State Library participates in launch of Patient Information Program

The American College of Physicians - American Society of Internal Medicine Foundation (ACP-ASIM Foundation) has teamed with the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to create the "Health Information Prescription" program. Now, doctors throughout Iowa will have customized prescription pads that they can use to point patients to first-rate online health information in NLM’s MEDLINEplus database (www.medlineplus.gov.)

This information prescription program will work hand in hand with HealthInfoIowa (www.healthinfoiowa.org), the State Library’s easy-to-use, trustworthy health information site which links to MEDLINEplus and other medical and health information sources.

Kickoff of the "Health Information Prescription" program was Monday, April 7 at the State Library of Iowa. It featured remarks by The Honorable Tom Harkin; Dr. Michael Kienzle, practicing physician and member of the ACP-ASIM Iowa chapter; Dr.Whitney Addington, chair, ACP-ASIM Foundation; Dr. Donald Lindberg, director, NLM; and Mary Wegner, State Librarian of Iowa.

"Physicians have always known that an informed patient who takes an active role is a ‘better’ patient," said Lindberg. "We believe that both patients and their doctors will welcome this additional medical tool – good medical information – in their continuing efforts to provide good health care. Medical and public libraries will play an important role in the success of the ‘Information Rx project."

Said Wegner, "The fact that this press conference was held at the State Library highlights the important role librarians play in helping their library customers find and evaluate health information. We anticipate Iowans will soon be bringing their health prescriptions to local libraries."

The National Library of Medicine is part of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.