Genetics Home Reference Information Rx is a new program that encourages practitioners to refer their patients to Genetics Home Reference, a free consumer health web site produced by the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The site has detailed, easy-to-understand information on topics pertaining to genetic conditions and related genes -- including more than 200 genetic diseases, conditions and syndromes and the health effects of more than 300 genes. It also features an illustrated tutorial that explains the basics of genetics from the cellular level on up, a handbook for learning about human genetics, a glossary of genetics terms and numerous links to additional information.
Physicians in the Genetics Home Reference Information Rx program may request free "Information Rx" pads, allowing them to write "prescriptions" that steer patients to the Genetics Home Reference site. Four associations -- the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists and the American College of Medical Genetics -- have joined with the NLM and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development on this initiative.
A similar Information Rx Project was launched in 2003 to assist physicians in steering their patients to NLM's MedlinePlus database, which has information on more than 700 health topics and many other resources.
The Information Rx pads may be ordered at http://www.informationrx.org.
