All guides: Biomedical Science: Websites

Key Australian websites

Australian government: Department of Health and Aged Care
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
The national organisation responsible for implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) across Australia, working with 15 National Health Practitioner Boards.
National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC)
Advises the Commonwealth, state and territory health ministers on matters relating to the accreditation of pathology laboratories. NPAAC plays a key role in ensuring the quality of Australian pathology services and is responsible for the development and maintenance of standards and guidelines for pathology practices.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Australia’s leading national investor in health and medical research. In 2019-20, NHMRC awarded over $1.2 billion in new grants to support research into health issues of community concern.
Healthdirect Australia
The national virtual public health information service.
Pathology Tests Explained
Information for patients about pathology tests, written by practising pathologists and scientists. Funded by AACB and RCPA.
Know pathology know healthcare
A website to improve the health literacy of the Australian public and inform them about the role of pathology. Published by not-for-profit group Pathology Awareness Australia Limited (PAA).

International websites

StatPearls
Vast online library for medical and allied health students and professionals. Frequently updated. Supported by the US National Library of Medicine (NLM) and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
MedlinePlus: Medical tests
US National Library of Medicine (NLM). Free online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.
World Health Organisation (WHO)
The WHO is the United Nations agency dedicated to global health and safety.
RCSB Protein Data Bank
The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB) Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the US data center for 3D structure data of large biological molecules (proteins, DNA, and RNA) essential for research and education in fundamental biology, health, energy, and biotechnology.

Australian professional groups

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)
The leading organisation representing pathologists and senior scientists in Australasia. Its mission is to train and support pathologists and to improve the use of pathology testing to achieve better healthcare. Three RCPA manuals are free to access online:

RCPA Manual
Useful guidelines for the selection of pathology tests and to facilitate interpretation of results.
Genetic tests and laboratories
A comprehensive listing of all genes from the Human Genome Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) database alongside laboratories and tests available in the country
Macroscopic cut-up manual
Protocols for the range of specimens processed in diagnostic pathology laboratories. General laboratory information, detailed illustrations and several instructive videos.

Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (AACB)
Providing education, training and other professional development opportunities for pathologists, medical scientists and technicians working in pathology laboratories in the Australasian region.
Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
A professional group for biochemists and molecular biologists, devoted to promoting research, new developments and education in biochemistry and molecular biology.
National Committee for Biomedical Sciences (NCBMS)
Fostering the biomedical sciences in Australia, linking the Australian Science Academy to Australian biomedical scientists, and serving as a link between Australian and overseas scientists. Helpful list of Australian and international professional groups.
Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)
Reading material, lectures, seminars, symposia and demonstrations on topics relevant to microbiology; standards for the practice of microbiology as a profession.
Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology (ANZSCDB)
Australian and New Zealand research and education in cell and developmental biology; encouraging international collaborations; supporting the research community across all levels, from students to senior researchers.
Public Pathology Australia
A national body for public pathology in Australia. Its members are the major government owned and operated pathology services in each State and Territory in Australia.
Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS)
AIMS represents medical scientists working throughout Australia in all disciplines of laboratory medicine. Tools, information and networks.

AIMS has an extensive list of useful links.
AIMS newsfeed.

Evaluating information sources

The CRAAP test

Evaluate your sources using the CRAAP test to find reliable, quality information.

• Currency: when was it created?
• Relevance: is it on my topic?
• Authority: is it by an expert?
• Accuracy: is it correct?
• Purpose: why was it created?

The SIFT method

Evaluate web and social media sources in 4 moves using the SIFT method.

• Stop - think before using a source.
• Investigate where it is from.
• Find alternative sources.
• Trace claims, quotes and media.

Fact checking

Fact checking is an important skill. Find out how to assess and verify your sources with RMIT's Fact checking guide.

• Assess websites and social media.
• Lean how to spot fake news.
• Develop your media literacy skills.

Library subject guides

Biomedical Science

Key Australian websites

International websites

Australian professional groups

Evaluating information sources