Do you have a diagnosed illness for which you'd like current medical information?  Or are you curious about a medical topic?  ASK US!

The Berwyn Public Library's Reference Department has a service called "ASK US! Your Medical Questions."  Give us a call at (708) 795-8000 ext 3087, email reference@berwynlibrary.org [2], or visit our service desk to fill out the information request form.

Once we receive your form, our staff will compile a packet of information from trusted medical sources, and then contact you when your information packet is complete (usually within 24 hours). 

Please note:  This service is for informational purposes only; we cannot diagnose medical conditions, offer opinions or give advice.

These links could get you started on your own research:

• Health topics   http://health.nih.gov [3]
• Medline Plus [4] - for health info
• Drugs.com [5] - contains detailed information about (over 24,000) drugs, side effects and interactions; includs information about over the counter drugs and natural products
• Dr. Weil [6] - A consumer resource site that many health professionals use to stay connected with a growing field of integrative medical philosophy.
• Health on the Net Foundation [7] - Search all medical websites with this engine. HON’s mission is to provide consumers with sound, reliable medical information and expertise.
• Healthfinder [8] - A government website designed for consumers to find information on health topics culled from over 1,600 government and non-profit organizations.
• Mayo Clinic [9] - Search for diseases and conditions offered by more than 3,000 physicians, scientists and researchers from Mayo Clinic.
• NOAH [10] - New York Online Access to Health (NOAH) provides an indexed alphabetical list of conditions or health issues for Consumers. Offered in English and Spanish.
• WebMD [11] - Focuses on articles with insights into drugs, supplements, nutrition, psychological and family care and mental health.
• Talking with your Doctor [12] - MedlinePlus deals specifically with effective ways to communicate with doctors. Advice on patient rights, safety and taking more control of your office visits.
• Talking with your Doctor: A Guide for Older People [13] - The National Institue on Aging provides general information on healthy aging, care giving, medications and tips for seniors on better communications with doctors.
• Health Insurance Resource Center [14] - Provides glossary of common health insurance vocabulary.
• Questions and Answers About Health Insurance: AHRQ [15] - Offers information on different kinds of health plans and answers common questions.
• MedlinePlus Health Topic: Check-up Checklist [16] - Gives consumers information on putting together things to do before your next check-up.
• Screenings: Healthfinder [17] - Contains articles on medical tests that check for diseases, with information on what screenings are covered by Medicare.
• 20 Tips to Prevent Medical Errors [18] - Offers consumers tips on medicine and hospital stays.
• American Medical Association Doctor Finder [19] - With over 814,000 doctors listed, assists consumers in finding the perfect match for their medical needs.
• American Hospital Directory [20] - Provides data for over 6,000 hospitals including Medicare claims data and hospital costs reports.
• 20/20 Lifestyles [21] - Offers advice on the treatment of obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression.
• ActivePHR [22] - Helps consumers organize family medical information, prescriptions, test results, immunizations and family medical histories.
• Heart360 Cardiovascular Wellness Center [23] - Helps consumers to manage blood pressure, blood cholesterol, weight, nutrition and physical activity, while receiving information specific to their condition.
• CardioSmart [24] - Provides consumers and their physicians with a way to work together in managing their hypertension, following the American College of Cardiology guidelines.
• Dental Optimizer [25] - Understand how to prevent dental disease, what treatments are most effective and what their care might cost.