INTELIHEALTH WEB-SITE

The promise of up-to-date and easily accessible information on the web is often countered by mistrust for the source. Magazines, natural herb companies, and even regular folks have sites on the internet that claim to provide "objective" information on health-related topics. Aetna U.S. Healthcare and Johns Hopkins University and Health Systems began collaborating in February of 1996 and eventually formed form InteliHealth. InteliHealth received the 1999 Webby award for the best health-related web site on the internet. The site boasts over three million pages of health resources and advice. It offers diagnostic quizzes, a medical dictionary, chatrooms, breaking medical news, and much more. All the information is reviewed by doctors at John Hopkins who will sometimes publish commentary with the information provided. Visitors may even request research from a medical librarian for about $50, which includes hard copies of the results. Two words of caution, the site is so big that it may take time to learn how to use it effectively. Certain browsers like America Online and WebTV have experienced problems utilizing some of the features on the site. InteliHealth is a great resource to offer patients who are interested in learning more about their illness. Visit www.intelihealth.com

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