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10.1576/toag.13.1.64.27645 http://onlinetog.org
The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Website reviews @ TOG Website reviews editors Orfhlaith O’Sullivan / Barry O’Reilly
Google ‘endometriosis’ and you get 9 860 000 hits in 0.18 seconds. These range from websites set up by sufferers, giving a personal account of their symptoms and treatments, to well respected medical websites with links to published articles on the topic. Author details Orfhlaith O’Sullivan MRCSI MCh MRCPI MRCOG Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Republic of Ireland
Barry O’Reilly MD FRCOG FRANZCOG (Website Reviews Editor) Consultant in Obstetrics/Gynaecology; Subspecialist in Urogynaecology Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Republic of Ireland Email:
[email protected]
www.uptodate.com By far the most up-to-date information for both patients and doctors can be found on UpToDate. While this website requires a subscription, many learned institutions have it available for all to use. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorses the website as part of its official programme.
www.conceivingconcepts.com NO IMAGE AVAILABLE
This America-based website is targeted at patients and doctors. It provides in-depth information regarding causes, investigations and treatment of infertility in both males and females. Furthermore, it provides couples with information on third party reproduction. Navigation of this site is aided by the expansive main menu on the left border; each heading is further subdivided into related issues, allowing quick access to the information required.
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With its ease of use it ensures that evidence-based medicine is at your fingertips, with links to associated topics and journal articles. Altogether an excellent ally for trainees and those who want to keep up to date with what’s new in obstetrics and gynaecology.
From a patient’s point of view it delivers on all levels, as there is a blog which is regularly updated and which contains useful links to related issues and support groups. For the discerning trainee it provides the basic fundamentals from which to expand one’s knowledge while also gaining insight into patients’ beliefs and mentality. This website is sponsored by a number of fertility clinics (all US based) and, unfortunately, the advertisements detract from the overall appeal of the site.
© 2011 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
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www.emedicine.medscape.com A search for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)related websites exposes the large void that clearly exists in the area. Most patient information sites, including the American APS Association website, provide scant details of its effect on pregnancy. Many more are simply a clone of the previous site, with only basic information available. With regard to APS, the eMedicine site is very informative and gives insights into this complex condition and its systemic effects, including early pregnancy loss. The subsection dedicated to APS and pregnancy provides a detailed care plan for
www.cancerresearchuk.org Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. It aims to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, thus ensuring increased survival. CancerHelp UK is the patient information website of Cancer Research UK. It provides unbiased, insightful information to empower
www.birth.com.au Search the term ‘twin pregnancy’ and immediately sites full of cute pictures of twins and blogs from ‘moms’ sharing their experiences appear. This Australian website is a pregnancy, labour and birth resource. The design is simple yet effective and each stage of pregnancy and labour is addressed separately, with simple but factual explanations given. Navigation via a banner menu with dropdown options is very efficient.
© 2011 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
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Website reviews
all stages of pregnancy and the puerperium. It divides the topic into four sections: overview, workup, treatment and follow-up, with references and further reading recommendations included. eMedicine provides the user with the ability to search for peer reviewed information on all aspects of obstetrics and gynaecology. The site details the authors’ backgrounds and references the information source. It also enables the user to search other medical databases with ease. If you take the opportunity to sign in (free of charge) you are immediately informed of any updates as they are posted in your chosen specialty.
patients and families coping with the diagnosis. The homepage banner menu allows for easy navigation and each page has a number of subsections providing frank information for the user. By using the search tool, detailed and specific information can readily be retrieved. The site deals sensitively with emotional and physical aspects of all types of cancer. This website is a wonderful aid to those dealing with cancer on a professional and personal level.
With regard to twins and delivery options, it details the prerequisites for safe vaginal delivery and discusses the potential need for external cephalic version or internal podalic version prior to delivery of the second twin. Furthermore, it also discusses the indications for caesarean section in this high-risk population. For those who require or desire further knowledge, references are given at the end of each section; unfortunately there are no links to these. Overall, a website worth recommending to patients.
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