Doctors and other healthcare professionals use various health-related websites to gather information for patients, expand medical research, find a supportive community, and seek career guidance. In fact, in a recent Sermo poll of over 2,200 physicians, 33% stated they reference a healthcare website daily, and 48% reference them two-three times a week.
Top 3 reasons doctors consult medical websites
When Sermo physicians were asked why they consult websites for doctors, and what the biggest benefit of using medical websites are—this is how they responded:
- 30% Continuing education and refreshing medical school topics
- 28% Staying up to date on global medical news
- 27% Fact-checking, researching and obtaining evidence-based clinical advice and validating your medical decisions
Here’s more of what Sermo physicians have to say about the value of medical websites:
Continuous updating is essential in our career, I use many means to get articles from the last 5 years at least, and now with Sermo I review interesting cases and share my publications with the intention of obtaining opinions and suggestions that are always welcome. (sic)
Clinical websites…are essential tools to keep up with latest guidelines, and obtain quick refresh on medical diagnosis and treatment for common illnesses.
11 of the best medical websites for doctors
Which types of sites are the best healthcare websites for doctors? Survey responses indicate that 51% visit medical journals, 22% use social media sites, and 12% refer to clinical education resources. An additional 9% visit healthcare organizations.
The data above highlights the types of websites doctors visit. But, which specific websites do physicians frequent? According to our recent Sermo survey, the top websites for doctors are:
- 35% PubMed
- 21% UptoDate
- 19% MedScape
- 17% World Health Organization (WHO), National Institute of Health (NIH), American Medical Association (AMA)
Medical websites offer good and quick information for practical use; especially medscape, epocrates, and up-to-date.
Here are the top health web sites doctors and medical professionals can use to gather medical information:
1. PubMed
PubMed is a database that includes over 33 million citations for biomedical literature for your research needs. It is a part of NIH’s National Library of Medicine within the National Center for Biotechnology Information, and one of the best websites for health information.
PubMed’s website allows you to:
- Read the newest research and trending articles. In doing your own research, you need access to the best research out there. With PubMed, students, residents, and practicing physicians can search for and download the articles they need.
- Filter by year or type of article.
- Read abstracts or full text.
- Save citations to a file or email them to yourself.
2. UptoDate
UptoDate is part of Wolters Kluwer, a provider of information, software, and services for clinicians worldwide since 1836. UptoDate provides health education, news, and decision support for medical organizations and individuals worldwide.
UptoDate features:
- The latest health news (including COVID-19 information).
- Evidence-based medicine. UptoDate’s in-house physician editors oversee the recommendations that both practicing physicians and students need to answer their difficult questions.
- Health education galore: training webinars, live online learning, Continuing Medical Education, and a Certified Trainer Program.
3. MedScape
MedScape is one branch of a family of health websites, including WebMD and MedicineNet. Checking MedScape as part of your routine will keep you up to date with breaking medical news of the day. You can customize your newsfeed to your geographical region and read content in five different languages. Articles on over 7,000 diseases and monographs of over 8,000 drugs, supplements, and herbal remedies are at your fingertips with MedScape.
The MedScape app and website offer membership, education, and helpful resources:
- The Continuing Medical Education component helps you log your progress, and the Physician Business Academy offers courses for practicing physicians on topics such as insurance, coding, and telemedicine.
- Membership is free, and you will get access to a community to answer your questions, offer support, and discuss puzzling cases and new treatment options.
- Have a tough question? Type it in Decision Point and get a video answer (with a transcript) for fast answers from a variety of experts.
4. World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization was founded in 1948 as a part of the United Nations. WHO aims to provide universal health care access to all, regardless of age, economic status, or background. WHO directs the global response to worldwide health emergencies, including natural disasters and international conflicts, and works with world governments to provide medical equipment and professionals where they are needed.
WHO’s website includes world news, travel guidance, and more:
- Find the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 here, including treatments, new variants, and worldwide infection rates. This is your go-to resource for the latest vaccines and research.
- Do you have a trip coming up, or do you have patients asking about travel guidance during the pandemic? Search by country or region to get specific health-related strategies, statistics, and comprehensive, up-to-date travel advice. You can find COVID-19 guidance and other relevant health information tailored to the geographic location of your choosing.
- Stay abreast of in-person and virtual events, campaigns, and committee meetings.
- Doctors can click on the Newsroom tab to scan the day’s headlines or quickly search for data, resources, and news about any worldwide health topic.
5. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Institutes of Health is the world’s biggest biomedical research agency. It is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Each of its 27 different Institutes and Centers has a specific research area, such as curing cancer or preventing drug abuse. Over $32 billion in funding goes toward biomedical research through NIH every year.
NIH’s website includes career resources and information crucial for U.S.-based medical professionals:
- Find the latest national health guidance and news, clinical trials, and links to new research programs and agencies. Plus, find jobs at NIH, library and community resources, training opportunities, and links to all its Institutes and Centers.
- Learn how NIH is working to end structural racism within the medical field.
- NIH is one of the go-to websites for doctors to help locate research funding and to learn how to apply for grants.
