General Resources: Information for Patients

One of the challenges you may face as a person with a chronic disease is understanding of the medical terminology related to your illness. You may need to be familiar with certain terms and definitions in order to discuss your condition with your doctor.

There are many sources of medical information available on the Internet; some are from reputable, reliable sources, some are not. The following resources provide a wide range of medical information and are maintained by reputable organizations.

»  General Purpose
»  Diet and Nutrition
»  Exercise
»  Stop Smoking

Resources related to certain illnesses can be found under Specific Diseases (at left, under Contents).

General Purpose

BC HealthGuide Program
The BC HealthGuide Program, a self-care program funded by the Ministry of Health, started in Spring 2001 to provide health information and advice to every BC citizen wherever they live, whenever they need it. The Program has three integrated components to help you and your family make wise health decisions, including when to see a doctor, how to manage symptoms and conditions, home treatments and resources, and tips and tools for healthy living. The components are the BC NurseLine, the BC HealthGuide Handbook, and BC HealthGuide OnLine.

BC NurseLine is a 24/7 confidential health information and advice service that puts you in touch by phone with a specially trained registered nurse, any time of the day or night. Call the BC NurseLine, with your BC CareCard handy, at one of these numbers:

   Within Greater Vancouver: 604 215-4700
   Toll free elsewhere in B.C.: 1 866 215-4700
   Deaf and Hearing Impaired toll-free in B.C. (TTY):
     1 866 889-4700

BC HealthGuide Handbook was delivered free to every B.C. household in the spring of 2001. It has detailed health information and advice on over 190 common symptoms, conditions and diseases to help you take care of yourself and your family. To request a handbook, call the Ministry of Health Information Line at 1 800 465-4911.

BC HealthGuide OnLine has a world of health information just a click away, through the award-winning Healthwise Knowledgebase®. Over 2500 detailed symptom and condition-based topics are available, including topic overviews, check your symptoms, when to see a doctor, home treatments, and tips and tools for healthy living. Information specific to B.C. is also available, including the BC HealthFiles.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
A patient education program offered in communities throughout British Columbia that teaches practical skills in managing chronic health problems.

   Toll-free in B.C.: 1 866-902-3767

Canadian Health Network
Canadian Health Network is Canada's national health information network. Start your search here for health information developed by leading Canadian health organizations and international health information providers.

National Institutes of Health (US)
Comprehensive site provides information about specific health conditions, drug information, health literature and links to National Library of Medicine.

Diet and Nutrition

Dial-a-Dietitian
Dial-A-Dietitian is a free nutrition information line for B.C. residents. It specializes in easy-to-use nutrition information for self-care, based on current scientific sources. Dietitians provide brief nutrition consultation by phone. This is an excellent source of information about special diets for people with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease.

   Toll-free in B.C.: 1 800 667-3438
   Greater Vancouver: 604 732-9191

Exercise

Canada's Physical Activity Web site
Health Canada's online guide is designed to help you make wise choices about physical activity that will improve your health, help prevent disease, and allow you to get the most out of life. If you think your congestive heart failure might prevent you from becoming more active, check out the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.

Stop Smoking

BC QuitNet
This site, sponsored by the Government of B.C. and the BC Lung Association, is dedicated to providing comprehensive resources and support for people trying to give up smoking.

BC Tobacco Reduction and Control
Visit this site for information about tobacco and smoking, and links to Regional Tobacco Reduction Coordinators to find out what local programs are available. The site includes links to Tobbaccofacts and What is in Cigarettes?

Health Canada: Go Smoke Free!
Health Canada has an online smoking cessation help site called Quitting that includes a free, quit-smoking e-mail service that will support you through the process, one day at a time.

Last Revised: January 16, 2009