Our Commitment to Evidence-Based Medicine

StayWell Custom Communications is exclusively dedicated to developing health communication solutions that are evidence-based, URAC accredited, easy to understand and behavior-change focused.

StayWell content is updated as necessitated by medical advances.  For example, health news is published daily, drug information is updated on an ongoing basis, new drugs are added quarterly, and content that is affected by significant new medical knowledge (e.g., hormone replacement therapy) is updated expediently. Content that encompasses medical specialties that change quickly, such as heart disease, diabetes, nutrition and cancer, is reviewed annually. The interactive tools--all calculators and condition-related risk assessments as well as quizzes relating to specific health topics (smoking, weight loss, exercise, immunizations and screenings, pregnancy, stress, depression, and substance and alcohol use)--are also reviewed annually. Other content is reviewed as appropriate when medical advances or new guidelines arise.

To support its commitment to high standards of accuracy and currency, StayWell makes a significant investment annually on medical review.

StayWell's reviewers  -- all specialists in their fields -- are charged to assure that the content is evidence-based and that recommendations made on a particular topic are consistent across all content on that topic.

To ensure accurate and accessible content, StayWell has an in-house team of:

• Product editors

• Project managers

• Writers

• Designers

• Medical illustrators

• Medical editors

• Developmental editors

• Research librarians

• Spanish translators

StayWell uses outside medical experts as consultants to act as the voice of their peers to ensure scientific accuracy, as well as customer-based appropriateness. The reviewers  assist our project teams with the development of initial content outlines; content specialists, or medical experts, with direct patient care experience, including physicians, nurses and therapists; and reviewers, typically eight to 10 per product, who represent diverse areas of the country and use a multidisciplinary approach, as appropriate.

Our research methods include our on-site medical library (journal articles, practice guidelines, subscription databases), interviews with medical experts, attendance at medical association meetings and conferences, professionally conducted surveys, roundtable discussions with industry professionals and focus groups with both practitioners and end-users of our products. We have full-time medical librarians on staff.

Content also is developed in conformance with current Practice Guidelines from government agencies and medical specialty organizations.

Content is developed at a sixth- to eighth-grade reading level. Reading level is measured with commonly used readability scales (FOG, SMOG and FRY). Going beyond readability, StayWell develops content using Doak, Doak & Root Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) methodology, which considers the following criteria: content, layout and typography, graphics, cultural appropriateness, learning stimulation motivation and literacy demand. 

Great importance is placed on visuals. Our award-winning art is used to:

• Bridge learning barriers — Visuals speak across languages and literacy levels.

• Convey key messages — Images reinforce key content.

• Carry clear instruction — Demonstrating the proper form for back exercises can be invaluable. 

• Tie content and audience together — Offer real-life examples and solutions.

All StayWell content is intelligently indexed and mapped to controlled vocabularies (ICD-9, CPT) to enable integration with clients’ information systems (i.e., billing systems, electronic medical record systems, etc.) and uses MeSH concepts as a common keyword scheme.   MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) is an industry-standard vocabulary maintained by the National Library of Medicine. 

Our medical library

Allergies

Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America

The Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology

Middleton Allergy: Principles and Practice

Cardiology

American Heart Hospital Journal

Braunwald’s Heart Disease

Cardiology Clinics

Circulation (including supplements)

Clinical Electrocardiography  

Harvard Heart Letter

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography

Journal Watch for Cardiology

Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners         

Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing

Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Integrative Medicine   

Textbook of Natural Medicine

Dentistry

American Journal of Orthodontics And Dentofacial Orthopedics

Journal of the American Dental Association

Developments in Medicine

HIV/Aids Surveillance Report

Healthcare Informatics

Internet Medicine

JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association

Med Ad News

Medical Clinics of North America

Medicine on the Net

New England Journal of Medicine

Nation's Health

Postgraduate Medicine

Dermatology

Clinical Dermatology: Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy 

Dermatologic Clinics

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Diabetes

Diabetes Educator

Diabetes Forecast

Diabetes Self-Management

Emergency Medicine

Annals of Emergency Medicine

Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine

Clinical Toxicology

Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America

Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice

Wilderness Medicine

Endocrinology

Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Williams Textbook of Endocrinology

