Healthguides launched by the Map of Medicine and NHS Choices

UK | 18 June 07

We are are proud to announce the launch of the new Healthguides website - providing patients with access to 20 pathways from the Map of Medicine.

The guidelines, references and clinical information relevant to consideration of alternative treatment options, together with the ability of the Map to be customised to contain local or personal notes was also important.

Patients can access reliable clinical information and improve their understanding of medical problems, clinical tests used in diagnosis and treatment options on the following:

• Psoriasis
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Hepatitis C
• Tuberculosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Acute asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Smoking cessation
• Depression
• Dementia
• Caesarean section
• Term labour
• Emergency contraception
• Female contraception
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Glaucoma
• Osteoarthritis

Independent qualitative research on Healthguides reports the following benefits for GPs and patients:

For GPs:

• save time during consultations
• helps patients prepare for appointments
• empowers patients with knowledge of treatment options and clinical tests
• provides confidence by giving information through a credible NHS resource rather than a non-validated source

Patients particularly:

• appreciated the ‘medical/NHS’ feel to the Map of Medicine Healthguides website
• felt the language and detail was good and would help them to talk about the problem
• felt the information would help them prepare for an appointment
• said they would consider printing pages from the site when they were searching the web for health information and then show them to a doctor
• would consider this site when searching the web for health information as it is produced in partnership with NHS Choices

Please contact marketing@mapofmedicine.com