Resources for Patients
Patient Resource Links
One of the challenges you may face as a person with a chronic disease is understanding the medical terminology related to your illness. You may need to be familiar with certain terms and definitions in order to discuss your condition with your doctor.
There are many sources of medical information available on the Internet; some are from reputable, reliable sources, some are not. The following resources provide a wide range of medical information and are maintained by reputable organizations.
General Purpose
Information on finding a general practitioner can be located on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC website at https://www.cpsbc.ca/cps/physician_directory/search.do. For other primary health care links, visit Key Links.
BC HealthGuide Program
The BC HealthGuide Program, is a self-care program funded by the Ministry of Health to provide health information and advice to every BC citizen wherever they live, whenever they need it. The Program has three integrated components to help you and your family make wise health decisions, including when to see a doctor, how to manage symptoms and conditions, home treatments and resources, and tips and tools for healthy living. The components are the BC NurseLine, the BC HealthGuide Handbook, and BC HealthGuide OnLine.
BC HealthGuide OnLine has a world of health information just a click away, through the award-winning Healthwise Knowledgebase®. Over 2500 detailed symptom and condition-based topics are available; including topic overviews, check your symptoms, when to see a doctor, home treatments, and tips and tools for healthy living. Information specific to BC is also available, including the BC HealthFiles.
BC NurseLine is a confidential health information and advice service that puts you in touch by phone with a specially trained registered nurse, any time of the day or night.
BC HealthGuide Handbook has detailed health information and advice on over 190 common symptoms, conditions and diseases to help you take care of yourself and your family.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is implemented throughout BC by the University of Victoria Centre on Aging, with assistance from Health Canada through the Primary Health Care Transition Fund.
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is provided through teams of trained volunteers who, themselves, have a chronic illness. In the program, participants get new information, learn new skills and abilities, and develop new ways to manage and cope with chronic conditions. Participants give and receive support from others who are experiencing similar health conditions, and realize they are not alone - that the difficulties they are experiencing are also experienced by others.
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program teaches skills in the following areas:
- developing a suitable exercise program
- cognitive symptom management
- nutrition management
- breathing exercises
- problem solving
- use of medication
- communicating with family, friends and health care providers
- dealing with emotions such as anger and depression
Canadian Health Network
The Canadian Health Network is Canada's national health information network. Start your search here for health information developed by leading Canadian health organizations and international health information providers.
National Institutes of Health (US)
This comprehensive site provides information about specific health conditions, drug information, health literature and links to the National Library of Medicine.
Diet and Nutrition
Dial-a-Dietitian
Dial-A-Dietitian is a free nutrition information line for BC residents. It specializes in easy-to-use nutrition information for self-care, based on current scientific sources. Dietitians provide brief nutrition consultation by phone. This is an excellent source of information about special diets for people with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease.
Exercise
ActNow BC
ActNow! BC combines cross-government and community-based approaches to address common chronic disease risk factors through programs and initiatives that support healthier eating, physical activity, ending tobacco use and promoting healthy choices during pregnancy.
Canada's Physical Activity Web site
Health Canada's online guide is designed to help you make wise choices about physical activity that will improve your health, help prevent disease, and allow you to get the most out of life. If you think your congestive heart failure might prevent you from becoming more active, check out the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.
Stop Smoking
QuitNow.ca
An Internet-based quit smoking service available free-of-charge to all British Columbians. Quitnow.ca™ is available anytime and creates a personal program for the smoker, depending upon where that person is in their quit attempt.
QuitNow by phone: 1-877-455-2233
A confidential tobacco cessation helpline available free-of-charge to residents of British Columbia. The service is open 7 days a week 24 hours a day so that callers can seek help when they need it most.
BC Tobacco Reduction and Control
Visit this site for information about tobacco and smoking, and links to Regional Tobacco Reduction Coordinators to find out what local programs are available. The site includes links to What is in Cigarettes?
Health Canada: Go Smoke Free!
Health Canada has an online smoking cessation help site called Quitting that includes a free, quit-smoking e-mail service that will support you through the process, one day at a time.
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