title: Networking consumer health information: bringing the patient into the medical information loop.
abstract: The Library of the Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago obtained a grant from the Illinois State Library to implement a statewide demonstration project that would provide consumer health information (CHI) using InfoTrac's Health Reference Center CD-ROM database. The goals of the project were to cooperate with targeted public libraries and clinics in providing CHI at the earliest point of need; to provide access to the database via a dial-up network server and a toll-free telephone number; and to work with targeted sites on database training, core CHI reference sources, and referral procedures. This paper provides background information about the project; describes the major systems and technical issues encountered; and discusses the outcomes, impact, and envisioned enhancements.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Librarian at Rockford, USA.
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lanier
mesh_terms: D016251:CD-ROM; D002641:Chicago; D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003199:Computer Systems; D003657:Decision Making; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007990:Libraries; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D012984:Software