Online diagnosis tool increases access to healthcare

Transcription

August
20102010
August
Vol. 16Vol.
No.17No.
8 11
FEATURES
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social health in infants,
children, adolescents,
and young adults.
Online diagnosis tool
increases access to
healthcare
by Cynthia Johnson
If you’ve had a sinus or bladder infection in
the past, then you can probably identify the
symptoms of a repeat infection without much
difficulty. What you can’t always do is take additional time off from work to travel to a healthcare provider and pay for medical care each time
these infections occur.
In response to this rising need from patients
who have relatively minor health complaints, one
Minnesota health system is offering up a hightech solution. In May, Minneapolis-based Park
Nicollet Hospital Health Services (www.parknicollet.
com) began using technology by Minnesota-based
startup Zipnosis, Inc. (http://zipnosis.com) to provide
online and mobile diagnoses to meet the basic
health needs of patients living in the state.
“This is a way of offering care to the patient
safely and at a lower cost,” says Jon Bylander,
MD, FAAFP, an urgent care specialist at Park
Nicollet Clinic. It also unclogs the system and
increases access for those patients who really need
to be seen and examined, Bylander adds.
Getting a Zipnosis diagnosis
A HealthLeaders
Media publication
Patients using Zipnosis can pay by debit or
credit card. They do not need to have insurance to
access the tool.
Bylander points out that when retail clinics
moved away from this cash-only model and
began accepting insurance, they created a “whole
new level of complexity” that Zipnosis, through its
simplicity, intentionally avoids.
After agreeing to pay for the service, a patient
is asked to answer questions regarding his or her
symptoms—think of it as digital triage. The tool
converts the reported symptoms into a digital clinical note that it sends to a Park Nicollet clinician,
who will provide the medical service to the patient.
Using Zipnosis, the clinician responds to the
patient with a diagnosis and treatment recommendation, if appropriate. The clinician may also
prescribe medication to the patient at this point.
Zipnosis sends a text message or e-mail to notify
the patient that the clinician has responded.
“We think there’s a better way to deliver real
basic healthcare, and we think we can do that
using ubiquitous technology,” says Zipnosis
continued on p. 2
A HealthLeaders Media publication
continued from p. 1
CEO and cofounder Jon Pearce. “We’ve got a technology that plays on a lot of different devices, so I see growth
there.”
The company’s goal is to provide the service to patients
using technology they already have; therefore, patients can
access the device through their computer’s Web browser, a
smartphone, or an Apple® iPad™. Although the majority of
users access Zipnosis through a Web browser, Pearce notes
that the iPad is quickly becoming a popular device, especially
within the past month.
Pearce describes three possible outcomes when using
Zipnosis: A patient can receive medical advice for home
treatment, instructions to visit a Park Nicollet clinic for
further examination, or a diagnosis and prescription to treat
symptoms. If the clinician needs to see a patient for further
examination, the patient can make an appointment with Park
Nicollet and he or she will be refunded the $25 service fee.
“It’s integrated to fit your life,” Pearce says. “You don’t
have to stop everything and get treated.”
Park Nicollet reimburses Zipnosis based on a percentage
of the service fee. Zipnosis does not charge hospitals any upfront costs for using the tool. This allows healthcare systems
such as Park Nicollet to deploy the solution soon after they
sign a contract.
Editorial Board
Group Publisher: Matt Cann
Senior Editor: Carrie Vaughan
[email protected]
Editor: Cynthia Johnson
Expanding the boundaries of healthcare in the
North Star state
Park Nicollet is using Zipnosis to broaden its boundaries of
care by providing new and current patients with better access.
The tool attracts patients because it allows them to avoid visits
to places such as emergency rooms and retail clinics.
“This helps provide healthcare to people who don’t have
access to it because they live in a rural area, are incapacitated
due to disability, or can’t take time off from work,” says
Bylander.
Pearce believes the technology solves a national issue, namely
the inability to access care. “Most of Minnesota is rural, although we do have a couple of nucleuses of urban areas here,”
he says. “Getting those people access to care is very difficult.”
MICHAEL J. ACKERMAN, PhD
National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD
DOUGLAS E. GOLDSTEIN
President
JOHN S. LUO
Assistant Professor
ACE ALLEN, MD
CEO
Medical Alliance, Inc., EHealthcare.net,
Alexandria, VA
University of California, Los Angeles
Today Communications, Inc., Shawnee Mission, KS
THADDEUS GRIMES-GRUCZKA
Independent Pharmaceutical and e-Health
Strategist
NAOMI BROERING
Library Director
President
American Association for Technology in
Psychiatry
New York, NY
DALE O’BRIEN, MD, MPH
Medical Director
JANE A. JACOBS
Managing Editor
Lorenzen Cancer Foundation,
Pacific Grove, CA
AHA Resource Center, American Hospital
Association, Chicago, IL
Mayoclinic.org, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, MN
AHMAD RISK
eHealth and Health Informatics Consultant
WILLIAM M. DETMER, MD, MSc
President & CEO
DONNA L. KURKUL, MLS
Information Specialist, Author, and Consultant
W.C. Herrick Community Health Care Library,
La Mesa, CA
DIANA CULBERTSON
Unbound Medicine
Hadley, MA
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
MARK LEAVITT, MD, PhD
Chair
ROSALIND F. DUDDEN, MLS, DM/AHIP, FMLA
MedicaLogic, Hillsboro, OR
Gerald Tucker Memorial Medical Library,
National Jewish Medical and Research Center,
Denver, CO
Brighton, England
HAMID SAMI, MD, MSc
University of Oklahoma Health Science
Center, Oklahoma City, OK
DENISE SILBER
Basil Strategies, Paris, France
KATHERINE STEMMER FRUMENTO
Director of Library Services
Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT
Medicine on the Net® (ISSN: 1085-3502 [print]; 1937-7606 [online]) is published monthly by HCPro, Inc., 200 Hoods Lane, Marblehead, MA 01945. Subscription rate: $229/year; back issues are available at $25 each. • Copyright © 2010 HCPro, Inc. All rights
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Medicine on the Net®
August 2010
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
Lowering medical costs
Narrowing scope to expand safety
Zipnosis provides patients with a low-cost solution to
minor health problems. For people who are uninsured or
underinsured, access to care can be prohibitive, especially for
basic health issues.
Pearce says patients typically delay care until they decide to visit an emergency room or urgent care center,
at which point they may pay close to $250 to receive a
diagnosis.
“This is a way of lowering that barrier,” he says. “For
these real basic things, you don’t have to shell out a lot of
money. You can go online and get a diagnosis.”
Pearce argues that the $25 fee is comparable to an insurance copayment for an in-person appointment. Further, if a
patient needs to make an appointment after using Zipnosis,
the patient will know something more may be going on
behind his or her symptoms and find it easier to justify
the cost.
“You know you need to take time off of work and make
that commitment,” Pearce says.
