Consumer Health Complete is an Ebsco product that has a different look Ebscohost interface. It is one of two health databases provided as part of the the Gulliver Core (the other is Health and Wellness Resource Centre)It provides full-text content from over 1000 health related periodicals covering mainstream medicine as well as complementary, holistic and integrated medicine. The reference book content is large but varies in quality (check the dates!). It also includes health reports and fact sheets written for the layperson on diseases, conditions and procedures, drug information sheets, videos and animations.
Database Coverage List
It is aimed at the general public, with "consumer-oriented health content. It is designed to support patients' information needs and foster an overall understanding of health-related topics."
Resources
Take the Guided Tour: http://support.epnet.com/training/flash-videos/CHCinterfaceTutorial.html (5 minutes)
Check out the Basic Search Helpsheet:
http://support.ebsco.com/uploads/kb/chc_basichelpsheet_0707.doc
and the Advanced Search Helpsheet:
http://support.ebsco.com/uploads/kb/chc_guidedhelpsheet_0707.doc
If you are really keen - check out the detailed 69 page Complete User Guide
(these helpsheet links take you to a webpage, where you click on the Document Download link to open the Word file)
Exercises
1. Budesonide is a drug used to treat Asthma. What other conditions is it used to treat?
2. List the title, author and source of a recent news article on food allergy.
3. Find a video on laser eye surgery and list the title.
4. What is the best reference book for information on diabetes in this database?
5. Compare the information available for "Addison's Disease" in Consumer Health Complete and Health and Wellness. Which do you think is better for public library patrons?