Searching the Web for Healthcare
Resources: Search Engines, Metasites and Directories
With
the explosive growth in the available information on the Internet, mechanisms to
find documents and content efficiently needed to be developed.The computer code for programming WWW content, HTML, also can be used to
embed information about documents (pages) themselves.This information is referred to as "metadata."Savvy WWW content developers take advantage of the metadata feature to
put in multiple descriptions and keywords related to their homepage and
document(s) included in their site.
Almost simultaneous to the graphical WWW introduction, were the appearance of
"search engines," developed by computer technology vendors.These companies have developed sophisticated mechanisms to review
websites, the type of content posted, and the content itself.Now these vendors, each with their own proprietary software, automate the
review of millions of documents, categorize and create indexes for end users to
query.The end user can enter a
keyword or phrase and then view all "HTML" documents the search engine has
referenced, and based on the author/web-developer of the content, also see a
description of the document (page). HTML searching is two-dimensional at
this time, with results of searching indicating the document and the content of
the document (if indexed by the search engine).Additionally, web content developers may add their own "search"
functionality by indexing their own sites.Typically, an end-user will note a search feature on a website’s homepage
if incorporated.Many of the vendors who developed the WWW search engines now
have marketed proprietary software for webmasters to use to index their own
sites.Another mechanism for
searching is use of web-sites that are "directories" of a subject matter, where
someone else has compiled lists and links to related web resources.
In the
future, the web will allow for more three-dimensional searching (contextual),
such as with the capabilities of SGML (standard generic markup language), the
grandfather of HTML, as content providers and browsers can be made capable to
interpret this format.Presently,
when one searches for content using a "search engine," there needs to be a
realization that the results returned will be dependent on how authors and
search engines have included, referenced, and/or indexed "metadata" about a site
or document(s) in a site.A balance
between too narrow of search parameters (keywords) and too broad of search must
be achieved by the user to acquire meaningful results.
The following is a listing of some common sites with search
engines which can assist an Internet user with locating information of interest.
Profusion®
This site provides the ability to do subject and web-site specific searches
with multiple search engines simultaneously.The search results returned with the Profusion query tool will display
which of the major search engines each resultant URL was obtained from.12
http://www.profusion.com
Alta Vista®
Alta Vista is a keyword search engine which also searches full text and is
very extensive and inclusive.Its
strength is literal searching. Incorrect use of the engine will render
large numbers of obscure hits.
This is the engine to use if you are looking for the obscure!13
http://www.altavista.digital.com
Excite®
Excite is a keyword and non-coordinated subject search methodology engine.It uses full text search of over 50 million documents.Both literal and concept searches are supported, and the site is easy
to use.14http://www.excite.com
HotBot®
HotBot is another keyword and non-coordinated subject search engine that
searches full text for over 54 million documents.Queries are constructed effectively in common language rather than
needing to use more complex operators for effective output.http://www.hotbot.com
All major "search engines"
provide for general searching as well as categorization for searching of which
health related sites are a major subcategory.These sites can be "drilled down" (have direct hyperlink that one
"clicks" on) or searched via the company's engine, based on how they have
indexed sites and the request of the user.Excite® also has an online health encyclopedia link.HotBot® lists "Dentistry" as a major sub-category of Health
Resources.15
Directories provide a
listing (list of lists) of related websites with hyperlinks which are intended
to be as comprehensive as possible.
There is no standard for categorizing sites, so each directory will organize
hyperlinks differently.
Hardin Meta Directory of
Health Sources
This site is well maintained and links will be made to specific sections of
listed sites to eliminate unnecessary drill-downs (sorting through a site).Many of the lists are developed by experts from the specific field, such
as the directories for dentistry listed below.
