X-Plain Health Encyclopedia
The X-Plain Health Encyclopedia is designed for health websites and patient portals. It includes our full library, covering all medical specialties. For each health topic, the Encyclopedia provides an interactive tutorial, video, overview, full text, and illustrated handout.
Browse the following frequently asked questions or contact us for more information.
Browse the following frequently asked questions or contact us for more information.
How is the Health Encyclopedia used?
Our clients put a link on their website that provides the public with access to the Health Encyclopedia. For authenticated access (username and password), see X-Plain for Patient Portals. People in the community often find the website through online searches.
Can the Health Encyclopedia be used in a clinical setting?
Clients often put the Health Encyclopedia on their website as a service to the public. Many hospitals do choose to assign patient-specific health topics that patients can view on the hospital's website.
The provider can ask the patient to review the indicated topic on a hospital device, such as a tablet, or the provider can print an illustrated handout. A nurse could alternatively give the patient a card with the Encyclopedia's URL and the name of the condition or treatment to review. The patient can then view the topic at home on his or her smartphone, tablet or computer.
Do I need any hardware or software?
You do not need any hardware or software. You only need a website. Simply put a link to the Encyclopedia on your home page or within a main section of your website.
Which topics are included?
All X-Plain topics are included. Please contact us for a full list of topics.
In what format(s) are the educational materials provided?
We provide each topic in the following educational formats: interactive multimedia tutorials, illustrated handouts, overviews, and full text.
What languages are available?
The topics are available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. Clients can choose the language(s) they need.
How often is the content updated?
We review our topics every two years. If the topic requires revision, each educational format is updated in all available languages.
Where is the content housed and how is it updated?
All of the content resides on X-Plain servers and is updated automatically. We publish updates daily, and they become available to clients immediately.
What is the learning curve for healthcare staff?
If a healthcare provider wants to print handouts from the website, they only need to know the location of the Health Encyclopedia on their website, or they need a bookmarked link. Once in the Encyclopedia, the provider can search alphabetically or by keyword. They can also browse by medical specialty, body system, or organ.
What is the learning curve for patients and caregivers?
When a healthcare provider suggests a topic specific to the patient, the patient simply needs to know the web address and topic name. If the patient wants to browse on their own, they can search alphabetically or by keyword, medical specialty, body system, or organ of interest.
When completing an X-Plain tutorial, the patient usually has only two options on the screen, which makes navigation easy. Patients with limited computer proficiency have used X-Plain tutorials without assistance since 1995.
Can I document completion of the tutorials?
Patient education completed through the Health Encyclopedia is not documented. If you want to document patient education, see the X-Plain PEDS solution.
Can I customize the Health Encyclopedia interface with the name and logo of my healthcare institution?
Yes. You can display your name and logo on each page and in the menu bar. A copyright notice for X-Plain is included in the footer.
Can I modify the content or functionality of the X-Plain Health Encyclopedia?
Because the Health Encyclopedia houses our entire library as a package deal for a low price, it is not customizable. If you would like to customize the content or the interface, check out X-Plain for Websites.
How much does the X-Plain Health Encyclopedia cost?
We sell the Health Encyclopedia as an annual subscription that comes with free hosting, automatic updates, and implementation assistance. The price depends on the size of the facility. Contact us for a quote.
Can I cancel the subscription?
Yes, you can cancel at any time.
Do you offer a free trial?
Yes, we offer a 30-day free trial. We provide a 5-item questionnaire to assist you in collecting feedback from your users. Please contact us to set up your free trial.
How will I know if people are using the Health Encyclopedia?
We provide metrics to track the website's usage.
Is there a limit on usage?
No. You can print, read, or listen to each topic an unlimited number of times. There is also no limit to the number of users.
Our clients put a link on their website that provides the public with access to the Health Encyclopedia. For authenticated access (username and password), see X-Plain for Patient Portals. People in the community often find the website through online searches.
Can the Health Encyclopedia be used in a clinical setting?
Clients often put the Health Encyclopedia on their website as a service to the public. Many hospitals do choose to assign patient-specific health topics that patients can view on the hospital's website.
