Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

The Internet and the Information Age promise all the data you can take, but fall short when it comes to helping you understand it all. If you've decided to learn more about your health, the language of medicine can be a daunting obstacle. Webster's New World Medical Dictionary, created in partnership with MedicineNet.com, is an excellent first reference for nonprofessionals; the thousands of definitions are clearly and precisely written and cross-referenced in plain language. The content is "100 percent doctor-produced" and highly reliable, yet edited well enough that those of us on the other side of the insurance card can grasp the meaning quickly. Whether your kid has a greenstick fracture, you want to find out what's so terrible about tetanus that you need a shot, or your tests came back "WNL," you'll find that a little learning, far from being a dangerous thing, can offer greater peace of mind and help you deal more directly with your health care. The accompanying CD-ROM includes a fully searchable electronic version of the text (great for laptops!) and web links to MedicineNet.com's extensive free information on treatments and drugs. It won't beat seven to nine years of study and training, but Webster's New World Medical Dictionary will help you understand your doctor and your health. --Rob Lightner