Abhatoo - Centre Nationale de Documentation

Consumer health information (CHI) systems are becoming a very important tool for health consumers. They "empower consumers to become active, well-informed participants to better manage ther health" (Dr. Koop). This paper first analyses the need for such an information, explaining the fragile balance between physicians, health insurances and patients. The example of MEDLINEplus, the site developed by the National Library of Medecine, is used to present the content of major CHI systems and to characterize their audience. Differences between information servers for health professional and for consumers are discussed.