The provider can ask the patient to review the indicated topic on a hospital device, such as a tablet, or the provider can print an illustrated handout. A nurse could alternatively give the patient a card with the Encyclopedia's URL and the name of the condition or treatment to review. The patient can then view the topic at home on his or her smartphone, tablet or computer.
Do I need any hardware or software?
You do not need any hardware or software. You only need a website. Simply put a link to the Encyclopedia on your home page or within a main section of your website.
Which topics are included?
All X-Plain topics are included. Please contact us for a full list of topics.
In what format(s) are the educational materials provided?
We provide each topic in the following educational formats: interactive multimedia tutorials, illustrated handouts, overviews, and full text.
What languages are available?
The topics are available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. Clients can choose the language(s) they need.
How often is the content updated?
We review our topics every two years. If the topic requires revision, each educational format is updated in all available languages.
Where is the content housed and how is it updated?
All of the content resides on X-Plain servers and is updated automatically. We publish updates daily, and they become available to clients immediately.
What is the learning curve for healthcare staff?
If a healthcare provider wants to print handouts from the website, they only need to know the location of the Health Encyclopedia on their website, or they need a bookmarked link. Once in the Encyclopedia, the provider can search alphabetically or by keyword. They can also browse by medical specialty, body system, or organ.
What is the learning curve for patients and caregivers?
When a healthcare provider suggests a topic specific to the patient, the patient simply needs to know the web address and topic name. If the patient wants to browse on their own, they can search alphabetically or by keyword, medical specialty, body system, or organ of interest.
When completing an X-Plain tutorial, the patient usually has only two options on the screen, which makes navigation easy. Patients with limited computer proficiency have used X-Plain tutorials without assistance since 1995.
Can I document completion of the tutorials?
Patient education completed through the Health Encyclopedia is not documented. If you want to document patient education, see the X-Plain PEDS solution.
Can I customize the Health Encyclopedia interface with the name and logo of my healthcare institution?
Yes. You can display your name and logo on each page and in the menu bar. A copyright notice for X-Plain is included in the footer.
Can I modify the content or functionality of the X-Plain Health Encyclopedia?
Because the Health Encyclopedia houses our entire library as a package deal for a low price, it is not customizable. If you would like to customize the content or the interface, check out X-Plain for Websites.
How much does the X-Plain Health Encyclopedia cost?
We sell the Health Encyclopedia as an annual subscription that comes with free hosting, automatic updates, and implementation assistance. The price depends on the size of the facility. Contact us for a quote.
Can I cancel the subscription?
Yes, you can cancel at any time.
Do you offer a free trial?
Yes, we offer a 30-day free trial. We provide a 5-item questionnaire to assist you in collecting feedback from your users. Please contact us to set up your free trial.
How will I know if people are using the Health Encyclopedia?
We provide metrics to track the website's usage.
Is there a limit on usage?
No. You can print, read, or listen to each topic an unlimited number of times. There is also no limit to the number of users.
I only need a few topics or a single medical specialty. Do I need to purchase the full encyclopedia?
The Health Encyclopedia houses our entire library as a package deal for a low price. If you only need a few topics, you're looking for the X-Plain for Websites solution, which allows you to select the topics and educational formats you need.
Can the X-Plain Health Encyclopedia increase traffic to my website?
Yes. When the government of Saudi Arabia implemented X-Plain on its website, traffic increased from 10,000 users per month to more than 2 million with the help of one full-time marketing manager. MedlinePlus (of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) licensed X-Plain for 15 years and received, on average, an additional 1 million visitors per month using only 150 X-Plain topics.
The Health Encyclopedia houses our entire library as a package deal for a low price. If you only need a few topics, you're looking for the X-Plain for Websites solution, which allows you to select the topics and educational formats you need.
Can the X-Plain Health Encyclopedia increase traffic to my website?
Yes. When the government of Saudi Arabia implemented X-Plain on its website, traffic increased from 10,000 users per month to more than 2 million with the help of one full-time marketing manager. MedlinePlus (of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) licensed X-Plain for 15 years and received, on average, an additional 1 million visitors per month using only 150 X-Plain topics.
