Patient information publications delivered through new media such as DVDs and websites have strongly featured in the results of the British Medical Association’s annual medical book competition.

The BMA Patient Information Website Award was given to Aidsmap in a ceremony at BMA House on Monday. The site offers news and medical advice to patients with HIV/AIDS as well as clinicians and was praised for its combination of basic and advanced advice in an accessible and constantly updated format.

Caspar Thommson, director of NAM, the charity that runs Aidsmap, said: "We are delighted that our website has won this award. Aidsmap.com is a crucial part of our work. It provides up-to-date, clear and comprehensive information on HIV and AIDS and ensures the information NAM produces is freely available 24 hours a day to anyone who needs it.

"This makes it one of the most comprehensive and reliable ranges of HIV patient information available on the web."

Aidsmap is available in five languages – Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, French and English – and features a large mixture of news, journal updates and reports. The site also features comprehensive advice on living with HIV and links to organisations and articles on prevention.

Other winners included the recipient of a new award for patient information in an electronic format, a DVD entitled ‘A Parents’ Guide To Clubfoot – The Ponseti Method’, produced by C-Pro Direct, Steps, Both Feet Forward and Booth Hall Children’s Hospital in Manchester.

One reviewer said of the resource: "I envisage that it will go a long way to reassuring parents about this condition."

Runners-up for the Patient Information Award included Breast Cancer Care, Baby Centre, Click4tic and Vive la Difference from the Terrence Higgins Trust.

A total of 88 prizes (25 first prizes, 54 highly commended prizes, and nine commended prizes) were awarded. Sir David Carter, chair of The Health Foundation, presented the awards.

Links

BMA Medical Book Competition Winners