According to Bylander, the timing of Zipnosis couldn’t
be better. It’s difficult for patients to take time off from
work in the current economy since a growing number of
companies are doing more with fewer staff, he says. When
patients use Zipnosis, the hospital guarantees a response
to their symptoms within an hour—sometimes it’s even
quicker.
“This is a low-cost way to target a demographic that
doesn’t have time or want to spend a lot of money to come
in for simple conditions,” Bylander says.
Bylander is quick to point out that the service is only appropriate for treating minor health conditions, adding that its
scope has to be narrow in order to be safe. He likens the
service to antiquated nursing triage guidelines.
In the past, Bylander says that nursing staff would become
overwhelmed by patient phone calls, which resulted in “no
real conversation and a lot of frustration.” Clinicians, in
turn, had charts piling up, which impaired their ability to
provide care to patients who were coming in for appointments. The digital triage platform within the Zipnosis technology provides Park Nicollet with a solution that enables it
to focus on patients who visit the facilities for more in-depth
medical care.
“This is for the simplest of the simple conditions, and
it needs to stay that way,” Bylander says. “The traditional
model is to bring the person into the clinic, and that will
never go away. It doesn’t replace good-quality care or
examination.”
According to Pearce, the tool is currently limited to
colds, sinus infections, female bladder and yeast infections,
canker sores, smoking cessation, and seasonal allergies—a
list similar in scope to the diagnoses that many retail clinics
treat.
“These are all types of medical diagnoses and treatments
that have clear guidelines behind them and clear risk profiles,” says Pearce. “We can easily weed out the real sick
people quickly.”
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continued from p. 3
In another month, Zipnosis will add acne to the list of
treatable diagnoses. “That will hopefully get the high school
kids engaged,” says Pearce.
Patients and healthcare system embrace new
option for care
Initial patient response to the tool has been strong even
though the Zipnosis-led marketing campaign behind it is
only in its infancy. Current traffic to the site has been primarily by word of mouth.
Pearce says the plan is to continue using word-of-mouth
marketing efforts for the summer and to drive more traffic
to the site when cold and sinus infection season begins. In
the fall, Park Nicollet plans to launch a formal marketing
campaign once it’s certain it can accommodate an increase in
traffic from patients using the tool.
“We’re working through that process and excited to see
who will adopt it,” says Bylander.
Statistics during the past two months show “good adoption” from patients living outside of Park Nicollet’s normal
patient base, says Pearce. Approximately 5,000 patients have
signed up to use the service since it launched in May. In that
time, 600–700 people have used Zipnosis.
Zipnosis users generally fit into two audiences: healthy,
tech-savvy patients aged 18–26 and experienced adults aged
45–55 who are familiar with the telltale signs of a nagging
health problem. “A lot of women get bladder infections,”
says Pearce. “They just love Zipnosis.”
Bylander says once the tool was explained to the staff at
Park Nicollet, they understood the goals behind offering
Zipnosis as a layer of care.
“It’s a really compelling business case,” he says. “This is a really nice way to put some additional revenue back in the practice
for the providers. It gives you credibility in the area, too.”
Pearce points out that one of the failings of retail clinics
was that they set up their own network of providers, a move
that had benefits and drawbacks. On the one hand, it facilitated clinic staffing; on the other, it alienated local physicians
trying to provide care to patients in the area.
Patients are looking for more convenient ways to access
healthcare and technology is providing solutions.
“Technology is moving forward, and if you don’t try to
work with it, then you’re going to end up less competitive in
the marketplace and you’re going to end up not being there
for the patient,” says Bylander.
Post-pilot plans
During the one-year pilot, Park Nicollet will examine site
statistics and determine how to integrate Zipnosis into its current model of patient care. “It will be one of several layers of
tools,” predicts Bylander. “These tools will not be limited by
proximity to Park Nicollet buildings, but by a patient’s access
to the Internet.”
Zipnosis doesn’t currently integrate with a patient’s Park
Nicollet medical record, but patients can access their Zipnosis
history in PDF format. Bylander says Park Nicollet would like
to add the Zipnosis records to its electronic medical record
(EMR) system. By doing so, these patients will have a medical record when they access Zipnosis in the future, which will
improve patient safety.
According to Pearce, adding a link to the Park Nicollet
EMR is a “huge cost burden” at this point. “To provide a
profitable $25 visit, you’ve got to make some choices.”
Zipnosis plans to launch its product in a few other states
this year. In the future, the tool will route patients accessing
Zipnosis to the right clinical network for their state. “This
works well in Minnesota, and it will work well in just about
any other state,” says Pearce. H
Editor’s note: To learn more about Zipnosis, you can view a local news
station’s report on the service at http://wcco.com/video/?id=78592.
4
August 2010
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
New
on the’net
Compass Intelligence indicates the
direction of growth in healthcare
The healthcare IT market will experience continuous growth over the next
five years, according to marketing and
consulting firm Compass Intelligence.
An InfoTech Spotlight article reports that
healthcare organizations, including hospitals, private practices, and clinics, are
estimated to spend $73.1 billion this
year on IT products, whereas services
and solutions expenditures are expected
to climb to $85 billion by 2014.
The increased healthcare IT spending is triggered by the government’s
desire to get organizations to adopt
electronic health records.
New tools to help heart patients
A new wave of smart implantable devices is transforming the care of people
with heart disease and creating a bonanza
for researchers. According to a New York
Times article, the hope is that the devices,
now being tested in clinical trials, will
save lives, reduce medical expenses, and
nudge heart patients toward managing
their symptoms much the way people
with diabetes manage theirs.
The devices communicate directly
with a patient’s doctor, sending signals
about its functions and setting off alarms
if things go wrong. Patients with the
device have a small box attached to a
phone jack in their home that transmits
information directly to their doctor. If
there are problems, the device sends the
physician an immediate alert.
Public still uninformed about
electronic medical records
A Harris Interactive/HealthDay
poll of more than 2,000 adults finds
that the vast majority are not using
electronic tools to communicate with
their doctors. According to an article
in The Wall Street Journal, only 7% reported using an electronic medical
record (EMR) “to capture medical
information,” 9% said they use e-mail
to communicate with a doctor, and
8% schedule medical appointments
online. In addition, 42% do not know
whether their primary care doctor uses
EMRs for visits or treatments.
Safety features planned for
radiation machines
Manufacturers of radiation therapy
equipment said at a patient-safety
conference that within the next two
years, their new equipment and the
software that runs it would include
Automated calls increase colon cancer screenings
At least 30% more people were encouraged to get
screenings for colon cancer following automated
phone reminders, according to a Kaiser Permanente
Center for Health Research study funded by the
National Cancer Institute.
The study, which is the first to examine whether automated calls can increase
screenings for colon cancer, involved nearly 6,000 Kaiser Permanente members
in Oregon and Washington who were overdue for screenings, according to a
HealthLeaders Media article.
Half of the group received automated calls stressing the importance of
screenings and offering them free at-home test kits. If they failed to respond
to that first call, a follow-up call—and a second follow-up call, if necessary—
would be placed during six-week intervals.
