More on the Web as a source of health information

A couple of days ago I posted a message on Websites offering health information directly to individuals. I will complement that with this posting.

CBS Evening news on Tuesday did a program segment titled "Surf The Web And Save On Prescriptions. The transcript is on the web. The story emphasized the utility of Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs. The Consumer Reports website provides comparative price information on pharmaceuticals. Many physicians prescribed drugs are costly, proprietary brand products for which there are less costly generics, or even over the counter products that are equally effective. An informed patient can discuss prescriptions with the physician and sometimes (often) agree on an alternative, less costly product. Indeed, sometimes the search will even lead to a drug that is both less costly and more efficacious for the patient.

Lab Tests Online provides the user with information on the interpretation of laboratory tests. My physician prints out a record of lab results for me, and explains their meaning. But it is nice to have a place to go for a refresher when I forget what I have been told. Indeed, my HMO posts the results on a website that I can access, so that I can see the history of the test results, and can review them before appointments with my physician. The online information helps in understanding the purpose of the tests, and in preparing to use the physician visits effectively.

Here is a site from Business Week Online offering information to the consumer (especially the organizational consumer) on health insurance.

Again, these websites are all focused on the U.S. market and U.S. consumers. They will have some value for people in developing nations, but would it not be wonderful if comparable content designed specifically to meet the needs of the increasingly connected people in developing nations were more available. Some organization should take on the task of providing technical assistance to those in developing nations willing to create and maintain such content online.