Hello all, I have been asked to offer an information session for an upper undergraduate class in Health Communication. I will be meeting with the professor later this week but was hoping I could get some input from the collective background in 'Medlib land.' While I have some knowledge of pt ed/ design issues/ consumer health / instruction, etc this seems to go beyond all these areas. To quote the professor, it "is the class where these future health educators learn the nuts and bolts of their trade that is making brochures, newsletters, posterboards, videos, and in general learn how to develop and prepare health education materials. Obviously, to do so they need to research a health topic but also find other materials that have been developed on the same topic." She wants the class to encompass finding health information using some trad databases but mainly what they can find when they get out of school - eg. using the public library, how health education organizations such as SOPHE, APHA, and Kaiser Family Foundation will be able to help them in developing materials, and so on. I have found a couple helpful books, performed a lit search, and checked the Medlib archives, but am still uncertain of what the students might expect from such organizations. Again, I have come across some terrific websites with various examples of health ed materials but do any of you know of a CLEARINGHOUSE of such information? Perhaps you could list a couple of the favourite sources your patient educators/social workers/librarians, etc. use. I remember a program in use at a hospital I did an internship at for checking the reading levels of text and thought there was a similar thread in Medlib but did not have much luck finding it. Do your organizations use such a program? It is a pretty small class and we have as long as I want (up to 3 hours). The students may work in all areas of health - from hospitals to solo businesses to clinics to ... so I would love input from all points of view and experiences. Have any of you taught similar courses? I realize everyone is busy but any input would be GREATLY appreciated and I can summarize for the list if there is a demand. This new class may even turn into a twice-yearly offering if I do a good job. As a new librarian checking my appointment book for February, I sometimes wonder if I should have spoken up in the meetings with my faculties! Oh well - it's an exciting profession. Cheers, Marilyn --------------------------- Marilyn E. Hall Health Sciences Librarian Phone: (619) 594-5864 San Diego State University Library Fax: (619) 594-0719 5500 Campanile Drive Email: [log in to unmask] San Diego, CA, 92182-8050