Within six months, 22.5% of individuals who received reminder calls ordered and completed a stool card test, compared with only 16% of those who
did not receive reminder calls.
The automated calls, recorded in English and Spanish, are about one minute
long and cost less than $1 per call on average.
After reviewing the results of the study, conducted in 2008, Kaiser Permanente
in Oregon and Washington decided to use the automated phone calls to remind
all of its members who are overdue for colon cancer screening.
Results of the study appear in the July Medical Care.
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
New on the ’net
fail-safe features to help reduce harmful
radiation overdoses and other mistakes,
according to a New York Times article.
Two associations representing the
biggest manufacturers of radiotherapy
equipment said their equipment would
shut down if it did not detect that the
treatment plan had been checked, that
beam-modifying devices were correctly
placed, and that the patient was properly positioned.
HHS proposes tighter HIPAA
Privacy Rule
The U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) released
a proposed rule to modify the HIPAA
Privacy, Security, and Enforcement
Rules, extending HIPAA compliance
requirements to subcontractors of
businesses associates and strengthening
patient rights to health information
Some doctors join Facebook and Twitter, while others are wary of social media
Some physician offices use
social networking sites such
as Facebook and TwitterTM to
post news about their practice
and the medical world at large.
According to a USA Today article, many others are wary of
the social media tools because
of privacy and legal concerns.
They are also not reimbursed for using the technology, so there is little financial incentive.
Examples of physicians who use twitter include www.twitter.com/kevinmd and
www.twitter.com/macobgynTwitter.
privacy. According to a HealthLeaders
Media article, the proposed modifications include:
»» A requirement that business associates of HIPAA-covered entities be
under most of the same rules as the
covered entities
»» Prohibition of the sale of protected
health information without an
authorization
Bisognano to succeed Berwick as IHI CEO
With the appointment of Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
president and CEO Don Berwick, MD, as administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Cambridge-based nonprofit has named its
executive vice president and chief operating officer Maureen Bisognano as its
new head.
Bisognano has been a frequent speaker at major conferences on quality
improvement since joining IHI in 1995, according to a HealthLeaders Media
article. She has also travelled globally to work with healthcare leaders. Before
joining IHI, she was senior vice president of The Juran Institute, where she consulted with senior management on the
implementation of total quality management in healthcare settings. Before that, she served as CEO of the Massachusetts
Respiratory Hospital in Braintree, where she participated in the National Demonstration Project, the precursor to IHI.
“Maureen Bisognano is the ideal successor to Don Berwick, who has led IHI with such extraordinary insight, vision,
and drive since its founding in 1991,” IHI board chair A. Blanton Godfrey said in a statement. “Maureen has been
Don’s chief partner in IHI’s management and evolution since she joined IHI in 1995. She is a prominent authority on
improving healthcare systems and is well known and widely respected throughout the global healthcare improvement
community.”
6
August 2010
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
New on the ’net
»» New limitations on the use and
disclosure of protected health information for marketing and fundraising purposes
»» Expansion of individuals’ rights
to access their information and to
restrict certain types of disclosures
of protected health information to
health plans
HHS grants $390 million for
preparedness planning
For the month of July, healthcare
organizations will receive grants from
the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) totaling
$390 million to strengthen their medical surge capability. According to a
HealthLeaders Media article, HHS’
Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Preparedness and Response will issue
Weinberger named CEO of ACP
Steven E. Weinberger,
MD, has been promoted
to executive vice president
and CEO of the American
College of Physicians
(ACP), effective July 19.
He will administer ACP’s
activities in medical education and publishing,
membership services, business development, and public policy. He succeeds
John Tooker, MD, who announced his intention to step down last October.
Tooker will serve as ACP’s associate executive vice president for one year to
help the leadership transition.
the 2010 funds through the Hospital
Preparedness Program. The grants
are intended to bolster the ability of
hospitals and healthcare facilities to
New proton beam cancer center could be the nation’s ninth
Scripps Health and
Scripps Clinic Medical
Group are allowing their
name and their doctors to
help build a $185 million
proton beam center for
cancer therapy. According
to a HealthLeaders Media
article, the for-profit venture in San Diego could be the ninth accelerator in the nation and the second
in the western United States when it opens in 2013.
The center will be financed and owned by Advanced Particle Therapy,
LLC, of Minden, NV, but will be managed by Scripps Clinic physicians.
Construction has begun on the 102,000-square-foot center about five miles
east of the Scripps campus. When complete, it will have the capacity to treat
2,400 patients per year for cancers of the prostate, pancreas, lung, head and
neck, breast, colon, eye, and digestive system.
respond to public health emergencies
such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or acts of terrorism.
CPOE systems miss one in three
potentially fatal medication orders
Computerized physician order entry
(CPOE) systems can potentially miss
half of routine medication orders and
one-third of potentially fatal medication orders, according to a report by
The Leapfrog Group. The report is
based on a study of 214 hospitals that
tested their CPOE systems using a
Web-based simulation tool between
June 2008 and January 2010, reports
HealthLeaders Media.
The simulation tool was used to
see how often CPOE systems caught
common medication errors. Adult
hospitals involved in the study received
10 sample patients and 50 medication
orders, and pediatric facilities received
10 sample patients and 51 medication
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
New on the ’net
orders. Most hospitals that adjusted
their protocols after using the tool
improved their performance.
As a result of the report, The Leapfrog Group is calling on the federal
government to ensure that the definition of “meaningful use” requires
CPOE systems to be monitored on
a regular basis. Meaningful use refers
to a set of requirements that hospitals
and physicians must meet to receive
the incentive payments outlined in the
Health Information Technology for
Economic and Clinical Health Act
of 2009.
OIG: Medicare paid $1.2 billion
for drugs with invalid prescriber
numbers
Medicare drug plans and beneficiaries paid pharmacies $1.2 billion
in 2007 for more than 18 million
Clinical studies fueled by EMR data
At Montefiore Medical Center
in Bronx, NY, researchers are harnessing the power of more than a
decade’s worth of electronic medical
record (EMR) data using a software
program called Clinical Looking
Glass (CLG). According to a HealthLeaders Media article, the academic
medical center developed CLG, which interprets and uses de-identified patient
data to gauge the effectiveness of patient safety measures, identify and track
public health threats, and provide data for professional articles and public
studies.
Researchers, physicians, and other clinicians run as many as 2,800 queries
every month using the software. Examples include using the program to measure the impact of Medicare regulations on rehabilitation patients, quantify
the reduction in radiation exposure for emergency department patients, and
track the care and progress of diabetes patients over time.
prescriptions that contained 527,749
invalid prescriber numbers, indicating the agency lacks adequate fraud
FDA urged to issue identifier system for medical devices
The Advancing Patient Safety
Coalition, whose members include
the American Hospital Association,
the American Nurses Association,
Premier, and VHA, urged the FDA
to issue a proposed rule creating a
unique device identification (UDI)
system that supports national and worldwide needs.
