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Broad Summaries: Online Textbooks

Online textbooks are generally the most efficient place doctors go to first to get a general overview of a health topic with which they are unfamiliar. They provide a helpful overview of the disease or condition, including information on diagnosis and therapy. Online textbooks have a distinct advantage over most paper textbooks because they are frequently updated with new information.

With the exception of EMedicine and the Patient Portal of UpToDate, the online textbooks referenced require a subscription. However most enable you to register for a free demo. We’ve also included these paid-for sites here for the convenience of healthcare providers who may have access to these resources.

We’ve separated these resources by their focus on Conventional Medicine (i.e., Western Medicine) and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (including Eastern Medicine and other modalities).

Conventional Medicine focus

• EMedicine: Free for patients and providers
  A comprehensive and relatively easy-to-read textbook aimed at healthcare professionals. Many of the chapters have links to “Consumer Health” for free patient information. Register to gain free access.

• UpToDate: Free for patients;   for providers
  A highly regarded textbook widely used by healthcare providers and updated every 4 months. It has a link to free patient information. If you want to read what your doctor is reading you can pay a fee of $20 for one week or $45 for a one month subscription for access to the professional resource.

• Dynamed:   for providers
  Another highly regarded online textbook used by healthcare providers. The text is assembled using a structured evidence-based medicine process and is regularly updated. You can register for a free trial.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine focus

• Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database:   for providers and patients
  This is a highly regarded evidence-based resource that provides comprehensive summaries on products and conditions. It also enables you to check for possible drug interactions. Professional and Consumer versions of the database are available. Subscriptions begin at $10 per month.

• Natural Standard Database: Requires institutional subscription.
  Another highly regarded resource providing evidence-based information about complementary and alternative therapies. If you are healthcare provider, check to see if you have full access through your institution. Unfortunately, it does not offer individual subscriptions. However, free information for patients on Herbs and Supplements is available through the “Drugs & Supplements” section of Medline Plus

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SuperSmartHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please see our Terms of Use for more information. Page Updated: Oct 21, 2008