6. American Medical Association (AMA)
The AMA is the nation’s biggest medical association, connecting almost 200 medical societies and stakeholders. Since its founding in 1847, the American Medical Association has promoted public health, represented physicians in judicial and legislative systems, and trained future health leaders.
AMA’s website provides resources that will help you excel in your medical journey, whether you are a veteran of your field, a resident, or a medical student:
- Becoming a member gives you insurance discounts and access to the JAMA Network (an online audio subscription and print journal).
- Keep up to date with virtual and in-person events.
- AMA is an accredited provider of continuing medical education.
- Information available for members and non-members includes COVID-19 updates, health care advocacy resources, tips for residents and students, and resources for managing your practice and delivering the best possible care.
7. ClinicalKey
ClinicalKey is run by Elsevier, a global health research and online analytics hub. ClinicalKey is an online database you can use to search journals, drugs, treatments, and more. Use information on ClinicalKey to help your patients in a timely manner.
ClinicalKey’s content can help validate your medical choices or help you reach a diagnosis:
- Have a complex question and not a lot of time? Find answers quickly in the form of video or written word explanations.
- News within your speciality and the medical field as a whole, including COVID-19 updates.
- Resources are helpful for medical librarians, clinicians looking to help patients or student research.
- ClinicalKey offers institution-based subscriptions tailored to students, nurses, and pharmacology professionals. Individual subscriptions can be tailored to a variety of specialties, from dermatology to pediatrics.
8. Epocrates
Since 1998, Epocrates has provided up-to-date information to clinicians. Over a million users benefit from the pill identification feature, pediatric dosing information, and COVID-19 updates.
Their medical information team compiles the information for you to sift through easily and get the diagnostic information you need.
Epocrates allows for quick, trusted, easily accessible information:
- Save time by downloading the free Epocrates app to have all this information in the palm of your hand.
- Epocrates also allows physicians to check if medicines are compatible with each other simultaneously in the body and confirm which insurance plans cover which drugs by state.
- A premium content subscription at $16.99 per month includes infection disease treatments, alternative medicines, and more.
9. WebMD
Perhaps the most widely known medical website among the public, WebMD is part of the MedScape network. It can be useful for practicing physicians to supplement their knowledge or to better understand how patients think. Before consulting with their doctors, many patients tend to check their symptoms on WebMD and even self-diagnose. Knowing what patients might be reading before they come in to see you will help you anticipate their questions and concerns.
WebMD includes:
- COVID-19 info, news stories, and blogs on trending topics. Reading the patient-authored blogs will help doctors better understand patients’ experiences and concerns with various conditions.
- A free app for on-the-go medical information.
- Award-winning health journalism, plus community resources, support, and even events.
10. MedicineNet
Also part of the WebMD and MedScape family, MedicineNet provides information about health and wellness, medication, and medical conditions for the public. Founded in 1996, this website aims to educate the public on maintaining health and to empower healthy choices.
MedicineNet primarily educates patients, but doctors will benefit from knowing what kind of medical information patients may be accessing:
- Content is written by practicing physicians. MedicineNet has a peer-reviewed editorial policy.
- Patients have likely done some research on their own about their ailment. Like WebMD, physicians may find this website useful to understand the patient’s mindset.
- MedicineNet was created to address questions that develop after a physician consultation concludes or if a physician is not immediately available to answer a patient’s question.
- Health quizzes and a medical terms dictionary encourage education among patients.
11. Sermo
Looking for more support and real-world experience directly from your medical peers? At Sermo, you’ll experience a community-based knowledge exchange that connects over 1 million physicians from 150+ countries.
Sermo is more than a website for medical professionals: it is a portal for accessing a global community of physicians who can help you answer tough challenges you’re facing, a place to build your professional reputation, and a collection of opportunities for doctors to earn extra income. It is a shared space to support and to be supported. After all, “sermo” means “talk” in Latin!
Sermo is the number one social network for doctors—and it provides many benefits to members:
- Improve your practice by getting advice from your peers.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest medical news and information.
- Share your questions, experiences, and observations with the 24/7 worldwide community of medical professionals.
- Learn about any drug from peer ratings. Sermo has the world’s biggest database for physician drug ratings—featuring over one million reviews, and counting. Each drug is rated for efficacy, safety, tolerability, accessibility and adherence.
- Take continuing medical education courses.
- Earn money for participating in medical research studies and contributing to the community.
- Connect with other doctors in a stress-free, patient-free environment. Our free app on iOS or Android promotes learning and discussion.
I have been a member of SERMO for a few long years – during this time, I made more friends, I learned a lot from clinical cases, I got up to date with new medical information, and of course, I made money doing surveys …….a lot.
Conclusion
These websites for healthcare professionals will help you access the ever-changing medical landscape, as well as the peer-to-peer connections you seek.
If you’re looking for a social outlet with clinicians who understand your position and a platform to discuss the latest news and get second opinions on diagnoses and treatments—visit Sermo today.
It is your job to support the patient. Let Sermo support you. Sign up to create your account for free and join the future of medical networking.
