Need a doctor? Log on to 'rxpinoy.com'

When people look for a physician, they usually ask family, friends or co-workers for suggestions. If nobody can help them, a phone call to a major hospital can sometimes do the trick.

While these methods can yield results, they aren't always enough. The doctors recommended may be too far away, or may not be available at the right time. Or perhaps, asking around would simply turned up no names.

In instances like these, Infomediary Phils. Inc. (Informed) has come up with a simple Internet-based solution - "RxPinoy," an online health directory that provides contact information on doctors and dentists in active practice across the country.

The database is searchable by name, specialty, location, and even by clinic schedule. Anyone with Internet access can simply log on to www.rxpinoy.com to find a physician quickly and conveniently.

And because the Web site relies on advertising for revenue (just like a television program), the directory is available free of charge to both the surfer who accesses it, and the doctor whose basic contact information is included.

Besides the physician database, RxPinoy is also building directories of specialty clinics, group practices, diagnostic labs and other health services, support groups and NGOs, and local medical and dental societies.

Interactive features include weekly quick polls and an upcoming forum on health-related subjects. There are several hyperlinks to Web sites that offer up-to-date health news, and a special section that lists a variety of health Web sites on the Internet. This "Related Links" section is designed to help surfers find objective and relevant and information on topics like breast cancer, asthma, quitting smoking and much more.

The creators of RxPinoy believe that information is one of the most powerful tools in the quest for health, and should be freely available so that people can make intelligent, informed choices about their health.