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What is Health
Sciences Online (www.hso.info)? (short
version)
Does HSO matter?
Health Sciences Online (www.hso.info) has been called “a visionary
undertaking” (by former CDC Director Jeff Koplan), is expected to “globally
democratize health science knowledge” (by World Bank), and is thought by WHO
“to make a considerable contribution to the advancement of e-learning
worldwide.”
What is HSO?
HSO launches in September 2008 as a virtual learning center with browse and
search functions. HSO provides free, online linkages to a comprehensive
collection of top-quality courses and references in medicine, public health,
pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, basic sciences, and other health sciences
disciplines. These materials are donated, hosted, and maintained by our
distinguished content partners, so quality is maintained, and materials can be
constantly updated.
HSO is a sieve that includes world-class materials (currently numbering
>50,000 resources), hand-selected by clinicians and other experts from
already-existing reliable sources and resource collections. This includes medical
specialty societies, accredited continuing education organizations,
governments, and top-ranked universities such as Columbia, Harvard, Johns
Hopkins, MIT, Penn, and UCSF.
Who has supported HSO?
Founding collaborators for this site include CDC, World Bank, the American
College of Preventive Medicine, and the University of British Columbia. HSO is
non-profit; funding has been obtained from the Canadian and British Columbian
governments, the World Health Organization, NATO’s Science for Peace Program, the Annenberg
Physician Training Program, the Ulrich and Ruth Frank Foundation for
International Health, and other generous and committed individuals. Health
providers and scientists, in training and in practice, have donated thousands
of hours, identifying and making materials accessible for HSO users.
What problem is HSO addressing?
Health sciences information and training are vital for health and
socioeconomic development, but excellent, free learning resources are difficult
to find. In recent years, information and communication technologies,
particularly the Internet, have been central to remedying this situation. But
there are still significant hurdles to accessing online content. WHO and others
have shown that there is an enormous need to identify selective, current,
accessible online educational and training resources to promote appropriate
care and policies. In our 2007, 11-country pilot, nearly all users indicated
that the HSO website will make their work more effective and productive, help
them learn, and increase their motivation and interest in learning.
What if I find an
error?
Please tell us, and we will thank you. HSO has a small staff and a mighty
mission, and HSO would not exist without many doctors, librarians, public
health specialists, technologists and others volunteering thousands of hours.
Have more questions?
Want to help/collaborate/get our help with using HSO?
Try searching on HSO [click here], or for more information or to
contribute, contact Erica Frank, MD, MPH, HSO Founder/Executive Director, at info@hso.info.