The group said that a UDI system is “critical to patient safety improvement
initiatives, as well as implementing electronic health records and the delivery system reforms included in the recently enacted healthcare reform bill,”
reports HealthLeaders Media. Unlike medications, medical devices cannot be
identified in a “systematic and consistent manner,” the Coalition said, adding
that the efficiencies gained through UDI could save the healthcare system billions of dollars, “which providers could reinvest in initiatives to improve the
quality and safety of care.”
detection procedures, according to a
“The Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services and Part D plans
do not verify that prescriber identifiers” are valid, the Office of Inspector
General (OIG) said in a report. “Nor
do they apply claims processing edits
to check prescriber identifiers against
known format requirements.”
The identifiers on 17% of the drug
claims with invalid prescriber numbers
did not conform to length or format
specifications, and Medicare drug
plans and enrollees paid pharmacies
$213 million for records with invalid
identifiers.
EHR, operating cost hikes
challenge practice managers
Rising operating costs, managing
finances amid Medicare reimbursement
8
August 2010
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
New on the ’net
shifts, and installing electronic health
records (EHR) are the top three challenges for medical practice managers,
according to Medical Practice Today: What
Members Have to Say, an annual survey
from the Medical Group Management
Association (MGMA).
The online survey of 1,798 people
from February 12 to March 5 also
found that “managing teamwork and
group dynamics among physicians,” an
organizational governance issue that
MGMA introduced to the list this
year, debuted at No. 8, according to a
Imaging groups reject call for
FDA oversight of CT scanners
Direct FDA jurisdiction over how
CT scanners are used—including
radiation dose requirements—would
be a logistical nightmare because of
the numbers and types of scanners
in operation and the variety of imaging services they provide. According
to a HealthLeaders Media article, the
American College of Radiology (ACR)
and the Society of Computed Body
Tomography and Magnetic Resonance
(SCBTMR) said in a joint statement
that concerns surrounding imaging
equipment could be addressed if the
federal government required healthcare
providers that use imaging equipment
to adopt ACR safety standards.
ACR/SCBTMR were responding
to a perspective piece published in the
June 23 New England Journal of Medicine, which suggested that direct FDA
oversight of CT scanners and other
devices that deliver radiation is needed
to control patient exposure brought on
by the overuse of imaging equipment
by inadequately trained medical staff.
CMS to combine quality reporting
programs
Physicians who report quality measures to the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) under the
Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
using electronic health records will soon
be able to combine data with physicians
who demonstrate “meaningful use” of
those records under the Health Information Technology for Economic and
Clinical Health Act of 2009.
The deadline for combining the two
programs is January 1, 2012, under the
new healthcare reform law, according
to a HealthLeaders Media article. H
Outpatient, readmission data added to Hospital Compare site
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) has expanded the
amount of information
available on its Hospital
Compare website to include 11 new outpatient
measures, along with updated information on 30day mortality and readmission rates related to heart failure, heart attack, and
pneumonia.
According to a HealthLeaders Media article, data (as of March) from more
than 4,600 acute care, critical access, and children’s hospitals can be found
on the site; 80% are acute care hospitals that can receive financial incentives
through Medicare’s inpatient prospective payment system.
The site currently receives more than 1 million page views per month, “making it one of our popular resources for consumers,” Marilyn Tavenner, CMS
acting administrator, said at a telebriefing.
The 11 new measures capture elements of care for emergency department
patients, observation patients, and outpatients. They include:
»» Five measures specifying immediate treatments for outpatients with heart
attack symptoms or chest pain
»» Two measures specifying antibiotic use and actions to prevent infection of
surgical wounds on the day of surgery
»» Four measures specifying use of radiology and imaging, including CT scans,
mammograms, and MRI
For more information, visit www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
H EA LT H CA R E G U I D E TO T H E I N T E R N E T
Focus: Pediatrics resources
The ‘net holds an abundance of information on how to
care for children from conception to young adulthood—
even advice on how to get through those troublesome teenage years.
The American Academy of Pediatrics site (www.aap.org) is
the obvious place to begin. The site contains information on
children’s health topics such as autism, car safety seats, obesity, and stress. You’ll also find academy publications, such
as position statements.
Environmentally conscious parents and healthcare providers will want to consult DrGreene.com. The website contains information about childhood development and diseases
as well as insight into making changes to limit exposure to
environmental dangers.
Lastly, KidsHealth.org, part of The Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health Media, contains information about health, behavior, and development. You can
access information specifically written for parents, children,
or teens.
Excellent
****
Very good
***
Good
**
Fair
American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry
www.aacap.org
Ratings: Content: **** Interface: **** Style: ****
OUR SITE-RATING SYSTEM
*****
Several pediatrics resources are described and reviewed in
the following pages, as listed in the index below, using the
five-star system to rate each on content, interface, and style.
*
Adequate
Index: Pediatrics resources
American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
American Academy of Pediatrics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
AskDrSears.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Caring for Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
DrGreene.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
KidsHealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
PediatricSuperSite.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Zero to Three. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is a membership-based organization of child
and adolescent psychiatrists as well as other interested physicians. The organization works to promote an understanding
of mental illnesses and to remove the stigma associated with
them. It also works to advance prevention efforts and help
children and adolescents access proper treatment.
You can navigate this site using the links at the top of the
page. The site also has a list of quick links on the left-hand
side of the page that will display frequently requested content. You can click on links on the site’s home page to access
featured content, such as news articles and links to online
member services.
Key features of this site include:
»» Policy statements
»» Fast facts
»» A glossary of symptoms and mental illnesses
»» Information on children and psychiatric medication
»» Information for medical students, residents, and early
career psychiatrists
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© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
»» Resource centers on mental illnesses and disorders containing definitions, answers to FAQs, interviews, abstracts,
and facts
»» An ADHD guide for families
»» Information on clinical trials
»» Practice information surrounding access to care and the
changing healthcare environment
»» Information regarding educational offerings, including
online continuing medical education
»» Practice parameters
Unique elements: The site contains videos of experts in
child and adolescent psychiatry speaking about topics such
as ADHD, divorce, and autism. You’ll find this feature in
the For Families section.
Comments: The site contains a child and adolescent psychiatrist finder.
Cost: The majority of the content on the site is free, with
certain areas restricted to members only.
RSS XML link: None.
Keywords: infant health, child health, adolescent health, young
adult health, teen health, pediatrics, mental health, American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, AACAP.
You can navigate this site using the left-hand navigation
links. Some of the links have fly-out menus that allow you
to select subtopics. You can also click on links on the site’s
home page to access featured content, such as news articles,
event information, and membership details.
»» AAPD policies and guidelines
»» Access to articles and brochures
»» Information regarding educational opportunities
»» Event information
»» Dental health resources
»» An online store
»» Information regarding the Head Start Dental Home
Initiative
»» News articles related to pediatric dental health and the
organization
Unique elements: The site contains a Parent Resource
Center, which includes FAQs, tips for busy parents, and parent education brochures.
Comments: The site contains a Find a Pediatric Dentist
lookup tool.
