LibGuides: Equity in System Sciences Resources for Cases: Finding the Basics

Looking for basic - or background - information on a topic is best done in textbooks or other resources that compile the known and standard information into a single resource. For example, if you need to know more about what Graves' disease is or what the usuall treatment is, an article search probably will not help as much looking it up in a textbook (either print or our online books) or some of our synthesized resources (Medscape, UptoDate).

Sythesized Resources

These resources are more clinically focused. Their coverage of basic topics may not be as fully explained so you might need to use a textbook to round-out your understanding.

Up to Date
Find info in different topics. Sometimes called out in a section and sometimes not.
Medscape
They have an nice DDX tab. (You may need to create and account - free - to access this resource - and they don't spam.)

Search or browse for a topic of interest and DDX will be one of the sections of available information.
Micromedex -- Search by Disease or Condition
In the search box, simply type your condition and click search. The disease summary info is pretty brief -- be sure to switch to In-Depth Answers for more, like epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, DDX, or even ongoing assessment.

The Big Tomes

Cecil Medicine
One of the key textbooks for internal medicine - it describes itself as a remarkably user-friendly version in which you'll find definitive, unbiased, evidence-based guidance on the evaluation and management of every medical condition.
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
Sabiston Textbook of Surgery by Courtney M. Townsend et al
Publication Date: 2016
Available in print only. Find it at WongAvery Floor2, Books ; WO 500 S116 2017
Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank H. Netter
Explore the online version of a classic text.

The Handbooks

Quick Answers to Medical Diagnosis and Treatment by Papadakis MA, McPhee SJ, & Bernstein J.
Publication Date: 2022
CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment by Maxine A. Papadakis; et al
Ferri's Clinical Advisor by Fred F. Ferri
Publication Date: 2017
Alphabetical list of about 300 tests and over 700 diseases. It also has "see also" to map you to the correct clinical name. The normal range in adult patients is provided and common abnormalities along with causes of abnormal results. Where appropriate, has SI units listed as well.

In most cases, when searching in these resources one word or phrase is better than a long question or multiple concepts.

Access Medicine

Online Articles & Books

Search Through a Huge Collection of Online Articles & Books