Finding Clinical Trials

This from ResearchBuzz

Clinical research company Quintiles has launched Clinical Research at http://www.clinicalresearch.com, a Web site that makes it easier to find clinical research.

What you’ll find really depends on what you’re researching — I found one study of thyroid disorders, and that was in the context of breast cancer. When you review the available clinical trial studies please be sure to check the last time they were updated. Of the two autism studies I looked at, one was last updated in 2005. (The other was updated in the last week.)

The front page of the Web site asks you to provide the condition for which you’re searching and a location. If you enter something ambiguous (like “cancer”) the site will suggest topics. The location can be as narrow as a zip code, or a city (Madrid, Spain is one of the examples) or as encompassing as USA.

I did a search for autism in USA. I found 81 global studies but two within 150 miles of my stated point — one in Kansas City and one in Oklahoma City. When you look at the results for your search, you’ll notice that there are many ways to filter your search results — by age, gender, type of study, etc. — if you happen to get more than two search results. Each map pointer has a brief amount of information about the study, but to get more data you’ll have to click on the title of a study, when the map will center on that study and present more context and additional details in a pointer bubble. You’ll also be able to get study contact information  (requires creating a free account), find similar studies, or e-mail the study to a friend. 

Frankenstein??

Just in time for Halloween, the National Library of Medicine, History of Medicine Department offers insight into Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus through it’s traveling exhibit, Frankenstein:  Penetrating the Secrets of Nature.  Online content includes:  The Birth of Frankenstein; information on the author; The celluloid monster – Hollywood, magazine covers; and Promise & Peril – the search for balance, animal organs in humans.

Michigan’s SeniorBrigade

In September, 2009 the Michigan Attorney General’s office launched the Senior Brigade initiative.  This initiative includes information available 24/7 with dozens of links that can help Michigan seniors and their families make informed decisions regarding healthcare and financial matters. The program also includes information to help protect them from seniors scams and fraud and provides links to veterans affairs resources.

The SeniorBrigade events calendar includes events for seniors around the State of Michigan. The calendar can be browsed by month, or you may search for an event by city, county, location, or title. To view events by category, use the drop-down menu.

Michigan Partners on the PATH

The PATH program  – Personal Action Toward Health – is a chronic disease self-management program for anyone with long term health conditions and their family members or caregivers.  In Michigan,  the Diabetes & Other Chronic Disease Section within the Department of Community Health is coordinating participation.  Michigan Partners on the PATH is a 6 week workshop designed to provide strategies and techniques to assist with chronic health problems management.  Workshops are being held in Lansing (Michigan) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Physicians Health Plan, Lansing; Dawe Auditorium (Washington & Greenlawn); and the Sparrow Professional Building, Lansing. 

Need More Information?  Contact:  Karen McCloskey at 517-335-1236 or mccloskeyk@michigan.gov   Or pick-up a program brochure on the 2nd floor of  the CADL Downtown Lansing Library at 401 S. Capitol. 

H1N1 Rap Video

Have you got 1 minute for a quick & entertaining lesson on how to avoid catching the H1N1 virus?  Check out this engaging & educational rap video.  The H1N1 Rap was written, composed, produced, and performed by John D. Clarke, MD, FAAFP.  Go to Flu.gov a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for the latest on H1N1.

Why Don’t We Do It In Our Sleeves? – redux

 

*Note: this is a repeat of an earlier post which is pertinent now more than ever as everyone struggles to combat the H1N1 virus.   A common thread in all advice about how to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus is to contain sneezes and the germ filled droplets they broadcast. 

Sneezing is what the title of this post refers to and the very clever video,  Why Don’t We Do It In Our Sleeves explains what I mean.  Most people think that covering a sneeze (or cough for that matter) with one’s hand is conscientious, courteous and a sound technique for preventing the spread of germs.  But, as the little video demonstrates, it is far from the best or even preferred method.  Think about it for a minute, you sneeze into your hand and then use that same hand to turn a door knob, pick up the phone, greet a friend with a handshake,  hmmm – well, you get the idea.   What do you think?

