Introduction
Organized
form of large amount of information or data is Database. The dictionary is one
of the most common examples of Database where words are arranged alphabetically.
Databases can be stored on hard disk, floppy disk as well as on compact disk,
which may be erased or modified. In order to avoid such problem, the valuable
data can be stored on CD-ROM (Read Only Memory) in which we can retrieve the
information as when required but we can not make any sort of change. Such
databases are called as CD-ROM Database e.g. Medline on CD.
Depending
on the information, different software are commercially available and used for
storage of data e.g. accounts, patient’s information, bibliography etc. in a
specific manner. Individuals can prepare their own software for specific data
requirements. Computerized Database Management System (DBMS) stores the
information in such a way that it can be constantly updated and selectively
retrieved easily in specific form. For example the mailing list can be prepared
based on name, city, profession etc. In information retrieval, selectivity and
speed are the unique features which make the DBMS dearer to everyone. Latest
version of Database software is Window based-dBase, Fox base, MS-Excess &
Oracle. Lots of application software are available developed by programmers for
specific purpose e.g. hospital management etc. The solution lies in DBMS +
application software.
Searching
the Internet
Internet
is a global information highway constituting computer network that connects
millions of computers around the world for exchanging information. There are
200-300 million documents, doubling each year. Combining multiple search engines
helps in finding the needed information soon. However for specific information,
one could go to specific Database on line through Network. Access to these
databases is provided globally by on line service companies.
Online and Offline Database:
International
Databases for Biomedical information (On Line/ CD-ROM)
1. MEDLARS
(Medical literature analysis and Retrieval systems)
Coverage: from 1966
Provider: US National
Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.
2.
EMBASE
(Formerly Excerpta Medica)
Human
medicine and related disciplines
Coverage : From June 1974
from over 4000 journals
Provider : Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam.
3.
Life Science collection (Life
sciences)
Coverage: from 1978 from
more than 5000 journals.
Provider: Cambridge
Scientific abstracts, Bethesda.
4.
Biosis Previews
(Life Sciences)
Coverage: from 1969
Provider: Biosis,
Philadelphia.
5.Merck
index online (drug data &uses)
Coverage:
from late 19th century.
Provider:
Merck and co.Inc. NJ. USA.
6.CD-ROM
DATABASE (Biotechnology Abstracts)
(Molecular Biology and
Genetics)
Coverage
: covers agricultural products and applications. Both plants and animals food
industry, environmental developments, genetic engineering (micro organisms,
plants, animals).
Dialog Medical
Connection (DMC)
After
contract, password and user no. are assigned to every user. This connection
provides access to all databases in biomedical sciences hosted by DIALOG.
Advantages
of CD-ROM /Offline Database:
1. Provides information to users sitting at a PC
2. Provides instant access to huge amount of information
3. Allows access to vast databanks from a simple PC
4. One CD-ROM stores up to 600MB of text or data which is
equivalent to 2.5 to 3 lakhs A4 size papers
5. User has enormous database at his/her fingertips with
no communication charges, no queues for computer access and no time spent
searching through libraries, files
of archives
6. Most CD-ROM DBs or updated monthly, quarterly or annual
basis
Types
of Databases on CD-ROM (Offline) :
1. Bibliographic- journals, articles, books, reports, conference
proceedings
2. Full text- entire article of journal, report, conference
proceedings, book chapter & entire books
3. Factual/statistical- encyclopedias, directories, dictionaries, weather
report, maps, gene sequences, standards, company products, and process.
E-Mail:contact-India@dialog.com
DBs
in the field of Biomedicine & health sciences (available with Medical
Informatics & Telemedicine of NIC)
1.
Medline:
NLM-USA bibliographic database
Covers 3800 core biomedical journals from 70 countries
3 lakh references are added annually
Updated
weekly with app. 30,000 citations during month
Vast storehouse of vital bibliographic biomedical
information consisting of 9
million references
international nursing index, Veterinary medicine & the preclinical science
Covers years 1966 to current
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
Ovid
Official publisher of
Medline Database produced by National Library of Medicine, USA.
