A COMPARISON OF HEALTH INFORMATION ON FLORIDA FREE-NETS

In the popular rush to provide electronic consumer health information, particularly via the Internet, one system has been largely overlooked -the free-net. Free-nets are often text-based systems from which users choose topics from ''menus.'' While the World Wide Web can be more gr aphically appealing, it can also be overwhelming. Medical information resources are available to diverse populations through free-nets, whic h are convenient, free services. The amount of information and range o f topics they offer are vast. A study of Florida's free-nets during a six-month period involved five free-net systems. Survey items included user demographics, interlibrary loan services, attitudes toward provi ding medical advice, and availability of medical librarian expertise. Comparisons include the number of user queries on medical and health-r elated free-net menus, user-friendliness, and the type of health infor mation provided.