Use healthcare reference databases to find information on health issues and medical conditions

If you are looking for reputable information on diseases or drugs, or want to research a medical condition, there are many healthcare reference databases to choose from, but first you must know where to find them.

I recommend: The National Library of Medicine has put together a collection of reputable healthcare databases intended for the general public called Medline Plus. Here you can look for information on medical conditions your employees might be facing, check out drugs and supplements, and look up terms you might not understand in a medical dictionary. For more advanced information, check out the same healthcare research database your doctor probably uses, Pubmed. In the Pubmed medical database you will find articles from medical and nursing journals, and learn the latest treatment options for various diseases.

Find a doctor or hospital in a healthcare research database before entrusting them with your health

There are some healthcare informational databases that will help you determine if your doctor or hospital is somebody you can trust.

I recommend: The American Medical Association has set up a healthcare research database called DoctorFinder that lets you see a physician's age, education, and specialty. The online medical database for Medicare also has a healthcare professional directory that not only includes doctors, but also lists nurse practitioners, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a hospital comparison tool that provides information on how hospitals are succeeding with various quality measures.

Make sure your work environment is safe by exploring some databases in healthcare prevention

There are various healthcare informational databases available that will let you see if seemingly harmless chemicals in your environment have known side effects that could put your health at risk. You may be able to prevent problems before they occur by checking out some of these health care databases.

I recommend: Tox Town lets you explore various settings, types of businesses, and determine if a work environment could be the cause of any health issues affecting your workers. The Household Products Database lists products you may have in your office or workplace, and provides details on any problems they may cause. This healthcare database also contains contact information for manufacturers, in case you need more information.