August 7, 2000

When a patient is diagnosed with a disease, he or she may have hundreds of questions. While doctors and other clinicians often are available to answer these questions, there are times when patients and families want more. The Maxwell and Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center at the MGH is where many answers can be found.

"When patients walk into the center, they are immediately greeted by a friendly face," says Sally Millar, RN, director of the center. "The staff and volunteers then assess what the best way for the visitor to learn would be." Among the available resources are books, videos, pamphlets, the Internet and medical journals. There also is a section for children to learn about illness. Anatomical models of the human body are available to help facilitate learning. The center is able to send information through the mail, and patient care units can call for information about specific topics.

According to the center's librarian, Michael O'Connor, visitors have a wide range of needs. "Some just want the answers to a few questions while others want in-depth journal articles that are written on a clinical level," he says.

Millar adds: "Learning is about empowerment. Sometimes a simple definition of a medical term can have significant impact on how a patient faces illness."

The center is located in the Main Corridor and is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6:30 pm, and Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm. For more information, call 724-7352 or visit www.mgh.harvard.edu/depts/pflc/home1.htm.