Sally Patrick, Outreach Librarian at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center guests on Studio 5
A well-informed patient is a good partner with his or her clinician to ensure better health care. All Utah public libraries are Free and available for everyone who seeks health information for themselves or their family and friends. Libraries have high-speed internet access and helpful librarians to assist patrons looking for health or any other information.
You can use the internet and books and magazines in the library. If you want to take the materials home, librarians can help you get a library card with two forms of identification showing where you live.
The internet is a wonderful resource for health information but you must be careful to get reliable information. Librarians can help direct you to the accurate information to better your health.
The Utah Women’s Health Information Network (UWIN) Project
This clinic/public library partnership initiative is a 3-year grant between Health and Human Services on women’s Health and the University of Utah Health Sciences Center to develop Clinic and Public Library partnerships to disseminate health information statewide.
This program hopes to improve access to reliable health information for patients and providers. It’s the same goal for clinics and public libraries. It also hopes to improve health care for Utah women and thus all Utah residents and their families.
Check out posters and bookmarks in doctors’ offices provide information with reliable websites and how to find your public library. Also check with your doctor about the “information prescription” and have him/her write up what they want you to look up. Take your information prescription to your library and librarians can help you locate the information about your disease or condition.
There are several authoritative portals to make sure you’re “surfing” correct health information on the internet. And they’re all free. They are featured on the GHI@YL bookmark and your librarian can help you.
Resources:
UtaHealthNet: http://utahealthnet.utah.edu – Utah’s consumer health portal
Ask-A-Medical Librarian at the Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah (801) 581-5534 or toll free at 866 581-5534
Utah State Library – go to your nearest library (www.library.utah.gov/directory
Pioneer: Utah’s Online Library www.pioneer.utah.gov
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