Health Resources Online

Some examples of good online ideas for reaching men - real services rather than just gimmicks.

Your Prostate

This is just the sort of site men would like to see more of. A simple idea that meets a big need.

If peeing is no longer easy – trouble starting and stopping, getting up a lot at night, for example – it could be the sign of prostate trouble. So could erection problems. To find out for sure, the European Men’s Health Forum have set up a brand new website – www.yourprostate.eu - answering all your questions. You send an email – anonymously if you like – and a prostate expert will reply personally. Could it be any easier? Even better the questions asked will be used to design prostate information materials that tell men what they want to know not just what doctors think they ought to know.

Man MOT

Man MOT is the UK’s first online surgery set up exclusively for men who lack the time to visit their GP. Man MOT was developed to provide a solution, as a first step, to help men access the healthcare system in a way they may find more comfortable – online, anonymous and confidential. During Men’s Health Week, Man MOT will be open every evening between 6pm and 10pm offering advice on a broad range of health and relationship issues from GPs and guest hosts including sex and relationship expert Tracey Cox. Visit www.manmot.co.uk for an online consultation with a qualified GP.

More about the Man MOT surgery - and a spoof video featuring Wilbert - on the MHF main website.

Relate

The relationship people Relate don't just offer face to face and telephone support for couples and individuals but also online counselling by email - some men might prefer this sort of communication.

Health Talk Online

Developed by the Health Experience Research Group at Oxford University, this unique database features patients talking about their personal experiences. Aimed at patients, their carers, family and friends, doctors, nurses and other health professional, the database currently features over 40 different illnesses and health conditions. There is also Youth Health Talk for younger people.

Patient UK

Commercial site set up by two doctors. Patient information material on dozens of disease and hundreds of support groups.

Microsoft's Health Vault

Like the NHS's Health Space, software giants Microsoft's Health Vault is an online personal health record keeper where you can record and track personalised health/medical information for you and your family.