WEB ALERT

Abstract

Biomet: www.biomet.com/biologics/whyGPS.cfm Description: Biomet is a multibillion dollar company that designs and manufactures products used primarily by musculoskeletal medical specialists in both surgical and nonsurgical therapy. The products sold range from surgical tools and implants to biologics such as systems used for platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy. The Web site also provides clear directions to professionals regarding training for use of their products. It is a well designed, easy-to-navigate, and visually appealing Web site. Its product descriptions are succinct and useful with easy to understand graphics. Cost: Free. American Osteopathic Association: www.osteopathic.org Description: The American Osteopathic Association is a membership organization that represents thousands of osteopathic physicians around the country and serves as the primary certifying body for osteopathic doctors, medical schools, and health care facilities. The Web site provides the history and structure of the organization as well as a series of useful medical links for professionals and patients. It also provides a nice description of the differences in allopathic and osteopathic medicine and includes a Spanish version of the document. Overall, the Web site is well designed, intuitive, and provides useful information. Cost: Free. The Natural Standard: www.naturalstandard.com Description: Natural Standard is an international research collaboration that aggregates and synthesizes data on complementary and alternative therapies. Recommendations are made by a panel of physicians, research scientists, naturopathic doctors, pharmacists, and nurses. The group attempts to use evidence-based, consensus-based, and peer-reviewed material to help guide health care providers in making more informed decisions regarding use of alternative therapies. The site offers a tremendous amount of quality information and is very easy to use. Cost: Negotiated by contacting the company. Clin-eguide: www.clineguide.com/index.aspx Description: Clin-eguide is an online clinical decision support tool designed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and large health care facilities. The site uses a variety of sources and products in combination to allow for quick research into a clinical question. The results of clinical searches are also graded by quality. This is a very powerful tool for clinicians involved in medical decision making or for research. The program is very easy to navigate and simple to use. The Web site for the product is somewhat oversimplified and redundant but gives good information about what the tool can offer clinicians. Cost: Negotiated by contacting the company. Steadman Philippon Research Institute: www.shsmf.org Description: The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (formerly the Steadman Hawkins Research Foundation) is an independent charitable foundation that focuses its studies on causes, prevention, and treatment of orthopedic disorders. It was founded in 1988 by an orthopedist named Dr. Richard Steadman. Since that time, it has grown into a very large clinical and basic science research center located in Vail, CO. Its Web site discusses ongoing and past research and gives detailed results of its projects. It also discusses the history of the program as well as the personnel who have been involved through the years. The structure of the site is well designed and easy to navigate, although there are a few long scrolling sections that are somewhat cumbersome to read. Overall it is a nice site for those interested in orthopedic research. Cost: Free.