The Portal provides access to the best available research evidence about optimal aging, drawing on:
McMaster PLUS™ for clinical questions (‘improve your and your family’s health’) PLUS stands for Premium LiteratUre Service.
- McMasterPLUS™ is a database that was originally developed for clinicians. It includes articles that are continuously selected from over 130 journals, through a critical appraisal process that identifies studies and systematic reviews that are scientifically strong. Articles that meet specific scientific criteria are then rated by frontline clinicians for relevance and newsworthiness. Know what your doctor or nurse (should) know.
Health Evidence™ for public health questions (’improve your community’s health’).
- Health Evidence™ is a database that was originally developed for public health professionals. It includes quality-rated systematic reviews about the effectiveness of public health interventions, like immunization campaigns. Know what your community’s medical officer of health (should) know.
Health Systems Evidence for health system questions (‘improve what your health system can do for you’).
- Health Systems Evidence is a database that was originally developed for managers and policymakers. It includes many types of research evidence about ways to address problems in the health system. Know what the head of your local hospital or your member of parliament should know.
Social Systems Evidence for questions about the social aspects of aging (‘improve what your social system can do for you’).
- Social Systems Evidence is a database that was originally developed for managers and policymakers. It includes many types of research evidence about the social aspects of aging in a broad range of government sectors and program areas (for example, community and social services, culture and gender, economic development and growth, housing and transportation). Know what the head of your municipal council member, or your member of parliament should know.
Search results are sorted by relevance to your search terms, quality of the research evidence, and in the case of PLUS by relevance to and newsworthiness for clinicians. Consumer-friendly Evidence Summaries are included (when available), and links to scientific abstracts and full text are provided (when available).