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ABSTRACT
Many library-subscribed clinical databases contain educational materials for physicians and librarians to share with patients. These materials are typically written in layperson language meant to be understood by the average, nonclinician person. However, the materials found in these online databases vary widely, and some are better than others. This article uses the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) to evaluate the patient education content of several popular clinical databases, including Access Medicine, Clinical Key, DynaMed Plus, Epocrates, and UpToDate. These databases are also evaluated on other, more basic criteria, including findability, content, printing to PDF, customizability, and available languages.
Acknowledgments
The author would like to acknowledge Natasha Williams and Amelia Strickland for their invaluable assistance in evaluating the patient education materials reviewed in this column.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Shalu Gillum
Shalu Gillum, JD, MLS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Head of Public Services, University of Central Florida, College of Medicine, Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library, 6850 Lake Nona Blvd., Suite 210B, Orlando, FL 32827.