by Gail Kouame

Several weeks ago I posted a story about my experiences with the surgery videos on MedlinePlus.gov, the National Library of Medicine’s consumer health portal site. One of my co-workers asked me at that point, “You’re going to write an ‘after’ story, aren’t you?” To which I said, “Sure!” So, here it is… (more…)

by Gail Kouame

About a year ago, I learned that I have uterine fiboids, benign growths that are quite common in women my age. A year later, however, they have grown and are starting to cause me some problems. My physician referred me to a gynecologist who, after examining me, determined that I am a good candidate for a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, a minimally invasive alternative to a total abdominal hysterectomy. My gynecologist explained some other options and also described the procedure and we agreed that this was my best option.

So, what’s a gal to do upon receiving news like this? Of course, I went straight to my computer and navigated to MedlinePlus.gov, NLM’s consumer health information portal. I went to the “Health Topics” page, clicked on the letter “H” for Hysterectomy and found that there was a link to a video of the exact procedure that I will be having! (more…)

By Dolores Judkins, Oregon Health & Science University

The OHSU Library has received the official announcement from the National Library of Medicine that Oregon has been accepted by to become a MedlinePlus GoLocal site. Todd Hannon, OHSU Reference Librarian, wrote the proposal for an LSTA grant through the Oregon State Library, and we were notified in October that the proposal was funded. We also received additional funding through the National Library of Medicine. We are very excited that Oregon will be one of the GoLocal states.

GoLocal is a feature of MedlinePlus that enables people to find local resources for health care, beyond the general health information that is available in MedlinePlus. To see what this will mean for Oregon, go to MedlinePlus, look up a condition or disease, and then select a state from the GoLocal link on the right side of the page. If you click on the map at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/golocal/topicmap_32.html you will see that the northwest does not have other GoLocal state projects, although Montana will be going live soon.

We have had wonderful support from the libraries and groups we worked with in writing the grant, and look forward to working with many of you as the project gets underway. We will be hiring a project director, and the position will be posted soon. If you have questions about this project or would like more information about it, please contact Todd Hannon at 503-494-3474 or hannont@ohsu.edu.

In addition to the many librarians on the National Library of Medicine staff, NLM relies heavily on the work of medical librarians associated with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, made up of more than 5,800 member organizations. In recognition of National Medical Librarians Month, October 2007, NLM’s Web site is currently featuring links to some great representative projects recently carried out by network members around the country. (more…)

This is the first in a series of articles about ways that Pacific Northwest regional medical librarians can become more visible (and valued) in their communities by collaboratively promoting themselves and health information resources.

One effort in support of helping network members be more visible partners in their states and local communities is a new brochure, produced by the NN/LM PNR’s Regional Medical Library (RML), featuring an insert including the names of local regional medical librarians.

The new brochure’s insert, specific to a state, will list the medical librarians who have simply expressed a willingness to advise community-based organizations (for example, public libraries, K-12 schools, social service agencies, faith communities, small businesses) on health information-related concerns. Examples of services regional medical librarians might provide to community-based organizations (CBOs): (more…)

Health Literacy Month, celebrated each October, is a time when health literacy advocates around the world promote the importance of understandable health information. Started by Helen Osborne in 1999, this month is a time for all health literacy advocates to let the world know why health literacy matters. There is no right or wrong way to participate. (more…)