Cost: The majority of content on the site is free, with certain areas restricted to members only.
RSS XML link: None.
Keywords: infant health, child health, adolescent health,
young adult health, teen health, pediatrics, oral health,
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, AAPD.
American Academy of Pediatrics
www.aap.org
Ratings: Content: ***** Interface: ***** Style: *****
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
www.aapd.org
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
is a membership organization representing the specialty of
pediatric dentistry. The mission of the organization is “to
advocate policies, guidelines, and programs that promote
optimal oral health and oral healthcare for children.”
Established in 1930, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) is a member organization of pediatricians who focus
on the health, safety, and well-being of infants, children,
adolescents, and young adults.
You can navigate this site using the top-level navigation
links. You’ll also find a set of quick links to children’s health
topics on the left-hand side of the page, including topics
such as ADHD, autism, car safety seats, obesity, and stress.
You can click on links on the site’s home page to access featured content, such as information about healthcare reform,
summer safety tips, and advice on Internet safety.
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
»» Information on countless children’s health topics, which
you can navigate by topic (mental health, family health,
and community health) or by age
»» Information about AAP publications, such as AAP
Grand Rounds
»» Educational opportunities
»» Information about the AAP’s priorities on health reform
and other advocacy issues
»» An online member center containing a wealth of resources
»» Research information
»» Policy statements
»» Quality improvement information
Unique elements: The site provides information about
AAP campaigns, such as Back to Sleep, Bright Futures, and
AntiDrug Campaign.
Comments: The site contains an online bookstore that
houses books, CD-ROMs, and PDA software.
Cost: The majority of content on the site is free, with certain areas restricted to members only.
RSS XML link: Visit http://aapnews.aappublications.org/rss/
for a complete list of feeds.
young adult health, teen health, pediatrics, American
Academy of Pediatrics, AAP.
Together, they have published more than 40 books on pediatrics and parenting. They established this website to share
their pediatric knowledge with healthcare professionals and
the public.
links. Some of the links expand to reveal additional menu
options when you click them. You’ll also find a set of
main topics regarding pediatric information at the top
of the site, including breast-feeding, medicine cabinets,
vaccines, and attachment parenting. You can click on links
on the site’s home page to access featured content, such
as articles, news briefs, and answers to Ask the Expert
questions.
»» A Books link that takes you to an online store containing
products by and/or approved by Dr. Sears.
»» Answers to FAQs on topics such as sleep, childhood illness, and fussy babies. This section also includes a question of the week.
»» Links to additional resources.
»» Link to a Facebook page called Ask Dr. Sears.
»» Event information.
»» An A–Z index of topics on the site.
»» A complete A–Z list of medications used for children.
Unique elements: The best way to access information on
the site is to use the search feature if you don’t see your topic
listed in the main topics section. You’ll find information on
everything from autism to yellow skin.
Comments: The site offers a free e-newsletter. Click on
the Newsletter link at the top of the page to sign up.
Cost: Free.
AskDrSears.com
www.askdrsears.com
AskDrSears.com is a website by renowned pediatricians
William Sears, MD, and his wife, Martha Sears, RN.
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© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
RSS XML link: None.
young adult health, teen health, pediatrics, AskDrSears.com.
»» Links to additional content
»» A Find a Doctor lookup tool
»» An online bookstore
Caring for Kids
Unique elements: The site contains specific information
regarding teen health.
Comments: The site has a Facebook and TwitterTM (www.
twitter.com/caringforkids) social networking presence. It contains
information in English and French.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
young adult health, teen health, pediatrics, Canadian
Paediatric Society, CPS, Caring for Kids.
www.caringforkids.cps.ca
Ratings: Content: ***** Interface: **** Style: ****
Caring for Kids is a site that provides parents with information about their child’s health and well-being. The
Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) developed the site. Most
of the information on the site is based on CPS position
statements.
DrGreene.com
www.drgreene.com
links. You can also click on links on the site’s home page
to access the site’s featured content, such as news articles,
tips, and information based on ages and stages of children’s
growth.
»» Information regarding pregnancy and babies, such as
nutrition, infant health, growth and development, and
injury prevention
»» Advice regarding vaccines for children and youths
»» Topics of interest to maintaining a healthy body,
including eating, health habits, healthcare, and other
health information
»» Advice on keeping children safe at home, at play, on the
move, and during specific types of weather
»» Advice on fostering growth, development, and literacy in
children
»» What to do when you have a sick child, including topics
such as illnesses, infections, treatments, and procedures
Pediatrician Alan Greene and other medical experts contribute to this site, which provides information about childhood development and diseases as well as insight into making
changes to limit exposure to environmental dangers.
links. The home page contains a Most Popular Content section where you can view a list of frequently requested articles
on topics such as hand-foot-mouth disease. You can also
click on links on the site’s home page to access featured content, such as online forums and blog entries.
»» Information on health topics, accessible by ages and stages
or alphabetically
»» An illustrated encyclopedia
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
»» A pediatrics wiki page
»» An ask the expert feature
»» Scheduled online chats with Dr. Greene
»» Featured “fast facts” on topics such as using houseplants
to increase indoor air quality
»» An archive of conversations with Dr. Greene on various
topics, such as blocking mosquitoes and ticks, brown vs.
white rice, and helping healthy food compete with fast
food
»» Blog entries by featured writers
»» Recipes for healthy living
»» News articles
»» Product reviews for books, food, health and personal
items, home and garden items, housewares, and toys
Unique elements: The site contains an online forum
(registration may be required) where site users can exchange
ideas with one another.
Comments: Users can follow DrGreene.com on Twitter
(http://twitter.com/DrGreene).
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
young adult health, teen health, pediatrics, Dr. Alan Greene,
DrGreene.com.
KidsHealth
www.kidshealth.org
KidsHealth is part of The Nemours Foundation’s Center
for Children’s Health Media. The website contains information about health, behavior, and development from before
birth through the teen years.
When you enter the site, you need to select the audience
that best describes yourself: Parents, Kids, or Teens. The
site then displays information tailored for that specific audience. You can navigate this site using the left-hand navigation links. You can also click on links on your section’s
home page to access featured articles, printables, and online
calculators.
This site contains information on the following topics:
»» General health
»» Infections
»» Emotions and behavior
»» Growth and development
»» Nutrition and fitness
»» Recipes
»» Pregnancy and newborns
»» Medical problems
»» First aid and safety
»» Doctors and hospitals
»» Medications
»» Information on how the body works (aimed at kids)
»» A kids’ dictionary of medical words
»» Games and activities to explore health and the
human body
Other resources on this site include answers to FAQs,
recall information, and positive parenting advice.
Unique elements: Users can sign up to receive the free
KidsHealth weekly newsletter, which contains medically
reviewed content.
Comments: The site contains information in Spanish
and English.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
young adult health, teen health, pediatrics, The Nemours
Foundation Center for Children’s Health and Media,
KidsHealth.
