Resource Links
Australasian Cochrane Centre
The Australasian Cochrane Centre co-ordinates activities of the Cochrane Collaboration in Australia and the wider region, principally by providing training and support to authors of Cochrane reviews, working with policy makers, advocating on behalf of the Collaboration regionally, and promoting the use and uptake of The Cochrane Library. The Centre works in partnership with its branches in Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.
www.cochrane.org.au
The Cochrane Collaboration and the Cochrane Library
Have you ever been to the doctor and been confronted with a treatment you knew nothing about and an explanation that left you just as confused? If so, please consider exploring the Cochrane Library, a virtual library with a database of over 4,500 health treatment reviews covering hundreds of medical conditions including many types of arthritis and soft tissue disorders.
To read the entire article click here
Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal
Has been developed to help Australian clinicians and policy-makers access high quality, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines via a single entry point.
This Portal is an initiative of the National Institute of Clinical Studies, an institute of the Australian Government's National Health and Medical Research Council as part of our mandate to build a healthier Australia.
www.clinicalguidelines.gov.au
Australian Association of Occupational Therapists
The goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. This site also features a find-an-OT service:
www.ausot.com.au
Australian Orthopaedic Association
Orthopeadics - including joint replacement - explained by surgeons:
www.aoa.org.au
Australian Physiotherapy Association
Read how physiotherapy can help people with arthritis. This site will help you find a physio:
www.physiotherapy.asn.au
Australian Rheumatology Association
Here's where you'll find an arthritis medical specialist:
www.rheumatology.org.au
Medicine Information Sheets
The development of the Medicine Information Sheets has been a collaborative effort between many members of the ARA in consultation with Arthritis Australia and Communicating for Health, Victoria. They have recently been extensively revised using feedback from patients focus groups and new information.
www.rheumatology.org.au/community/PatientMedicineInformation.asp
Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD)
ARAD is a national Australian database which collects important health information from individuals with inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
The aim of ARAD is to determine the effectiveness and safety of the new biological drugs used to treat inflammatory arthritis.
www.arad.org.au
The Australian Sjogren's Syndrome Association Inc (TASSA)
One of the major support points for Sjogren's sufferers all over the country
www.sjogrens.org.au
Be wise with medicines
Click the link to download a 16 page guide:
www.health.gov.au
Beyondblue
beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia.
www.beyondblue.org.au
Carers Australia
Information and advocacy for people who provide support to children or adults who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged:
www.carersaustralia.com.au
Centrelink
Find out about Commonwealth benefits to which you may be entitled:
www.centrelink.gov.au
Consumer Health Forum
The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) is the national peak body representing the interests of Australian healthcare consumers. CHF works to achieve safe, quality, timely healthcare for all Australians, supported by accessible health information and systems.
www.chf.org.au
Dietary guidelines for all Australians
Links to download a range of information sheets and booklets from the National Health and Medical Research Council:
www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/dietsyn.htm
Europe: paediatric rheumatology
This is the home of PRINTO, the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society:
www.printo.it/pediatric-rheumatology
Findapharmacy
One of the most recent tools developed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is - Find a Pharmacy.
This enables anyone with access to the internet to locate their closest pharmacy. The basic search tool can be used to enter your address, suburb and state. Find a pharmacy will locate your nearest pharmacy, giving you directions using Google maps.
It also allows you to search by opening hours, services provided and languages spoken. For these options, you will need to use the advanced search option.
www.findapharmacy.com.au
HealthiNation
Arthritis and related videos.
