Warnings When Using a Health Library

Health libraries are a fantastic resource when used correctly, but that are also some warnings when using a health library which need to be taken into account.

'A place for everything and everything in its place', if only there was a dime for every time some mother had said that to her untidy children, but the same line can also be applied to things other than shoes and school bags, it can also fit in very nicely with the use of health libraries. Health libraries are primarily a source of information for physicians, health professionals, nurses, researchers and all of those other 'professionally qualified' types, indeed it is a requirement that every hospital, medical center, medical college, university has it's very own fully equipped health library in order for them to be accredited.

Online Health Libraries

The phenomenal growth of the internet over the past few decades has meant that many digital health libraries are now available online to anybody who is remotely interested. They do have advantages over the traditional library books in some ways, in that they are much more accessible to all and are generally easier to keep updated, but there are some downsides too, for a start, you can't prop the door open with a virtual book can you, or stand on a particularly large volume to reach the top shelf.

Other disadvantages of online health libraries can be their potential and persistent use by the serial hypochondriac. A little knowledge can be dangerous, (coming from someone who once wiped out the entire customer records database at work as a direct result of two computer night classes - well, who was to know it would be so final!) and generally speaking, many serial hypochondriacs are their own worst enemy. Even doctors and nurses rely heavily on the assistance of a medical librarian to dig out the correct information, it's really scary what self diagnosis some people might come up with, which, apart from being a real nuisance to all family and friends (everything on the top shelf of the family china cabinet and all the family silver is yours dear, when I'm gone, which might be sooner than you think) can also be pretty dangerous.

Even over the counter drugs can be dangerous when used incorrectly, and it is really important that anyone who is worried about their health seeks professional medical advice, and doesn't just register with 'diseasesRus' to see what's the most popular this week. Wrong diagnosis can lead to wrong medication which can lead to real complications, so it really would be a good idea for some open health libraries to carry a government health warning: 'Warning, Incorrect Use of Health Libraries Can Seriously Damage Your Health.' Yes, that should do it.

Warnings abound when it comes to vet and animal care. Many medications are now available online, but without the proper training, a pet owner may want to talk to a vet first before administering any medication. One of the downsides of many online health libraries is that people can think they have all of the information, but this is not always the case.