Producer OtoRhinoLounsburgology Productions explains:
This five minute video was designed to encourage people to cough and sneeze according to the infection control guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is aimed at the common citizen. Its message is serious, but it is presented with humor in such a way that it engages the viewer’s attention for a full five minutes while the message is repeated in interesting new ways. It can be enjoyed by individuals, but it is even more fun to watch in groups, resulting in community reinforcement. It has been used in hospitals and schools with great success. It actually makes people change the way they cough and sneeze.

This video was produced with the assistance of three infectious disease doctors, two hospitals, and the Maine Medical Association, to whom the author is grateful. The author, Ben Lounsbury MD, is an Ear, Nose and Throat physician.

2009 Healthy & Fit Magazine Expo

Plan to join the staff of Healthy & Fit Magazine as they present their annual Healthy & Fit Magazine Expo at the Lansing (Michigan) Center on Saturday, September 26 from 10am to 4pm.  

This is a FREE family friendly event that’s fun for all ages. With 120 vendors the expo offers all of the newest innovative information available in regards to health and fitness. It will also get you on your feet and involved with its free interactive workout areas, kid’s games, demonstration stage, Tiki-head (inflatable rock wall for kids), live aerobics and cardio hip-hop demonstrations, giveaways, kayak demonstrations on the Grand River, and an inflatable obstacle course for all ages.

 

Lacks Cancer Center

Lacks Cancer Center at Saint Mary’s in Grand Rapids is the region’s leading cancer center and the largest public cancer resource library in Michigan.  The Warren Reynolds Library at the center provides free information on cancer and its related topics to anyone in Michigan.  The library’s holdings include books, videos/DVDs, pamphlets, audio CDs, and educational software.  An oncology trained medical librarian is on hand to assist in finding the best information and assistance is by phone, email, or fax.  In addition, the library has a reading room, private study rooms, and computers with online access.

If you or a family member has questions about cancer, treatments, research, and other related topics, contact the library at 616-685-5150, Monday – Friday 8:30am -5:00pm.

HealthBase

Here is a new health resources that offers a unique approach to sifting through the vast quantities of online medical/health websites and zeroing in on quality, authoritative, and reliable information.  HealthBase  is a (self described) research solution for healthcare powered by NetBase Solutions.  It relies on “content intelligence technology”**  to scour millions of documents to provide results in 4 areas – treatments for health conditions, causes of health conditions, complications of health conditions, and pros & cons of drugs, foods, chemicals and treatments.   Answers are retrived from authoritative health resources including:  PubMed, eMedicine, WebMD, Health Central, Mayo Clinic, Health Finder, and NetWellness. 

** NetBase’s Content Intelligence Technology reads every sentence inside documents, linguistically understands the content and powers breakthrough search experiences that deliver highly relevant answers and insights. It’s the world’s only technology that can:

  • Harness billions of documents
  • Linguistically understand sentences
  • Automatically find answers

NetBase is used by organizations that are recognized as global leaders in healthcare, consumer packaged goods, publishing, manufacturing, government and more. 

Disclaimer:  This Site Does Not Offer Medical Advice and Nothing in the Content Is Intended to Constitute Professional Advice for Medical Diagnosis or Treatment.  The Contents on this Site is presented in a summary fashion with links to external health-related Internet Sites, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Michigan Helping Hand

The State of Michigan has launched a new website called Helping Hand for people who are dealing with economic hardship.  It includes links to information about jobs & training; unemployment; health care; family support; and housing.   Subheadings under the health care tab are:

“Note: The Helping Hand Web site provides quick access to information about programs and services for people facing economic hardship. The programs and services listed here represent only a portion of those available in Michigan communities.   Note that some programs and services have eligibility requirements and may involve wait periods.”

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