Directory of Services and Resources Help

Index

The following section provides key information about the Directory search functionality and tools available. We have developed two resources designed for users who would like more in-depth information:

The HealthLink BC Directory Search Guide provides comprehensive information on our website search functionality
The HealthLink BC Directory Overview includes information about the scope and structure of this resource, such as record types and relationships, inclusion criteria, and information about field sets

1 Basic search

The basic search screen has two search fields:

· The What? field for searching by keywords and keyword phrases

· The Where? field for searching by location using city or community (optional)

1.1 What? field

Search with keywords or phrases. The search engine will compare the search keyword(s) to the following fields:

The record name
The description field (in any organization, service, or location record)
AIRS Taxonomy categories
A custom keywords field, not visible to the user, which contains terms and acronyms related to the record

What to search for:

The name of an organization or program (e.g., BC Lung Association, Bounce Back)
Specific medical procedure (e.g., CAT scan, occupational therapy, detox)
Health condition (e.g., dementia, FASD, cancer)
A type of treatment or care (e.g., hemodialysis, residential care)
A public health area (e.g., pregnancy)
Demographic groups (e.g., infants, seniors)

What not to search for:

Phone/Fax numbers
Postal codes
Email and website addresses
Addresses
Age ranges
Service eligibility and referral criteria

1.2 Where? field (optional)

How does it work?

· An optional field

· Enter the name of a location to search

· Searches all of BC if no location entered

· Returns results for surrounding communities (if any are available)

· Search engine looks at the ‘city’ field

· Also searches for telephone and website programs relating to search keywords

What to search for:

City name (e.g., Vancouver, Victoria, Prince George, Kelowna)
Geographic area (e.g., Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast)

What not to search for:

Multiple city names (e.g., Nanaimo and Parksville)
Street and mailing addresses or postal codes
Locations outside of BC

2 Search results

Search results are sorted by their relevance to the search terms entered.

Twenty search results are displayed per page. At the top of the list, a count of the total number of results is displayed. To the right, there are hyperlinks for "< Previous" and "Next >", as well as page numbers for navigating from page to page.

Directory search results list

2.1 Search result

Each search result includes several pieces of key information:

· Record type symbol

· Record name, which is hyperlinked to the detailed record view

· Address and telephone number

· Links to associated records

· Short description about the service

· Wheelchair accessibility icon (when applicable)

Service records also include a link to the parent organization following the heading "Provided by" (see example below).

Organization search result

Record type

Service@Location search result

Location search result

2.2 Using detailed record views to browse records

While accessing any detailed record view, links are available to navigate to associated records (see images for organization, service, and location records below).

2.2.1 Organization record detailed view with services list

Within an organization record, use the record list and the “Next>” hyperlink to review all of the services offered.

· Clicking on the service name in the record list will open the detailed service record view

2.2.2 Service record detailed view with locations list

Within a service record, use the record list and the “Next>” hyperlink to view a list of locations where the service is delivered.

· Clicking on a service name in the list will display information unique to that service at that location and also provide a map in the right column

· To view all the services offered at a location, click on the location name in the record list

2.2.3 Location record detailed view with services list

Within location records, use the record list and the “Next>” hyperlink to review a list of services offered at that same location. One location may have multiple organizations offering services.

· Clicking on a service name will display specific service at location information and a map in the right column.

3 Search filters

There are 3 types of search filters available on the search results page:

3.1 Record type filter

This record type filter allows for focusing or removing record types from the results list.

· Click on the record type name to show only that record type

· Click on the X beside a record type to remove it from the results list

· Click on the eraser to remove record type filters

· Running a new search removes all record type filters previously applied

3.2 Category Filter

The Category filter tool displays the AIRS Taxonomy terms applied to the records in the search results list. The number in (brackets) shows the number of results in that category.

· Click on one or more categories to further refine the search results

· Click on the X to remove a category from the results list

· Click on the Funnel icon ()to choose specific categories to display. Choose one or multiple categories.

· Click "More>>" to expand the category list and “<< Fewer” to collapse the category list

· Click on the eraser to remove all category filters

· Running a new search removes all category filters previously applied

3.3 Location filter

The Location filter tool displays communities where the search results are offered. It includes locations for services available by telephone (Telephone Access) and online (Website Access). The number in (brackets) shows the number of results in that location.

· Click on a location name to further refine the search results

· Click on the Funnel icon () to choose specific locations to display. Choose one or multiple locations

· Click "More>>" to expand the location list and “<< Fewer” to collapse

· Click on the eraser to remove the location filters

· Running a new search removes all category filters previously applied

To clear filters from multiple areas at once, click on the ‘Clear’ button at the top of the search results list.

How to provide feedback

To provide comments or suggestions, get in touch about new services or updates, or provide us with corrections, click on the "Provide feedback" link on the directory home page at http://find.healthlinkbc.ca.

To submit new information or make changes to your records, you may click on the "Submit Correction" link from any page or record in the Directory.

Alternatively, you may email us at HLBCFeedback@gov.bc.ca.

You may also call 8-1-1 to speak to a Health Services Representative.

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About the HealthLink BC Directory

The HealthLink BC Directory is a public service that provides detailed information about how and where to access health services in British Columbia. The Directory is funded by the provincial government and delivered by HealthLink BC through this website or by dialling 8-1-1.

The purpose of the HealthLink BC Directory is to help British Columbians maintain and achieve better health by providing them with the right information at the right time. As a publicly-funded service, the directory includes health care and mental health and addiction services that are publicly funded (either in whole or in part) and serve the residents of British Columbia.

A number of services are not included in the Directory such as individual practitioners, user paid services, federally-funded veteran health care services, and the broader set of social services.

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