GPs who use the SearchMedica medical search engine can now download a new toolbar, enabling them to search from whatever internet page is online at the time.
The toolbar has been developed in a similar style to the Google toolbar, with GPs able to enter search terms into a box in the toolbar at the top of the page, and be taken instantly to search results.
SearchMedica’s UK director, Lisa Taylor, told EHI Primary Care: “GPs have been involved with the development of SearchMedica from day one and they have suggested that a toolbar will be handy for gaining quick and efficient access to search results.
“Our developers have built a toolbar that not only provides this, but also provides filters so GPs can choose exactly which results they want to see before they hit Go.”
All search options are incorporated, including the ability to select which areas of the web to search, such as NHS-only sites or sites specifically chosen by GPs, giving quick access to trusted and authoritative medical information.
In addition, the toolbar enables users to search for information from Spain, France and the USA using local language searching via the toolbar’s multi-language functionality.
Taylor added: “The drop down menu incorporates the filters that are found on the SearchMedica home page so users can choose what they look at being UK content only or NHS sites only, sites trusted by super-users or any site applicable from the Web.
“GPs are time starved and any tool to save time and get more information faster is welcomed by them, hence the introduction of the toolbar.”
The toolbar is initially being piloted by the search engine’s super-users and will be rolled out to all users later this year through an awareness campaign. So far they have had over 100 downloads and over 300 searches.
Taylor said: “Each of our features and tools are specifically designed to facilitate searching for medical information, helping GPs and other healthcare professionals make accurate diagnoses and implement appropriate treatment. Using the new toolbar, professionals can now perform a search more quickly and easily.
“The new toolbar is one of a series of exciting new technical developments for SearchMedica including the addition of a dedicated GPnotebook section to the results page, giving users direct access to GPnotebook content within SearchMedica.”
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