http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/index.html
Internet Dentistry Resources
The site is maintained by a team at the University of Iowa, School of Dentistry.This list breaks content into educational, commercial, vendors and
governmental subcategorizes including most major dental manufacturers.A comprehensive list of dental journals with links, several of which are
"online" journals, is also a component of this directory.17
http://indy.radiology.uiowa.edu/Beyond/Dentistry/sites.html
Dental Related Internet
Resources
This site contains a comprehensive list of all dental schools listed by state,
international schools listed alphabetically by country, dental training
programs, links to the many major dental organizations, a directory of state
dental societies and international associations, and oral healthcare products.The site also has links to the educational resources, a number of
individual dental offices (listed by state), dental practice management and
clinical management software companies, dental labs, equipment and supply
vendors, and office designers.Also
linked are distributors of office related supplies, including imaging and
computer equipment companies, clinical information systems vendors, dental
office sales, and several marketing, legal and malpractice groups.Other links include "continuing education," with several links to
individual courses, and subscriptions to dental related list-servs (e-mail
group) classified by subject area.18
http://www.dental-resources.com
Academy of General Dentistry
In addition to providing services for members such as online access to
AGD Journal articles, chat rooms,
online continuing education (CE) and tracking CE, the site also has links to
dental specialist academies.The
site provides information of interest for dental consumers.19http://www.agd.org
American Dental Association
Touted as the Association’s online service, the homepage has several major paths
such as: ADA Publications, including online parts of the Association’s
Journal; Recent News Updates, now including several online videos; and Dental
Practice Issues, which now post standards for "Choosing a Practice Management
System" report.An "ADA Members
only" section has a warehouse of articles from several publications intended for
its members and access to other Association services such as insurance programs.There is another button for the Dental Societies, that allows one to
access both state and local societies, and a listing of Dental Schools with
addresses (although one might find the links at the American Association of
Dental Schoolseasier to use online
for immediate access to dental school’s websites).20The ADA Shopping Mall has access to products and services
offered including links to an online catalog of printed material sold by the
ADA, a listing of products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, and the ADA Library
Service.The Consumer Information
section provides universal access to ADA statements on topics of public concern
such as use of amalgam and fluoride as well as patient education material
(bleaching, sealants/caries prevention, practice guidelines, and other accepted
dental therapies).20http://www.ada.org
The American Dental
Education Association
This is an excellent vehicle for finding information about dental schools in the
United States and Canada.The site
has a wealth of information such as directories, activities of the organization,
and admissions procedures for persons interested in a career in dentistry.21http://www.adea.org
Dental Manufacturers of
America
This is a valuable resource for members of this group for activities, meetings
and issues impacting manufacturers of dental related products.For the oral healthcare provider, the section for products
via a link on the sites homepage may be beneficial when doing product research,
making decisions, or contacting vendors about purchases of dental equipment and
supplies.22http://www.dmanews.org
Crest®
Dental ResourceNet
This site is dynamically renovated via a Peer Review Board and feedback from
users.A library of documents,
including patient education information that is one of the most extensive online
resources, has been made available to the dental profession.
Dental ResourceNet has made a good start at including a broad-spectrum of
content such as:the online dental
hygienists publication and abstracts of articles from multiple dental-related
journals indexed by subject.These
include: computers in dental practice, management, cosmetic dentistry,
topics in internal medicine, dental management of medically compromised
patients, and abstracts of recently reported P&G oral healthcare research.
There is also a major
subcategory for "Useful Sites," which has links to most major specialty
organizations.Another interesting
function of this site is an interactive "Calendar" for conferences and events,
which can be sorted by city and state or range of dates.The query also provides a short description of the events. It is not an
all-inclusive list, but its functionality is novel.The site also has several modular units for continuing education for
dentists and hygienist, with about a half dozen courses available for each, and
a database of CE requirements for each state.Under the "Practice Management" section, multiple articles related to
communications skills can be helpful as a resource to the dental team.23
http://www.dentalcare.com
The American Dental
Hygienists' Association
This is the largest organization representing "dental hygienists.” This
Internet site posts career information, oral healthcare instructions and tips (a
good resource for patient oral hygiene education), in addition to resources for
members such as the Association's journal and meeting schedules.24http://www.adha.org
With
the explosive growth in the available information on the Internet, mechanisms to
find documents and content efficiently needed to be developed.
The computer code for programming WWW content, HTML, also can be used to
embed information about documents (pages) themselves.
This information is referred to as "metadata."
Savvy WWW content developers take advantage of the metadata feature to
put in multiple descriptions and keywords related to their homepage and
document(s) included in their site.
Almost simultaneous to the graphical WWW introduction, were the appearance of
"search engines," developed by computer technology vendors.
These companies have developed sophisticated mechanisms to review
websites, the type of content posted, and the content itself.
Now these vendors, each with their own proprietary software, automate the
review of millions of documents, categorize and create indexes for end users to
query. The end user can enter a
keyword or phrase and then view all "HTML" documents the search engine has
referenced, and based on the author/web-developer of the content, also see a
description of the document (page). HTML searching is two-dimensional at
this time, with results of searching indicating the document and the content of
the document (if indexed by the search engine).
Additionally, web content developers may add their own "search"
functionality by indexing their own sites.
Typically, an end-user will note a search feature on a website’s homepage
if incorporated. Many of the vendors who developed the WWW search engines now
have marketed proprietary software for webmasters to use to index their own
sites. Another mechanism for
searching is use of web-sites that are "directories" of a subject matter, where
someone else has compiled lists and links to related web resources.
