Search specialty societies
web sites for the latest information (e.g. American Back
Society, American Pain Society). Most of the societies have general
medical information written for the common patient. For example the
web site of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons may be searched
for information on a herniated disc. Furthermore an interested patient
may be able to access the latest concepts being discussed at the North
American Spine Society meeting that just occurred in Philadelphia.
Results and findings of disc replacement were just discussed.
Search select specialty journals (e.g. Journal of
the American Medical Association, or Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery).
Selected journals are available at the click of a button. The entire
articles may require a payment to see. However, abstracts, that tell
the story in one paragraph are usually available for free.
Search Pubmed for the comprehensive articles in National
Library of Medicine. Pubmed is the first source for the world’s
authoritative information. It is usually the case where articles listed
in an abstract format are scrutinized with scientific rigor and standards.
Furthermore, this information is available with digital interactivity.
If aunt Clara is about to undergo a total hip replacement, then an
article could be cut, pasted and emailed to her on the subject.
A site is also listed for the latest FDA information
on medications. Besides the search engine, a rather comprehensive
listing of spine companies is found on this site. For example
if a patient is about to undergo minimally invasive spine surgery
then they may log on to www.sofamordanek.com
and find even more illustrations, explanations and stories. A patient
about to have kyphoplasty, may similarly log on to the company website
www.kyphon.com. |
