Responsively Designed MedlinePlus: Access from Your Phone, Tablet or Desktop

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) released responsively designed versions of MedlinePlus and MedlinePlus en español in April 2015 (see Figure 1). The sites can be accessed at //www.medlineplus.gov/ and //www.medlineplus.gov/spanish/, respectively.

Responsive web design optimizes your interaction with a site by adjusting each page for the device you are using, whether that is a desktop monitor or mobile touchscreen. Responsive pages automatically change their layout to fit your screen, minimizing the need for scrolling or zooming.

Features of Responsive MedlinePlus

The key features of the redesigned sites are:

• Tailored access from any device to all the content available on MedlinePlus and MedlinePlus en español (see Figure 2)
• A streamlined homepage layout (see Figure 3)
• Updated look and feel with a refreshed design on all pages, including health topic pages (see Figure 4)

Health Topic pages boast an improved architecture, with the table of contents now appearing above the topic summary for easy access. Additionally, the Overviews section has been merged into the Start Here section, now found just below the topic summary.

Mobile and tablet users will also enjoy:

• A collapsed menu for site navigation, with a search drop-down (see Figure 5)
• Section headings that open and close areas of a page for easier reading on a smaller screen (see Figure 6)
• Text that is readable without zooming, and links spaced for easy tapping

Development of Responsive Design for MedlinePlus

This new version is the final step in a phased plan to redesign MedlinePlus and MedlinePlus en español to behave responsively. Because this latest release enables all users, regardless of device, to access MedlinePlus.gov, there is no longer a need for the separate mobile locations at http://m.medlineplus.gov and http://m.medlineplus.gov/spanish/. These sites are now retired; visitors to them are redirected to the new version of MedlinePlus.gov.

An earlier phase in the plan was accomplished just six months ago in October 2014, when a responsively designed version of MedlinePlus for mobile devices was released to our mobile site locations at //m.medlineplus.gov and //m.medlineplus.gov/spanish/ (see MedlinePlus Mobile Update: Full Access from Your Phone). This design replaced our original mobile sites, launched in 2010.

With the April 2015 release, users now have one destination for MedlinePlus when using any device. We invite you to try out the full responsive design on your smartphone, tablet or desktop by visiting MedlinePlus in English at //m.medlineplus.gov and in Spanish at //m.medlineplus.gov/spanish.