National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development
www.nichd.nih.gov
The National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) conducts and supports research
on topics related to the health of children, adults, families,
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© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
young adult health, teen health, pediatrics, National
Institutes of Health, NIH, National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development, NICHD.
PediatricSuperSite.com
www.pediatricsupersite.com
and populations. It is one of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH).
links. Some of the links expand to reveal additional menu
options. You can also click on links on the site’s home page
to access featured content, such as news releases and information about programs.
»» An A–Z list of health and human development topics,
including Asperger’s syndrome, attention deficit disorder,
learning disabilities, mental retardation, and obesity
»» Information about clinical research and trials, including
listings of clinical trials
»» Information about the institute’s health information
campaigns on topics such as the importance of placing
babies on their backs when they sleep and the importance of milk consumption during the childhood and
teenage years
»» Access to NICHD publications and materials
»» Information about research supported or conducted by
the NICHD
»» Funding information for research and training
»» News articles
PediatricSuperSite.com is produced by SLACK Incorporated, publisher of Infectious Diseases in Children and Pediatric
Annals. The mission of the site is “to be the global, definitive
information source for pediatric professionals by delivering
timely, accurate, authoritative, and balanced reports on clinical issues, socioeconomic topics, and industry developments,
as well as presenting clinically relevant information on medical therapies for the benefit of the patient.” The articles on
the site are reviewed by the chief medical editor and executive editor.
links. You can also click on links on the site’s home page
to access featured content, such as news articles, education
opportunities, and event information.
»» Information about vaccine-preventable diseases, such as flu
and hepatitis A
»» Articles on respiratory infections
»» Dermatology-related information
»» Information regarding emerging diseases, such as West
Nile virus, HIV infections, and MRSA
»» Allergy, asthma, and immunology content
»» Information regarding gastrointestinal conditions
»» Content related to developmental and behavioral medicine
Unique elements: For each health topic you select, you
will find information listed along the right-hand side of the
displayed content. Examples of this additional information
include links, clinical trials resources, and publications/
materials.
Comments: The information on the site is available in
Spanish and English.
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
»» Information regarding adolescent medicine
»» Practice management advice
»» “What’s Your Diagnosis?” articles that detail
interesting cases
»» “Spot the Rash” articles that describe pediatric cases
involving rashes
»» Case challenges that let users try to unravel the cause of
the patient’s symptoms
»» Firm rounds
»» Highlights from meetings
»» Information regarding recently published journal
articles
»» A pediatric continuing medical education center that
contains information regarding educational offerings
Unique elements: The site features blogs and podcasts on
a variety of pediatric topics and events.
Comments: The site contains a Rotavirus Resource
Center.
Cost: Access is free with registration.
RSS XML link: None.
Keywords: infant health, child health, pediatrics, adolescent health, young adult health, teen health Pediatric
SuperSite.
Zero to Three
www.zerotothree.org
Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization that
informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers,
and parents to help improve the lives of infants and toddlers.
The mission of the organization is to promote the health
and development of infants and toddlers. Zero to Three
is part of the National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and
Families.
You can navigate this site using the top-level navigation links. There is also a Find It Fast drop-down list of
children’s health topics on the right-hand side of the page,
including topics such as brain development, health and
nutrition, and mental health screening and assessment. You
can click on links on the site’s home page to access featured content, such as news articles, featured resources, and
downloads.
»» Behavior and development information, including topics such as challenging behavior, early childhood mental health, health and nutrition, and promoting social
development
»» Free parent brochures and guides
»» A Maltreatment section that contains information on
child abuse and neglect, including content related to the
effect of trauma, since the children most at risk are those
under age 1
»» Early care and education information, including topics
such as child care, early language and literacy, and a school
readiness interactive tool
»» Information on the organization’s involvement in public
policy
»» A free e-newsletter (visitors can sign up to receive it by
entering an e-mail address in the field at the top righthand side of the home page)
Unique elements: The site contains an interactive Baby
Brain Map where users can select an age range and view hot
spots that answer questions about how a baby develops during that period of growth. Click on Baby Brain Map from
the home page to access this tool.
Comments: The site contains downloads of the week.
For example, when we reviewed the site, it contained a
PDF titled “Healthy Minds: Nurturing Your Child’s
Development from 18 to 24 Months.”
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
Keywords: infant health, child health, pediatrics, National
Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families, Zero to Three. H
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© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
H EA LT H CA R E G U I D E TO T H E I N T E R N E T
Focus: Sleep disorder resources
According to the National Center on Sleep Disorders
Research, nearly 70 million Americans suffer from sleep
problems and nearly 60% have a chronic sleep disorder. The
Internet contains many helpful resources to educate patients,
family members, and healthcare professionals.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is the only
professional society dedicated to sleep medicine. Its site
(www.aasmnet.org) contains features such as a blog, education opportunities, patient care standards, and news articles.
You’ll also find a comprehensive list of other sleep disorder
websites on the ‘net.
Patients with narcolepsy and their healthcare providers
will want to consult the Narcolepsy Network site (www.
narcolepsynetwork.org). The national support organization’s site
contains information about the disease, answers to FAQs,
patient stories, and an online community.
The National Sleep Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.
org) is another great site you can rely on for information.
The foundation alerts the public, healthcare providers,
and policy-makers to the importance of adequate sleep. It
also helps those who suffer from sleep problems and disorders. The site contains information on sleep topics and
disorders, an Ask the Expert feature, links to online communities, advice on sleeping smart, and a video and audio
library.
A number of sleep disorder resources are described and
reviewed in the following pages, as listed in the index below,
using the five-star system to rate each on content, interface,
and style.
OUR SITE-RATING SYSTEM
*****
Excellent
****
Very good
***
Good
**
Fair
*
Adequate
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
www.aasmnet.org
Index: Sleep disorder resources
Ratings: Content: **** Interface: *** Style: ****
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
American Sleep Apnea Association. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . 18
Narcolepsy Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
National Center on Sleep Disorders Research. . . . . . . . . . 20
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
National Sleep Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SleepEducation.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Established in 1975, the American Academy of Sleep
Medicine (AASM) is the only professional society dedicated
to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. It works to set
standards and promote excellence in healthcare, education,
and research.
You can navigate this website using the top-level navigation structure. The links expand to reveal additional dropdown menu options. You can also access featured content
on the site’s home page, such as education opportunities,
an online store, and announcements.
»» Information about the academy
»» Volunteer information
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
»» Information about education opportunities
»» Certification content
»» Advice on preparing for the board certification examination in sleep medicine
»» Training opportunities to obtain skills
»» Standards for quality patient care
»» Access to journals containing scientific research in the field
»» A job board for sleep medicine professionals
»» A membership directory
»» Sleep medicine news
»» Information regarding the organization’s government
relations
»» Links to additional resources
»» Information regarding recommended sleep centers
and labs
»» Position statements
Unique elements: The site contains a blog you can access
by clicking Media and then selecting SLEEP Meeting Blog.
Comments: The site contains an online store. To access it,
click the link in the upper right-hand side of the site.
