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Tutorial 1—Resources for Professionals

Consumer health information

Consumer health information is "any information that enables individuals to understand their health and make health-related decisions for themselves or their families." (Patrick and Koss, 1995 [http://nnlm.gov/train/chi/sws.html])

An important point: consumer health information does not equal patient education.

Consumer health information

  • Involves general health and wellness issues or treatment options
  • Is consumer-driven
  • Is sought for personal use or on behalf of family members or friends

Patient education

  • Is initiated by a doctor, nurse, or another health professional
  • Involves medical instructions or information given to a patient
  • Is prescribed for the purpose of changing behavior and improving health

Consumer health information is created and distributed by:

  • Health organizations
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Government agencies
  • Community organizations and agencies
  • Employers
  • Non-profit voluntary associations
  • Commercial enterprises
  • Libraries
  • News media
  • Networks of laypersons

Many of these individuals and organizations have used the Web to share consumer health information. The information ranges from reliable to downright weird.

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Copyright © 2001 Iowa Consumer Health Project
Disclaimer and Privacy Statement

HealthInfoIowa, a consumer health information resource from
the State Library of Iowa,is funded by the National Library of Medicine
under contract NO1-LM-6-3523 with the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Updated: 24 July 2001