WebMD is a website that offers patients a wide variety of medical information to assist with their healthcare. Because of its broad range of information and advice, WebMD is many patients' first line of defense when they are sick or injured or need health advice.
History
In 1995 James H. Clark founded Healtheon Corporation. The company's original goals were to streamline patient billing and medical information to better the healthcare industry. In 1999, the company went public and merged with WebMD. The company's goals changed direction, focusing on providing patients with extensive medical information over the Internet. Even though WebMD didn't post profits until 2003, it has become a successful and profitable company since then.
Benefits
WebMD allows patients to take partial control over their health care. It empowers them by providing relevant information on patient issues, such as medication, illnesses, tests and research. By using WebMD, patients are better able to assist their doctors with diagnosing and treating illness. WebMD's information also prevents unnecessary doctor visits by advising patients on the severity of some medical issues.
Features
WebMD's features include detailed information on illnesses, symptom look-up, patient reviews of medicines and pill identifier information. There are forums where patients discuss symptoms and personal stories. WebMD also offers physician lookup and hospital locator services. News stories related to health are available on WebMD, and those relevant to patient conditions have links on the specific condition pages. There are healthy living tips, food and eating advice, and parenting guidance. WebMD offers links to sites that provide health care products and services.
Misconceptions
WebMD is more than just a directory of symptoms and illnesses. It offers a broad range of services to cover preventative health as well as diagnosis and treatment assistance. WebMD strives to be a patient's one-stop health information site. There is no way WebMD can diagnose or rule out a condition, it can only provide information on illnesses and recommendations based on symptoms.
Warning
WebMD is not a substitute for a doctor. It is a service that works in combination with a partnership with a doctor to assist patients in receiving the best medical care possible. Don't hesitate to call a doctor, even if WebMD's information suggests it is not necessary. A self-assessment using online tools is not perfect, and a full examination by a medical professional is the only way to definitively confirm or rule out medical issues.
Tags: medical information, broad range, health care, information illnesses, medical issues, WebMD information
