By Duke Medicine News and Communications

Durham, N.C. –- Duke University Health System has launched a redesigned and re-tooled Web site (http://DukeHealth.org) to help consumers and patients stay informed and healthy.

DukeHealth.org is an online resource combining a broad range of health content, with information on all hospitals, clinics, physicians and medical services offered through Duke University Health System. At the core of DukeHealth.org is a health information gateway called Health Portal.

Currently, DukeHealth.org has five portals, including heart, cancer, women, children and orthopedics. Online visitors selecting a health portal receive an array of information and resources in one of these areas, such as feature stories on patients and treatments, related news and research generated by Duke, health tips, available clinical trials and a spotlight on a physician who specializes in that area. The new DukeHealth.org also offers extensive drug and herb libraries, as well as a disease encyclopedia with descriptions, treatments and preventive medicine for hundreds of diseases and ailments.

"Duke produces new research, medical innovation and health information continuously, and bringing this level of detailed and continually updated information together provides an intuitive online resource for our patients and community," said Dorothea Bonds, director, Office of Creative Services and Marketing Communications for Duke University Health System.

The new Dukehealth.org is a major component of Duke's information technology agenda, providing patients and the community with better and more personalized access to health information and services via the Internet. The evolution of Dukehealth.org will give patients secured access to their medical records, personalized health progress data, prescribed medications, physician referrals and lab results as well as the ability to request physician appointments online.

"The promise of the Internet for the health care industry has always been about improving the delivery of services through increased and efficient access to information for patients, physicians and administration," said Asif Ahmad, vice president and chief information officer of medical information systems at Duke University Health System. "Dukehealth.org moves us a step closer to creating a complete network of personalized care for our patients where we are not just improving our standard of services but creating an entirely new definition of health care at Duke."