Cost: The majority of the information on the site is free,
with certain areas restricted to members only. To learn more
about membership, click on the About Membership link in
the top-level navigation structure.
RSS XML link: None.
Keywords: sleep disorders, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, American Academy of Sleep
Medicine, AASM.
American Sleep Apnea Association
www.sleepapnea.org
Ratings: Content: **** Interface: **** Style: ***
The American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing injury, disability,
and death from sleep apnea. The organization also works
to improve the health and well-being of patients affected by
this common disorder.
You can navigate this website using the top-level navigation structure. The links open new pages that reveal additional menu options. You can also access featured content
on the site’s home page, such as special notices and an online
directory of products and services.
»» Support group contact information
»» Sleep apnea information for patients, parents, and
practitioners
»» An online sleep apnea forum (registration is required
but free)
»» Recommended books
»» Brochures
»» Research information
Unique elements: The site features an educational video
for patients on the topic of sleep apnea. It explains the diagnosis and treatment options and reassures patients who are
adjusting to treatment.
Comments: The site contains an online directory of sleep
apnea and snoring products and services.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
Keywords: sleep disorders, sleep apnea, American Sleep
Apnea Association, ASAA.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
CDC.gov is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) online communication channel. The site averages 41 million page views per month by providing users with
reliable health information on topics such as diseases and
conditions, emergencies and disasters, environmental health,
travelers’ health, and workplace safety.
18
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© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
You can navigate this website using the A–Z index on the
home page, which is where you’ll find the sleep disorders
information. You can also click on links to other content
on the site using the navigation links on the home page. You
can find more information on sleep disorders in the CDC
Features section as well.
»» Information about how much sleep people need by age
»» Sleep hygiene tips, such as going to bed at the same time,
sleeping in a dark room, making your bed comfortable,
and removing televisions from the bedroom
»» Information regarding the major sleep disorders: insomnia,
narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and sleep apnea
»» Data and statistics
»» Information on the link between sleep disorders and
chronic diseases
Unique elements: The site contains a podcast titled No
Rest for the Weary.
Comments: The information on the site is available in
English and Spanish.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: Visit www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/rss.asp for a
complete list of feeds.
Keywords: sleep disorders, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, CDC.
Narcolepsy Network
www.narcolepsynetwork.org
Narcolepsy Network (NN) is a national patient support
organization founded in 1986. It is a nonprofit organization
that relies on member dues and donations to fund programs. Its efforts include educating, providing support and
resources, advocating for people with narcolepsy, and promoting early diagnosis.
You can navigate this website using the top-level navigation structure. The links expand to reveal additional
drop-down menu options. You can also access selected
content on the site’s home page, such as news and event
information.
»» Information about the disease
»» Answers to FAQs about narcolepsy
»» An Epworth Sleepiness Scale
»» Stories from patients who have the disorder
»» Information regarding treatment options, such as medications, lifestyle adjustments, and alternative therapies
»» How to become involved with the network
»» Clinical trials resources
»» Information on raising sleep awareness
»» Online brochures
»» Educational materials
»» A Find a Sleep Center/Specialist lookup tool
»» News articles
Unique elements: The site contains an online community
where like-minded individuals share their thoughts regarding
narcolepsy. Click on the Online Community link to access
this feature.
Comments: If you would like to receive information
from the network, you can click on the Register for E-mail
Notices link on the site’s home page.
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
Cost: Free. Registration is required to use Online
Community feature.
RSS XML link: www.narcolepsynetwork.org/feed
Keywords: sleep disorders, narcolepsy, Narcolepsy
Network, NN.
Unique elements: The site offers an interactive sleep quiz
aimed at patients and the public.
Comments: The site contains a curriculum supplement
for teachers who are interested in educating students about
the topic.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
Keywords: sleep disorders, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, National Institutes of
Health, NIH, National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, NCSDR.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Ratings: Content: **** Interface: *** Style: ***
National Center on Sleep Disorders Research
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Ratings: Content: **** Interface: *** Style: ****
The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research
(NCSDR), located within the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), was established in 1993 to help combat the growing concern regarding sleep disorders in the United States.
According to the site, nearly 70 million Americans suffer from
sleep problems, with nearly 60% having a chronic disorder.
The center works to improve the health of Americans through
research, training, technology transfer, and coordination.
You can navigate this website using the left-hand navigation structure.
»» Information regarding research, including announcements,
funding information, conferences, and workshops
»» Professional education information, including publications and materials, sleep academic awards, and resources
»» Information regarding sleep in youth
»» Interactive sleep quiz
»» Publications and materials for patients and the public
»» Links to additional organizations and resources
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
provides leadership for a research, training, and education
program to promote the prevention of heart, lung, and blood
diseases. The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research
is part of this organization.
You can navigate this website using the top-level navigation structure. There are additional links along the left-hand
side of the page. You can also access featured content on the
site’s home page, such as information regarding diseases and
conditions, interactive tools, and news. To access the sleep
disorders information on the site, you can enter the term in
the search engine or access the information using the diseases
and conditions index.
Key features of this section include:
»» Information regarding continuous positive airway pressure treatment, including who needs it, what to expect, the
risks, and links to more information
20
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© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
»» Insomnia content, including what it is, who is at risk, signs
and symptoms, how physicians diagnose it, and treatment
options
»» Narcolepsy information, including a definition, thoughts
on its causes, signs and symptoms, who is at risk, how
physicians diagnose it, and treatment options
»» Restless legs syndrome content, including a definition of
the syndrome, its potential causes, who is at risk, associated signs and symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and treatment options
»» Sleep apnea information, including other names for the
disorder, what it is, what causes it, who is at risk, signs and
symptoms experienced by sufferers, how it is diagnosed,
treatment options, and links to more information
»» Descriptions of sleep studies, including the types of studies performed, what they are, who needs to participate,
what to expect, what they show, and risk factors
Unique elements: The section contains a podcast on the
topic of insomnia.
Comments: This section contains information in English
as well as Spanish.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
Health, NIH, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,
NHLBI.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
www.ninds.nih.gov
Ratings: Content: **** Interface: **** Style: ***
The mission of the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is “to reduce the burden of
neurological disease.” The institute is part of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). It conducts and fosters research,
provides grants and fellowships, conducts programs, and collects and disseminates information.
You can navigate this website using the left-hand navigation structure. You can also access featured content on the
site’s home page, such as research funding information and
clinical trial opportunities. The home page is where you will
find an A–Z index of disorders. The sleep disorders information is where you can find Brain Basics: Understanding
Sleep.
»» A description of sleep activity
»» Information regarding how much sleep people need
»» A description of the usefulness of sleep
»» Information about dreaming and REM sleep
»» Content regarding sleep and circadian rhythms
»» Information regarding sleep and disease
»» Advice for getting a good night’s sleep
Unique elements: The site contains separate links to
information regarding four common sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy.
Comments: The site is available in Spanish and English.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_
articles/xml_RSS_news.htm
Health, NIH, National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke, NINDS.
