On average, clinicians raise 1 medical knowledge question for every 2 patients seen (Del Fiol et al., 2014). Of these questions, 34% concern drug treatment, and 24% concern potential causes of a symptom, physical finding, or diagnostic test finding. (See the top 13 questions identified by the study.)
For help with these questions, the Library offers evidence-based clinical decision support resources.
| To identify potential causes of a symptom or a diagnostic test finding, try these clinical information resources. |
Search for a symptom/finding with these strategic keywords:
- dizziness differential diagnosis
- gastrointestinal bleeding approach (this finds “approach to the patient” articles)
- fever cause
- hypoglycemia etiology
Search for a symptom/finding with these strategic keywords:
- dizziness differential diagnosis
- gastrointestinal bleeding approach
- fever cause
- hypoglycemia etiology
A collection of books and quick reference tools.
Select titles and tools:
- Diagnosaurus (browse by symptom, disease, or organ system)
- Symptom to Diagnosis: An Evidence-Based Guide, 3e
- Guide to Diagnostic Tests, 7e
- Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2019
| For drug treatment questions on dose and administration, indication, and adverse reactions |
- Search by drug (e.g., venlafaxine)
- Search for treatments or medications (e.g., migraine medication)
- Search by drug
- Search for treatments or medications (e.g., acne treatment)
- Try the drug interactions tool
Clinical Pharmacology – a specialized drug database