Family Practice

American Family Physician

Annals of Family Medicine

Clinics in Family Practice

Physicians Desk Reference

Rakel’s Textbook of Family Practice 

Textbook of Family Practice

Gastroenterology

The American Journal of Gastroenterology 

Clinics in Liver Disease

Gastroenterology Clinics of North America      

Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease

General Health and Wellness

Canadian Medical Association Journal

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

Modern Healthcare

Nation's Health

Prevention

Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter

University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter

Geriatrics

Clinics in Geriatric Medicine

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Practice of Geriatrics  

Health Statistics

American Journal of Public Health

Nation's Health

Statistical Abstract of the United States

United States Government Manual

Infectious Diseases

Infectious Disease Clinics of North America

Infectious Diseases

Krugman’s Principles and Practices of Pediatric Infectious Diseases   

Mandell’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases     

Internal Medicine

Annals of Internal Medicine

Cecil Textbook of Medicine

Clinical Toxicology

Chest

Clinics in Chest Medicine

Conn’s Current Therapy

Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice

Internal Medicine News

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

The Osler Medical Handbook

Postgraduate Medicine

Textbook of Respiratory Medicine

Up-To-Date

Laboratory Medicine

Clinical Laboratory Medicine 

Neurology

Neurologic Clinics

Neurology

Textbook of Clinical Neurology

Nutrition

Food Insight

Nutrition Action Health Letter

Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter

Ob/Gyn

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Clinics in Perinatology

Comprehensive Gynecology    

Contemporary Ob-Gyn

The Female Patient (Obstetrics/Gynecology Edition)

Gabbe’s Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America

Oncology

American Institute for Cancer Research Newsletter

Clinical Oncology

Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology Clinics of North America 

Ophthalmology Management

Ophthalmology Times

Review of Ophthalmology

Yanoff: Ophthalmology

Orthopedics

American Journal of Sports Medicine

Arthritis Today 

Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics

Chiropractic Products

Clinics in Sports Medicine

DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American Edition

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon

Orthopaedic Nursing

The Orthopedic Clinics of North America

Orthopedics Today

Physical Therapy Journal

Podiatry Management

Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America

Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction

Otolaryngology

The Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America

Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery

Patient Education and Care

Advocate

American Journal of Health Promotion

American Journal of Managed Care

Conn's Current Therapy   

Creative Training Techniques Newsletter

Critical Care Clinics

Critical Care Medicine

Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Ferri's Clinical Advisor

Healthplan

Hospital Blue Book

Hospital Outlook

Hospitals and Health Networks

Nursing (Year) (Hospital Library Ed.)

Nursing Made Easy

Patient Care

Patient Education Management

Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient

Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice

Textbook of Primary Care Medicine  

Pediatrics

Adolescent Medicine Clinics

Harriett Lane Handbook

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

The Journal of Pediatrics

Klugman's Infectious Diseases of Children

Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics

Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners

The Pediatric Clinics of North America

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Principles and Practices of Pediatric Infectious Diseases    

Skeletal Trauma in Children   

Pharmacology

USP Di, Vol Ii, Advice for the Patient 

Psychiatry

Handbook of Medical Psychiatry 

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 

The Psychiatric Clinics of North America     

Psychiatric Secrets 

Radiology

Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology

The Radiologic Clinics of North America

Rheumatology

Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology

Safety

California Employer Advisor

Family Safety & Health

Human Resource Executive

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

OSHA Up to Date

Prevention

Safety + Health

Today's Administrative Professional

Workforce

Surgeries and Procedures

Anesthesia  

Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology Clinics of North America

Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons

General Surgery News

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia

Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery

Outpatient Surgery

Sabiston Textbook of Surgery  

The Surgical Clinics of North America

Trends in Health

American Journal of Public Health

Business Week

Consumer Reports on Health

Ebony

The Economist (North American Edition)

Generations

Health

Latina

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

Metropolitan Home 

Modern Healthcare

Nation's Health

Newsweek 

New York Times

People (Spanish Edition)

San Francisco Chronicle

Scientific American

Self 

Time

US News and World Report 

USA Today

Vanity Fair 

Wall Street Journal

Trends in Men’s Health

Gentlemen’s Quarterly 

Harvard Men's Health Watch

The Journal of Men's Health and Gender

Men's Health  

Trends in Women’s Health

Cosmopolitan

Elle 

Glamour 

Harvard Women's Health Watch

Ladies Home Journal  

Vogue

Woman’s Day 

Urology

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

Brenner & Rector's The Kidney

Campbell's Urology    

Family Urology

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

The Urologic Clinics of North America

Practice Guidelines We Follow

Eye Care: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Eye Surgery Education Council

Gastroenterology: American College of Gastroenterology, American Cancer Society, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, American College of Gastroenterology, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons

OB/GYN: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists, National Academy of Family Physicians, National Institutes of Health, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, North American Menopause Association, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, National Vaginitis Association

Oncology: American Cancer Society, National Cancer institute, National Cervical Cancer Coalition, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Dental:  American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodentology, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, American Association of Orthodontists, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Prosthodontists, American Association of Endodontists, American Academy of Periodontology, American College of Prosthodontics

Orthopedics: American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, National Association for Sport and Physical Education, North American Spine Society

Public Health (includes Inf. Disease): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Social Health Association

Cardiology: American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, Department of Health and Human Services

Diabetes: American Diabetes Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, International Diabetes Center, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, American Dietetic Association

Pulmonary: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Foundation, American Lung Foundation, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)

Urology : American Foundation for Urologic Disease, American Urological Association

Approved by members of the Quality Oversight Committee 9/15/2006