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What is arthritis
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Types of arthritis
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Preventing and treating arthritis
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Coping with arthritis
www.healthination.com/Videos/Arthritis
HealthInsite
Healthinsite is a gateway to quality health information for all Australians. It provides links to over 17,000 resources on the websites of over 80 of Australia's trusted information organisations. It aims to improve the health of Australians by providing easy access to reliable health information.
www.healthinsite.gov.au
Health Matters: ABC radio and TV
Health Matters is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's online gateway to health. Here you'll find original material about issues and conditions, as well as health news and transcripts from ABC Radio, ABC TV, and other areas of ABC Online:
abc.net.au/health
Healthy Weight
Losing just a few kilos can ease the symptoms of some forms of arthritits such as osteoarthritis. Healthy Weight is hosted by the Department of Health and Ageing:
www.healthyactive.gov.au/internet/healthyactive/publishing.nsf/Content/healthyweight
Independent Living Centres Australia
Information about products and services to help people remain independent and improve their quality of life.
www.ilcaustralia.org.au
Kids Help Line
Kids Help Line is a free and confidential, telephone counselling service for 5 to 18 year olds:
www.kidshelp.com.au
Livewire
Livewire, a subsidiary of the Children's Starlight Foundation, has created an online community for families affected by a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability. Focusing on the estimated 450,000 children and young people aged over 10 and under 21 years, Livewire now has over 6,000 members including parents and the siblings of the affected members.
www.livewire.org.au
Medical Media Group Pty Ltd
Medical Media is Australia's first ambient information channel designed exclusively for health professionals:
www.medicalmedia.com.au/
Medicare
Comprehensive guide to what federally-funded health services are available under the Medicare scheme:
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
Medimate
Medimate helps you to find, understand and use information about medicines:
www.medimate.org.au
MyDr
myDr.com.au is a comprehensive Australian consumer health site with free information for patients, covering a wide variety of diseases and conditions including arthritis, tests and treatments, health and fitness issues and medicines.
www.mydr.com.au
National Health Service Directory (NHSD)
The National Health Services Directory (NHSD) is a convenient and accessible new resource. It builds on and consolidates some existing regional healthcare directories to provide detailed information on available health related services to anyone with internet access.
The directory provides access to reliable information, and will assist you to choose and connect with the most appropriate health services for your current needs.
www.nhsd.com.au
NPS - Better choices, better health
Independent, not-for-profit and evidence based NPS, has many ways to help you make better decisions about your medicines and any medical tests you may need.
They are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
NPS are preparing to launch an exciting campaign this year urging consumers to 'be medicinewise' - to ask "why" before taking a medicine and to use this information to make better decisions with regard to their health.
www.nps.org.au
Osteoporosis Australia
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle, leading to a higher risk of fractures - breaks or cracks - than normal bone. Osteoporosis Australia is closely aligned with Arthritis Australia in every state and territory:
www.osteoporosis.org.au
Rheumatology Health Professionals Association
The Rheumatology Health Professionals Association formed in Australia in 1983 to provide a representative body for health professionals working with people with arthritis:
www.ausrhpa.com
SANE Australia
SANE Australia is an independent national charity helping people affected by mental illness through campaigning, education and research. It operates a free helpline; call 1800 18 SANE.
www.sane.org
The Shed online
The Shed Online is a place for men to socialise, network, make friends and share skills. It aims to recreate the atmosphere of “real life” Men Sheds – a safe space where men can feel confident to discuss and exchange information. The Shed Online aims to foster a sense of community and build men’s social networks. The Shed Online offers a range of project ideas, gardening tips, cooking demos, movie reviews, health information, news and events.
www.theshedonline.org.au
State and territory government services
Use this portal to find out about assistance that could be offered by state and territory departments of eg: ageing, disability, education, health, and transport. Call you local arthritis office on 1800 011 041.
www.gov.au
Canada: Arthritis Society
The Arthritis Society is Canada's only not-for-profit organisation devoted solely to funding and promoting arthritis research, programs and patient care:
www.arthritis.ca
NZ: Arthritis New Zealand
Did you know that more than half a million New Zealanders will have arthritis in their lifetime?
www.arthritis.org.nz
UK: Arthritis Care
The UK charity and voluntary organisation that provides information and support for people with all types of arthritis:
www.arthritiscare.org.uk
USA: Arthritis Foundation
Everything to do with arthritis seems to be covered on this comprehensive site from the American not-for-profit organisation:
www.arthritis.org
Reviwed and updated April 2013
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