Marketed by VANS Information & Investor Services Ltd., Delhi
Address: Vans Information
Ltd., 35 C Popular Press Building, Pt. M.M. Malviya Marg, Tardeo, Mumbai - 400
034
http//www.ovid.com
Silverplatter
Proquest Medical Library on
CD (Medline
Database) is prepared by
SilverPlatter Information Ltd., London. Marketed
by Informatics (India) Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore
Address : Silverplatter
Informatics(India) Pvt. Ltd., 337 Sampige Road, ‘Karuna Complex’, 3rd
Floor, P.B. No. 360 Malleswaram, Banglore –560 003. INDIA.
http://www.silverplatter.com
2.
Adonis
Document
delivery service
3.
AMED Allied and Complementary Medicine
Covers 400 journals related
to complementary and allied medicine Subjects journals include acupuncture,
terminal care, symptom control, osteopathy, Chinese medicine, homeopathy,
rehabilitation, occupational therapy, chiroparactic, holistic treatments and
poditary.
4.
Drug Information Full-text/IPA:
Full-text
with International Pharmaceutical Abstracts.
Information covered includes all information on
drugs, ethics, healthcare, pharmacology side effect and toxicology.
5.
Drugdex
Provides comprehensive monographs on over 1400
drugs by trade name, generic name, and adverse effects
Contains information on dosage, pharmacokinetics,
cautions, interactions,and clinical applications
Comparative drug efficacy is also covered.
6.
Pascal Biomed
Serves
as a complement to the MEDLINE database, with special emphasis on European
literature.
Has
over 3 million references to all major international journals, reports and
conference proceedings On Internet.
7.
IndMED ( A bibliographic database
of Indian Biomedical Research)
Developed
by Indian MEDLARS Centre
Covers 67 journals indexed
at IMC, TRC, KAMIO and NIMHANS starting from 97 (www.http://indmed.delhi.nic.in)
8. Biomed (covers
170 biological & Medical journals)
(biomednet.com; bmn.com)
9. Medscape
(Different
medicine disciplines / diseases)
(medscape.com)
10. Review articles on Medicine & Internet
1. Medicine and
the Internet: A survey of the Information highway by Indrajit et
al (National Medical Journal of India, Vol 13: 93, 2000).
The Internet has
approximately 800 million web pages at the moment,
with an extraordinary
tendency to grow further. Of these it has been estimated that there are more
than a million
websites dealing with medicine.
2. Medline by
Indrajit (National Medical Journal of India,
Vol 14: 50, 2001).
3. Searching
medline effectively by N. Roy & U. Suri.(National Medical Journal
of
India, Vol 14: 106, 2001).
The
popular Medical websites are:
1. Galaxy Guide to Medical Topics at
http://galaxy.einet.net/galaxy/medicine.html
2. Lancet Links at http://www.thelancet.com/newlancet/any/arcade/links.html
3. Medical Student Links at http://som.flinders.edu.au/FUSA/FMSS/NAMSA/Medicine.html
4. Internet Medical Search Guide at
http:/www.pcom.edu/library/clinical.htm
5. Disease Links at http://www2.mc.duke.edu/depts/ptot/Current-Site/Links/JC-Bookmarks.html
Medical
News Groups:
1. Medical News group database at http://www.sciencekomm.at/advice/lists.html
2. Hopkins University at http://world-health.net/newsgrou.html
3. Med- Info.Com Newsgroup database at http://www.med-info.com/med-newsgroups.html
Continuing
Medical Education (CME) :
1.
CME Medscape List at http://www.medscape.com/home/CMEcenter/CMECenter.html
2. CME Web at http://www.cmeweb.com
3.
CME at http://ahsn.lhsc.on.ca/ce
Tele
Medicine:
1. Telemed Links at http:// www.telemedmag.com/links.shtml
Telemed Today at http://telemedtoday.com
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