Abstract

The Australian Virtual Medical Website http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/ was founded by Dr. Dean, a Perth palliative care specialist, and his businessman friend Wayne Hughes. Although it is a website that aims to help patients understand their conditions it also has a physicians-only section that offers access to medically sensitive and industry-sensitive information. The menu options are: “Medical Centres” (listing 19 conditions) and “Resources.” The top menu tabs are designated by “patient types, diseases, drugs, symptoms, treatments, lifestyle, and tools.” The authors state that the “Virtual Medical Centre is Australia’s leading medical information website, which delivers the “latest medical information” written by medical professionals.” Each centre has a medical director who ensures the quality of medical information, and each is assisted by an Advisory Board of medical specialists. Subscription is available for breaking news alerts sent via email. On the right of the home page, be sure to check out “VMC Interactive” http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/videopage.asp that opens a listing of videos and attractive and multifaceted 3D animations.