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Website reviews
Website reviews @ TOG Website reviews editors Orfhlaith O’Sullivan / Barry O’Reilly
In 2011, we continue to review websites we feel are relevant to the articles in each issue, which cover a wide range of subjects within our specialty. As always, this throws up a challenge, to which we hope we have risen! 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.iuga.org The International Urogynecological Association recently launched their new-look website. The layout is very conventional, with a login section on the left hand border; the menu bars in blue and orange stand out well against a white background. The expansive main menu, in the form of a banner, aids navigation, with each heading being further subdivided into related issues, allowing quick access to the required information. Both doctors and patients can access the beautifully illustrated and informative patient leaflets on various topics by clicking on ‘Patient information’. These can be obtained from IUGA and used as aids
© 2011 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
in outpatient counselling sessions. It must be mentioned that some areas are restricted to members only. The website is quick to highlight the cost and benefits to the member. Benefits include a subscription to the International Urogynecology Journal, discounted registration at the annual meeting, the quarterly newsletter and eligibility to apply for IUGA grants. Membership is a must for all with an interest in urogynaecology. No new website would be complete without its discussion forum and here IUGA do not disappoint; however, there is still a paucity of discussion at present. This website is well developed, easy to navigate and aids in advancing urogynaecological knowledge around the world.
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www.fragilex.org.uk The Fragile X Society was founded in 1990 by families affected by fragile X syndrome. The Society aims to provide support and information to families, to educate and inform both public and professionals and to encourage research. The website is clear and concise with easy navigation using the banner menu. This site caters for all, with separate sections explaining what fragile X syndrome is, its genetic inheritance, testing for the disorder and what being a carrier
www.iaso.org Unfortunately, obesity in gynaecology has not attracted the same interest or discussion as the effect of obesity on pregnancy. An initial internet search found many international publications on the topic that are worth a read in their own right but, unfortunately, there was no dedicated website. The International Association for the Study of Obesity is a not-for-profit organisation linking over
www.daisynetwork.org.uk The Daisy Network Premature Menopause Support Group is a registered charity for women who have experienced premature menopause. Based in the UK, it provides information in a concise, clear manner. The website layout is simple yet effective. The information is provided in separate sections, which include ‘Health’, ‘Treatments’ and ‘Fertility’. Each
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means. There are further areas of interest to professionals, the newly diagnosed and their families. It even has a special kids’ zone with links to different child-specific sites, such as CBeebies. The information has been written by or in consultation with medical, scientific and educational advisors, ensuring that it is factual and unbiased. The most up-to-date research news is available for all to peruse. The website provides information on links to other groups worldwide and on how to access information in other languages. Altogether, an excellent site to recommend to patients.
50 regional and national associations ‘to improve global health by promoting the understanding of obesity and weight-related diseases through scientific research and dialogue, whilst encouraging the development of effective policies for their prevention and management’. The website is well designed, providing two userfriendly menus to access information and useful links. While not dedicated to gynaecology, it gives excellent information on obesity’s health impact and what can be done to ameliorate this epidemic.
section is then subdivided, with menus on the right hand side and, where appropriate, links to others sites and reading recommendations. Free membership of this group allows access to further information via e-mail or post. A new forum has been activated since January 2011, allowing women to exchange experiences following what is a life-altering diagnosis. An excellent site to recommend to sufferers and their partners.
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www.hyperemesis.org The Hyperemesis Education & Research (HER) Foundation was set up in 2002. Their mission is to advance hyperemesis research and provide education and support to those seeking effective management strategies. The homepage allows the user to choose a language in which to browse the site. Furthermore, sections of interest to mothers, family, friends and healthcare professionals can be perused via the banner menu. On entering the area for professionals the depth of information that is available from the website becomes apparent. Detailed treatment strategies are available, with evidence to support their use. The section on
www.babycentre.co.uk While this website initially feels like a New Age site, on further inspection the information provided is well balanced and to the point. The site is divided, using the banner menu, into sections headed ‘Getting pregnant’, ‘Pregnancy’, ‘Labour & birth’, ‘Baby’, ‘Toddler’, ‘Preschooler’ and ‘Midwives’. On entering the pregnancy section there are links to valuable information, including on antenatal screening and complications of pregnancy, with an insightful section on pre-eclampsia. The
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medications provides detailed information, including potential adverse effects and effects on the fetus for each group of medications used as a therapeutic agent.
Website reviews
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The mothers’ area has sections on frequently asked questions, a concise survival guide, postpartum advice and advice on subsequent pregnancy. From the website it is evident that the Foundation is heavily involved in research to provide vital insight into this condition. Where available, links to research papers are provided to substantiate the information provided. The research section is a valuable tool for healthcare professionals caring for women with hyperemesis. All in all, this website should be recommended to all mums suffering from hyperemesis.
information is conveyed using layman’s terminology, which helps to impart to women the importance of this condition: it even goes on to explain the potential outcomes for both mother and baby.
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By quickly logging on to the site, mums get weekly newsletters on pregnancy development and they can find out the top 100 names of the year. One drawback to this site are the many adverts that line both the left and right hand margins and which are distracting to users.
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