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Last Update
8 June 2013
Introduction
See also Blogs | Drug Information - print & online sources | Finding health information for British Columbians 
| Top Information Sources in Biomedical Reference, 2013
The core medical titles listed below (~30 in total) may not always be found in public, hospital and health libraries. However, the principle of answering basic reference questions in health by referring to various authoritative sources is an important first step in conducting the reference interview -- and in educating users how to use medical information properly and effectively. As such, these medical sources are extremely useful for many types of health questions, important in understanding the medical bibliography and how information services are provided to various user groups in medicine. With so much health information on the web (such as Wikipedia), it might seem that these tools are not needed but I disagree. In fact, think they are needed more than ever in an era of information overload, weak or unknown authority of sources on the web and information fragmentation.
Key
4 stars denotes librarian-selected, high quality information. Starred sites are great places to begin your research.
- An online or print publication intended to present Canadian information for Canadians
Abbreviations, acronyms, symbols
- registry of Web resources that list or provide access to the full title of journal abbreviations or other types of abbreviated publication titles
- information about 98144 journal titles; includes description (aims and scope), journal abbreviation, journal homepage link, subject category and ISSN
- lists medical abbreviations and provides brief definitions of medical eponyms, table of elements, short list of symbols, etc
- a listing of online and print sources
- 20,000+ clinically relevant abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, associations and organizations
- 7700+ eponyms described in 3781 main entries. These eponyms are linked to 3069 persons: 105 female and 2964 male
Drugs – Canada & United States
More than 2,000 medications are available in Canada. This guide outlines the main classes by prescription and over-the-counter, correct uses, how they work in the body, and how to manage treatment.
3,000 drugs, generic and brand names; new & discontinued drugs; pictures of selected drugs; manufacturers’ directory
Canadian. Features 750 drug profiles in an alphabetic arrangement.
American. Useful for adverse reactions, metabolism information and impact on body organs.
American. Food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices (ERED) and cosmetics.
Eponyms
Defines eponyms used in most English-speaking countries. Includes descriptions of medical persons whose names are used eponymously."
Over 15,000 eponyms and more than 6.000 persons described in 5000 main entries. Eponyms are linked to 3409 persons, 130 female and 3279 male.
Foreign Language
In online catalogues, see subject heading(s) such as Medical dictionaries – Chinese.
Dictionaries – General
A classic medical dictionary. 1000+ illustrations, 13 appendices with anatomy, muscle groups, phobias & reference values for lab tests.
Key dictionary. Appendices: lab values, abbreviations, symbols, weights & measures.
An impressive visual source, Melloni’s contains clear definitions, common abbreviations and
pronunciation guide. Helpful are “prefixes/suffixes” and “how to use” sections.
Long entries. 2000+ colour anatomical illustrations, appendices with normal lab values for adults/children, nutrition guidelines, symbols and abbreviations and (U.S.) disease statistics.
1903 classic, Stedman’s provides definitions, pronunciation, colour illustrations & anatomical plates, word and genus finders. A complement to Dorland’s, used by NLM for MeSH terms.
Illustrated. Causes, symptoms, poisoning, first aid, prognosis, Rx. Twenty-five appendices: lab values, daily dietary allowances, phobias, Models & Theories of Nursing.
Directories – B.C. & Canada
Five sections: alphabetic listing of members; members by geographical region; members by specialties; “temporary” members and those involved in medical education and finally a directory of BC hospitals.
Directory of certified Canadian physicians, specialists & family doctors. University faculties of medicine, provincial ministries of health, Canadian hospitals and Canadian healthcare associations. Languages spoken by doctors and helpful medicine “Year in Review” included.
A list of Canadian healthcare facilities, hospitals, long term care, arranged by province/city. Lists key personnel, healthcare associations and regional health organizations. Contains manufacturers and distributors of health products and services and overview to health care by province.
Handbooks & manuals
Many health professionals prefer to read the print versions of their favourite texts... A key text for chemistry and physics; used in basic research. Compounds, molecular weight, boiling point, melting point, density, molecular formula, and molecular structure are listed. Formulas, basic units, conversion factors, tables of elements, derivatives and hundreds of integrals help with calculus.
Current insight into symptoms, signs, epidemiology, and treatment for more than 1,000 diseases and disorders. For each topic, concise, evidence-based answers to questions about hospital and ambulatory medicine. This clinical companion is the fastest and easiest way to keep abreast of medical advances, prevention strategies, and cost-effective treatments.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 4th ed - Text Revision (TR) by the American Psychiatric Association. Includes diagnostic criteria, descriptions and classification and diagnosis (using ICD - International Classification of Diseases). It provides information about features, culture, age, gender, prevalence, and familial pattern of mental disorders.
Covers molecular biology, new drugs and clinical studies which have contributed to drug therapeutics. Provides basic science and clinical application, guiding practitioners in understanding drugs useful in preventing, diagnosing and treating disease. Describes how and why drugs affect body systems, chemical properties of drugs, dosage information, drug interactions and toxic effects.
Represents 50+ years of expert guidance for pediatric residents and those who treat children. This everyday reference is for fast, accurate bedside consultation; its formulary is regularly updated online. New or revised chapters on palliative care, toxicology, dermatology, and growth and nutrition help you streamline diagnosis and treatment.
Covers pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics, gynaecology, dermatology, pharmacology, ophthalmology; hand disorders, prion diseases, death and dying, chronic fatigue syndrome, rehabilitation, smoking cessation, and drug therapy. Language is technical. Other Merck manuals are available including Geriatrics and Consumer Home Editions.
Lab tests
Up-to-date information on lab tests, with descriptions of tests, conditions, screening guide and advances (news).
Syndromes
Arranged by eponym, clinical syndrome or name. Includes synonym(s), symptoms and signs, etiology, pathology, diagnostic procedures, therapy, prognosis. Extensive appendices.
Includes “syndromes and eponymous diseases which occur in the literature with reasonable frequency." Systematic analysis of 95,000 journal articles over twenty year period helped locate entries. Syndrome is traced to its original description.
Over 7700+ eponyms described in 3781 main entries. These eponyms are linked to 3069 persons: 105 female and 2964 male.
