Launch Of Family Doctor Home Adviser Online, A New Online Health Information Resource

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 02 Dec 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in collaboration with Dorling Kindersley (DK) Australia, has launched Family Doctor Home Adviser Online. This new online publication is designed to provide consumers with high quality, evidence based algorithms ('decision trees'), clear advice and simple explanations about their health, and it is all available for quick reference online.

The online publication, which is produced by DK and edited and endorsed by the college, is now available through the RACGP's website at http://www.racgp.org.au/familyhealth.

"GPs encourage patients to be better informed about their health and their health care. We are seeing more patients coming in to a consultation with information that they have downloaded from the internet; some of it is useful, but some is seriously questionable or downright misleading," said Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President and GP in northern New South Wales.

"Given that patients are seeking healthcare information online, it is important that the general practice profession provides access to a credible resource. This new online partnership between the RACGP and Dorling Kindersley, opens up new opportunities for patients to search out credible, evidence-based medical information on the net.

"Of course, information sourced over the internet is no substitute for seeing a GP. If you or a member of your family need medical attention, you should see a GP. If the matter is a medical emergency, you should present at a hospital or dial the ambulance," said Dr Mitchell.

The system-by-system chart finder in the program groups the symptom charts under the affected body part or process, such as ear and hearing symptoms or pregnancy and childbirth symptoms. In addition, at the start of each group (children, adults general, men and women) there is also a list of the charts contained within that group.

To read more about the Family Doctor Home Adviser Online, please visit http://www.racgp.org.au/familyhealth.

Family Doctor Health Advisor is for information purposes only, and is designed as a general reference and catalyst to seeking further information.

The RACGP is not engaged in providing medical or other advice or services, and is not responsible for the results of any actions taken by any person on the basis of any information in this publication, or for any error in, or omission from, this publication.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and represents the majority of Australia's general practitioners.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners