sources & services (type of submission that got A+ or 20/20)

Health Agency of Canada?

where health information is stored and who is responsible for what…

Public Health Agency of Canada

their mission/scope Organizational charts reveal information

about how Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are related.

16

My 75 year old mother needs an overview of “shingles” including pictures

Middle-aged women looking for easy to understand health information for her mother, must have pictures.

HealthLinkBC

Melloni's Illustrated Medical Dictionary

Also: Creative

Commons search is also possible

Start by looking for sources that provide basic information. Ask patron what type of things she would like an overview to include.

Melloni's Illustrated Medical Dictionary combines colour illustrations with clear definitions

For more complete overview see HealthLinkBC website which has easy to understand definitions, causes, symptoms and common treatments. Basic pictures/diagram are included

17

My mother is having a hip replacement. Do you have any videos about this?

45-year-old female, seeking information for an elderly mother that has a hard time reading.

MedlinePlus HealthLinkBC

Also: YouTube

channel for Medlineplus

Dig deeper into question to reveal important facts that patron’s mother has poor eyesight and has hard time reading online.

MedlinePlus a US based resource offers useful videos on different surgeries including different types of hip surgeries.

I would also suggest HealthLinkBC as it allows you to change the size of the text, making it easier to read for visually impaired; provides a thorough but understandable overview of hip replacement surgery and a visual step-by-step of the process.

18

Can you please help me find some information or research about “Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy”?

55-year-old female, well-educated, and no major literacy issues. Looking for easy to understand

DSM5 WhoNamedIt

Also: Jablonski's

Dictionary of

WhoNamedIt has an excellent entry on the topic

The DSM5 will provide information about Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy as it is a mental illness

ASSIGNMENT #3 (composite example) LIBR534 Health information sources & services (type of submission that got A+ or 20/20)

background information she can consult because she is concerned for a family member.

Syndromes and Eponymic Diseases

Also: Jablonski’s Dictionary of Syndromes and

Eponymic Diseases will be good for background.

19

Why can’t I get a subscription of clofazimine in Canada?

27-year-old male who read online about the use of Clofazimine for mycobacterial infections in the US. No major literacy issues. They want to learn more about the drug and why it’s not offered in Canada

Health Canada Drug database

eCPSAlso:

NLM Drug Portal http://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/drugportal.jsp

For some drug topics, you may have to use Health Canada’s drug database which lists drug monographs and drugs approved for use with the CPS in print or online

I’d get background via the NLM’s Drug Portal

A news index may be important to find information about why the drug is not approved for use in Canada

20

My friend has Stage IV colon cancer. Can she enroll in a clinical trial if she lives in Hope?

Two well-educated women in their 50s come into the public library

ClinicalTrials.gov

Health Canada Trials Database

Also: National Cancer

Institute file on clinical trials

I can tell the patron and her friend are going through a difficult time

I try to be reassuring; friend is willing to travel to participate in trails; see ClinicalTrials.gov first

Try Health Canada too http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/databasdonclin/index-eng.php

Terminology is scientific but simple synonyms for “stage IV” are used (“metastatic”)

I help patron do searches and find Vancouver trials recruiting participants

See cancer.gov from the National Cancer Institute. User-friendly search options provide links of information about types of cancer and statistics

21

How do I find information on

An anxious gentlemen in his mid-

MedlinePlus FDA, Mayo

Patron expresses fear about “lasers in his eyes”

ASSIGNMENT #3 (composite example) LIBR534 Health information sources & services (type of submission that got A+ or 20/20)

LASIK surgery? What is it exactly? Is it safe? I don’t mind testimonials but a range of ‘evidence’ would be nice?

50s, but conversation suggests he is literate (need to be mindful of potential literacy issues)

ClinicAlso:

Question needs Canadian angle as Lasik is a Canadian company http://www.lasikmd.com/

I try to be reassuring without overwhelming him with information suggesting MedlinePlus; overview of LASIK will provide links to basic information to detailed, evidence-based research

Links can be found to authoritative sources such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Mayo Clinic.

22

What is the Abbott method? I’m a rehab consultant but don’t have a clue about this physician “method” which I’m told dates back to the 19th century.

Well-informed rehabilitation consultant (allied health professional)

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health

WhoNamedIt.com

Also: MedlinePlus

Consultant is an allied health professional who works with insurers to support patient recovery and safe return to work

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health includes drawings and is geared to allied health professionals, among others

Patron deals with insurance claims so detailed and authoritative information is vital.

My own search of several references indicates there is little about the Abbott Method (a treatment method for Scoliosis), so I suggest general searches on MedlinePlus

Find links to condition-specific websites sites such as the Scoliosis Research Society and the NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases