IN Health Connect: Connecting Local Health Services to Quality-Filtered Health Information

Abstract

To many librarians, the term MEDLINE has connotations of a huge, complex database that returns far too many citations with little relevance or readability for most library users. And although some might expect that MedlinePlus is more of the same, it is really QFWBFTCHI – quality-filter, web-based, full-text, consumer health information. Unlike MEDLINE, MedlinePlus is relevant and readable for the library user seeking health information. Librarians in Indiana have contributed to a unique dimension of MedlinePlus, IN Health Connect, which offers state residents consumer health information specific to the region where they live. Some background on MedlinePlus prefaces the development of this initiative.