PLoS [Public Library of Science] Medicine is a peer-reviewed medical journal available free online, with a Creative Commons license for use. Here is one reason why it was created:
Whereas some would argue that medical journals should not be accessible to patients because patients are unable to use the information effectively, we believe it is our responsibility as publishers and members of the medical community not only to give patients access, but to provide them with tools to use the medical literature wisely. Medical research is a partnership between medical scientists and millions of voluntary human participants, conducted largely with public funds. What better way to acknowledge the public’s contribution and ensure their willingness to sponsor and participate in future research than to openly share the product of this research with them?
It could be interesting to examine the differences in usage between PLoS Medicine, which is geared toward both practitioners and the public, with another source built expressly for use by the public, such as the Canadian Health Network.