National Sleep Foundation
www.sleepfoundation.org
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) alerts the public,
healthcare providers, and policymakers to the importance of
adequate sleep. The organization works to improve the quality of life for Americans who suffer from sleep problems and
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
disorders. They do so by educating the public so that they
can be properly diagnosed and treated.
You can navigate this website using the top-level navigation structure. The links expand to reveal additional dropdown menu options. You can also access selected content
on the site’s home page, such as featured articles, online
polls, and an ask the expert feature. The home page also
contains a Hot Topics section that contains articles regarding topical issues.
»» Sleep facts and information
»» Recommended sleep books
»» Information regarding sleep topics and disorders
»» An ask the expert feature
»» Advice on sleeping “smart,” which includes an online
sleep report card tool and information regarding the
myths and facts associated with sleep
»» A Find a Sleep Professional lookup tool
»» Links to many online communities that allow users to
share their thoughts with like-minded individuals concerned about sleep and sleep disorders (registration may
be required)
»» An online job board
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: Visit www.sleepfoundation.org/primary-links/
subscriptions to view a complete list of available feeds.
Keywords: sleep disorders, insomnia, restless legs syndrome,
narcolepsy, sleep apnea, National Sleep Foundation, NSF.
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation
www.rls.org
Incorporated in 1992, the Restless Legs Syndrome
Foundation (RLS Foundation) is a nonprofit organization
that provides information regarding restless legs syndrome.
The goals of the foundation are to increase awareness,
improve treatments, and to find a cure for RLS through
research.
You can navigate this website using the top-level navigation structure. The links expand to reveal additional dropdown menu options. You can also access selected content
on the site’s home page, such as meeting information, online
forums, research updates, and more. The home page also
contains a Hot Topics section that contains articles regarding topical issues.
»» Information about the syndrome
»» Advice on finding a healthcare provider
»» Information for first-time visitors to the site
»» Answers to FAQs
»» Resources for clinical trials
»» Information about brain bank tissue donation
»» Support group information
»» Research updates
Unique elements: The site contains a video and audio
library. You’ll find the links to these sections under the Sleep
Facts & Information menu.
Comments: The site is available in four languages: English,
Spanish, Dutch, and French.
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© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
»» Publications and brochures
»» Chat rooms and discussion boards
»» Access to the foundation’s newsletter, NightWalkers
»» An online sleep evaluation
»» Information regarding teens and sleepiness
»» Information regarding sleep studies, such as overnight
Unique elements: The site contains an online community
that allows users to share ideas with like-minded individuals interested in sleep and sleep disorders. Registration is
required but free. To learn more about this feature, click on
the Online Community link on the site’s home page.
Comments: You can find the foundation on Facebook
and LinkedIn®.
Cost: Free. Certain features, such as the online community,
require free registration.
RSS XML link: www.meltwaternews.com/magenta/xml/html/
18/89/rss/104918.rss.XML
Keywords: sleep disorders, restless legs syndrome, Restless
Legs Syndrome Foundation, RLS Foundation.
SleepEducation.com
www.sleepeducation.com
In March 2005, the AASM launched SleepEducation.
com to address the rapidly growing demand for information about sleep. The website is a tool for patients and
members of the public who are looking for information
related to sleep, sleep disorders, treatments, and services.
The goal of the site is to present accurate, scientific information in a concise manner that is easily understood by the
public.
You can navigate this website using the left-hand navigation structure. The links expand to reveal additional fly-out
menu options. You can also access featured content on the
site’s home page, such as news articles, access to information
about disorders and treatments, and quizzes.
»» Online quizzes on topics such as sleep and growing older
»» Information on how sleep disorders specifically affect
men, older adults, children, and women
»» An online sleep diary (PDF) that users can print and use
to document their sleep habits
»» An online sleepiness scale
studies, CPAP studies, home sleep tests, maintenance of
wakefulness tests, and nap studies
»» Content on a wide array of sleep disorders, including
insomnia, bed-wetting, sleep apnea, hypersomnia, and
movement disorders
»» Information on common treatments used for sleep disorders, such as bright light therapy, cognitive behavioral
therapy, continuous positive airway pressure, medications,
melatonin, oral appliances, and surgery
»» Information regarding sleep hygiene (the healthy habits
of good sleep)
»» Case studies
»» A sleep study dictionary
Unique elements: The site features an online forum that
lets users exchange ideas with other like-minded individuals.
It contains a variety of topics. Registration is required but
free. Click on the Forum Activity link on the home page to
access this feature.
Comments: The site contains a Find a Sleep Center lookup tool.
Cost: Free.
RSS XML link: None.
Keywords: sleep disorders, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, American Academy of Sleep
Medicine, AASM, SleepEducation.com. H
© 2010 HCPro, Inc.
SI T E O F T H E M O N T H
HealthyChildren.org
www.healthychildren.org
HealthyChildren.org is a free newly launched parenting
website of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
AAP members comprise 60,000 pediatricians working
to promote physical, mental, and social health and wellbeing in infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
This unique website is both user-friendly and visually appealing. It contains information related to child
health and parenting issues. It also
contains information about AAP
programs and
activities, policies
and guidelines,
publications, and
other resources. Per
the site’s logo, the
information it contains is “Powered
by pediatricians.
Trusted by parents.” If you want to learn more about the
site, you can click on the Our Mission link and view the
site’s promotional video.
You can navigate this site using the top-level navigation links, which expand to reveal additional drop-down
options in large menus. You’ll find a set of quick links
to the most popular articles, books, and news on the site.
You can also click on links on the site’s home page to
access featured content, such as summer safety tips, news
articles, and many others.
»» Content arranged by ages and stages—from prenatal
to young adult (18–21)
»» Nutrition advice to help users make better choices that
promote good health
»» Fitness information, including articles on encouraging
your child to be physically active, finding time to be
active, how to get fit, and making fitness a way of life
»» Content related to sports health based on the concept
that youngsters develop sports skills in a sequence, so
each sequence should be maxed out for that child
»» Oral health content, since a healthy mouth and teeth
are an important part of a child’s wellness
»» Information about emotional wellness in children,
including topics on how to build resilience in children,
a child’s reaction
to death, and
how to avoid
over-scheduling
»» Safety information for children
at home, at play,
on the go, and in
other settings
»» Health management advice,
including topics
such as how to
choose a pediatrician and information regarding a
medical home
»» Information on an abundance of health conditions,
such as ADHD, chronic conditions, developmental
disabilities, obesity, allergies, and asthma
»» Advice on how to deal with injuries and emergencies
when they arise
»» News articles that users can filter by category
»» Online tools including Ask the Expert, a pediatrician lookup tool, growth charts, immunization
schedules, newsletters, safety checklists, and a symptom checker
RSS XML link: Visit http://aapnews.aappublications.org/rss
for a complete list of feeds.
You can also follow HealthyChildren on Twitter
(www.twitter.com/healthychildren). H
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© 2010 HCPro, Inc.

Online diagnosis tool increases access to healthcare

Transcription

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