Consumer Reports Launches New Information Hubs
To help educate patients about the right tests and treatments for them, Consumer Reports Health recently launched two new online information hubs. These hubs, one on safe pregnancy and one on medical tests before surgery, were created to help patients easily find information on specific health topics in one centralized location and include many Choosing Wisely® materials.
The compilation of resources by topic enables health care consumers – and their caregivers – to become well-informed on their condition.
“The information is presented in such a way that I can instantly focus on topics that are of interest to me and my family,” said Jean Hanvik, a patient from Minnesota. “They have helped me make decisions about care I do – and do not – need.”
The hubs highlight information created in partnership with medical specialty societies participating in the Choosing Wisely campaign and include brochures, posters, videos, and Consumer Reports’ magazine articles.
The hub focusing on safe pregnancy provides information on what to do – and not do – to ensure the health of the mother and her baby. It also links to an exclusive Consumer Reports article called The Great Fish Debate, which firmly recommends avoiding all tuna, a fish known to contain mercury, while pregnant.
Additional topics on the safe pregnancy hub include:
- 10 Things to Do During Pregnancy and Labor
- 10 Things to Reject in the Delivery Room
- 10 Over-the-Counter Drugs to Avoid During Pregnancy
- What Hospitals Don’t Want You to Know About C-sections
Another new hub offers information on what medical tests patients may need – and may not need – before surgery. Topic areas on this hub include:
- Chest X-rays Before Surgery
- Lab Tests Before Surgery
- Medical Tests Before Eye Surgery
- 5 Questions to Ask About Medical Tests Before You Have Surgery
Later this fall, Consumer Reports will launch a hub focused on caregiving, including issues surrounding palliative and hospice care decisions.
