The
integration of all Therapeutic Guidelines titles into a single electronic
product represented a major advance, as eTG complete allows a single
search to cover all 2000-plus clinical topics that are included
in the familiar books.
Production of the integrated product presented significant challenges
to the editorial team, requiring negotiations between the various
writing groups of the individual titles to resolve issues associated
with overlapping content.
However, the resultant cross-fertilisation of ideas and recommendations
proved to be a valuable and enlightening experience, resulting in
an overall improvement of both the book series and the new eTG complete.
Reviewers
of eTG complete have hailed the product as a 'superb tool' and
have proposed it as a 'mandatory resource' for pharmacists.
Several have singled out the index for medications which lists
information on the clinical pharmacology, adverse effects, dosage,
interactions and therapeutic uses of each drug as cited in the
Guidelines, with hyperlinks to related areas across all titles.
One reviewer summarised his comments by saying that the new electronic
format improves access to the information, provides easy searching
capabilities and enables the inclusion of additional material,
such as references, without compromising readability - offering
the same reliable prescribing information in a single easy-to-use
CD-ROM.
eTG complete
is available for stand-alone or networked PC and Mac computers.
It is HTML-based, with the information viewable through an internet
browser - Microsoft Internet Explorer (5 or above) or Netscape
6.2 being recommended for optimal functionality.
System requirements are Windows 95 or newer, a Pentium processor
or higher, 32MB of RAM and 60MB of free hard drive space.
A cut-down demonstration version is viewable from the Therapeutic
Guidelines Limited website at www.tg.com.au
eTG complete
is also available for internet/intranet access.
Many of the state health departments have purchased licences to
provide access for all public health professionals within their
state via the state health internet networks.
As well, a considerable number of community pharmacy practices,
academic departments, medical practices, and private hospitals
have obtained multi-user licences for intranet access.
Therapeutic
Guidelines Limited is a nationally-based, not-for-profit organisation
independent of government and the pharmaceutical industry.
The content for each title reflects an agreed interpretation of
the best available evidence from the current world literature
by Australia's most eminent and respected experts.
The overall aim is to produce a concise, easy-to-use, reliable
source of therapeutic information. Therapeutic Guidelines are
endorsed by numerous government bodies and professional organisations,
as well as major speciality societies and colleges.
With the advent
of the integrated electronic product, many more users are expected
to be tempted to experience the ease of desktop availability of
eTG complete.
The frustration of missing copies of the print versions could
be a thing of the past - and a subscription means not having to
remember to order the latest release!
Therapeutic
Guidelines Limited; Freecall 1800 061 260 or sales@tg.com.au
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