- Healthcare Consumerism
[find information on healthcare coverage at our Managed Care / Health Insurance section]
American Board of Internal Medicine
Find a board certified physician in the discipline of internal medicine and its subspecialties, and areas of added qualifications.
Clinician-Consumer Health Advisory Network (CHAIN)
CHAIN is an online educational, informational, and resource program operated by the Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) Educational Consortium; which includes the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Communicating with Your Doctor: The PACE System
Created by Donald J. Cegala, Professor of Communications at Ohio State University, helps patients communicate clearly with their clinician.
DoctorFinder
American Medical Association (AMA) provides the user with basic professional information on virtually every licensed physician in the United States. This includes more than 814,000 doctors.
Find Insurance Options "new"
This tool will help you find the health insurance best suited to your needs, whether it's private insurance for individuals, families, and small businesses, or public programs that may work for you. It was created to help consumers under the health insurance reform law, the Affordable Care Act.
Health Insight: A Consumer's Guide to Taking Charge of Health Information
Created by Dr. Kimberly M. Thompson, this website is part of a Harvard School of Public Health's Center for Risk Analysis project aimed at helping consumers evaluate health and scientific information and consider how the information can be used to improve their lives.
Hospital Compare
Created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and others is a tool where you will find information on how well hospitals care for patients with certain medical conditions or surgical procedures.
Hospital Directory
This collaboration between the American Hospital Association and U.S.News & World Report provides FREE access and no registration! Start with a search by state.
Is Your Doctor Certified?
Provided as a public service for personal consumers to determine if a doctor is board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Mayo Clinic Health Manager
This FREE tool that enables you to get interactive, personal guidance based on health information from Mayo Clinic experts. Plus, you can easily access and organize your family's health information all in one place.
My Family Health Portrait: A Tool From the Surgeon General
This internet-based tool makes it easy for you to record your family health history which can help your health care practitioner provide better care for you. All information is protected under the HIPAA Privacy Rule with the information never available to anyone else, unless you decide to share it.
Oregon PricePoint System
This Web site allows health care consumers in Oregon to receive basic, facility-specific information about services and charges.
Quality Care Finder "new"
Get contact information for hospitals, doctors, nursing homes, home health agencies, dialysis facilities, and drug and health plans.
Compare information about the quality of care and services these providers and plans offer. Get helpful tips on what to look for when comparing and choosing a provider or plan.
Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People
This publication from the National Institute on Aging helps you take an active role in your health care by being responsible and planning for good communication between you and your doctor.
- Infections
The Bad Bug Book
This handbook provides basic facts regarding foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and natural toxins from the FDA.
Flu.gov
Consider this as one-stop access to comprehensive government-wide information on pandemic influenza and avian influenza from the U.S. Government.
Infections from MedlinePlus
MedlinPlus created a special section which provides information on Infections from A to Z.
Infectious Disease Center
Learn about infectious diseases, prevention and treatments at this section of MedicineNet.com.
- Kidney & Urologic Disorders
Kidney Diseases
The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) provides detailed information on diseases of the kidney.
Kidney Patient Guide
Provides information not only on physical aspects of kidney failure but also on wider issues such as emotional, social and financial implications.
National Kidney Foundation's A to Z Guide
A comprehensive guide to kidney disease and related conditions with many resources.
nephrologychannel
Developed and monitored by board-certified physicians, nephrologychannel provides comprehensive, trustworthy information about conditions that affect the kidneys.
- Liver and Gallbladder Disorders
Liver Disease Information Center
The American Liver Foundation covers major liver diseases and related topics are covered in a concise but comprehensive manner.
Liver Glossary
The USC Liver Transplant Program and Center for Liver Disease provides this and other information on the liver and liver transplantation.
livertumor.org
This site educates people about the options for liver cancer treatment through a host of resources which include a medical glossary, a description of various treatment options, relevant articles, and a physician finder.
Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease
The University of Maryland Medical Center provides indepth information on the gallstones and the gallbladder.