Physician Assistant Resources: Databases
Core Databases for Physician Assistant Students
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PubMedDatabase of biomedical literature from the National Library of Medicine covering journal articles about medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, biology and public health from 1950 to the present; multiple mobile apps available, provides access to MEDLINE, etc. Includes links to full text of UNC-CH's electronic journal subscriptions.
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MedlinePlusMedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.
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CINAHL Plus with Full TextCINAHL Plus with Full Text is a collection of more than 770 full text nursing & allied health journals dating as far back as 1937, with bibliographic indexing for more than 5,000 additional nursing and related journals. Also included are select health care books, nursing dissertations, conference proceedings, standards of practice, educational software, audiovisuals and book chapters.
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Cochrane LibraryLeading source for full-text systematic reviews in health care. Searches a collection of databases that includes the CDSR, CENTRAL, Clinical Answers, and selected reviews from Epistemonikos. RCTs are from CINAHL, Pubmed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO ICTRP, and more. Click on "Search Limits" or the Browse tab to select content from a specific database.
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Google ScholarEnables you to search specifically for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from all broad areas of research. Use Google Scholar to find articles from a wide variety of academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories and universities, as well as scholarly articles available across the web.
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TRIP Database : the Search Engine for Evidence-Based MedicineOpen access clinical search engine designed to allow users to quickly and easily find and use high-quality research evidence to support their practice and/or care.
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ECRI Guidelines TrustECRI Institute, an independent, nonprofit patient safety organization, has launched the ECRI Guidelines Trust™, a portal to expertly vetted, evidence-based guideline briefs and scorecards.
ECRI Institute developed the new resource in response to urgent pleas from healthcare professionals after substantial federal funding cuts forced the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to shut down the National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC). ECRI had developed and maintained the NGC website for 20 years.
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EmbaseTry the new PICO search!
International database of biomedical literature, including gray literature for drug, medical device, and disease-related topics. Good for systematic reviews, biomedical research, pharmacovigilance. -
National Guideline Clearinghouse (Coverage ended 7/16/18)SEE ECRI Guidelines Trust https://guidelines.ecri.org/
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ScopusSimilar to Web of Science. Very large citation database including health/medicine (like PubMed & Embase) plus social sciences and humanities citations/abstracts. Includes tools to track, analyze and visualize research.
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Web of Science (ISI)Multidisciplinary coverage of thousands of high-impact journals in the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. Records # of times articles are cited. Includes access to other databases such as BIOSIS, Data citation Index, Journal Citation Reports and more.
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PsycInfoAmerican Psychological Association's database of abstracts from psychology and related disciplines. Indexes journals, dissertations, book chapters, books, technical reports, and other documents from 1887 to the present. Links to full-text for many.
Access Case Files Collection
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Access Case Files CollectionComplete collection of basic science, clinical medicine, and post-graduate level cases from the 23 Case Files series books.
• Interactive format allows users with free account to save progress and quiz themselves as they study.
• Basic Science subjects include anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology
• Clinical Subjects include ethics, anesthesiology, critical care, family medicine, pediatric medicine, geriatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics & gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, neurology, etc.
• Includes Medical Ethics & Professionalism
Additional Core Guides
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Allied Health Sciences Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants & AwardsFor pre-matriculation students, current students, and alumni.
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Anatomy ResourcesBooks, atlases, streaming media, journals, and other resources for anatomy.
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Clinical ReferenceClinical resources for UNC-CH students, faculty, and staff; UNC Hospitals employees; and UNC-Chapel Hill affiliated AHEC users.
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Disaster and Relief MedicineDatabases, journals, books, apps, and other resources for disaster and relief medicine.
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Finding Data & Statisticsincludes finding information for community health assessments, finding health data and statistics, finding global health data, and more
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Finding Information for a Community Health AssessmentA guide to finding health statistics for a community health assessment, with a special focus on North Carolina.
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Geriatric PracticeJournals, books, videos, UNC programs, and other resources on geriatric practice.
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Health Care Quality & SafetyThis guide is a joint effort of the Health Sciences Library and the Performance Improvement and Patient Safety Department at UNC Health Care. It includes news, e-journals, e-books, guidelines, tools, and links to organizations in support of patient safety and quality improvement.
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Health Literacy & Patient EducationHealth literacy is the ability to read, understand, and act on health care information. This guide provides an introduction to health literacy, including assessment tools, information on communicating with patients (talking to patients and writing easy-to-read materials) , and library resources.
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Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice Tutorial (UNC & Duke)From UNC and Duke University, this tutorial is intended for any health care practitioner or student who needs a basic introduction to the principles of Evidence-Based Medicine
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Medical Residents ResourcesIncludes guides for anesthesia, OB-GYN, pediatrics, surgery residents; includes guides to searching PubMed and Evidence-Based Practice for residents
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Mobile Health & Research Apps at UNCUNC-subscribed mobile apps for medical and health practice and research.
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Databases: Psychology & NeurosciencesComplete list of databases available through UNC subscriptions for psychology and neurosciences.
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Psychiatry & Mental Health ResourcesUNC-subscribed resources for psychiatry practice, education, and research.
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Surgery Information Resources @ HSLA detailed guide that provides quick access to general and sub-specialty surgery electronic journals, books and clinical tools.
Allied Health Sciences Liaison
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3505-6341
- Barbara's Profile
- brrenner@email.unc.edu
- HSL News/Features
- YOUR HEALTH® Radio
- All Allied Health Sciences & Related Guides
- Alternative Academic Careers (ALTAC) Guide
- Appreciative Inquiry & Positive Psychology Resources
- F1000Workspace Guide
- Fogarty Global Health Fellowship Poster Resources
- Implicit Bias Resources
- Qualitative Research Resources
- So You Want to Be a Librarian?
- Writing in the Health Sciences
Health Sciences Library
335 S. Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7585
(Google Maps for directions)
DeStressMonday.org Breathing GIF's & Meditations
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Breathe with the shape6 gifs to help you relax
Anatomy & Physiology Databases
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e-AnatomyThis anatomy reference & teaching tool displays labeled body parts using multiple imaging modalities (MRI, CT) in a sequential, slice by slice manner. Clinical cases are available.
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Primal Anatomy.tvGeneral & regional anatomical modules including 3D views, clinical text, dissection slides and videos, MRI correlations, biomechanics animations, and self-quizzes; includes focii on Head & Neck, Dental, Spine, Hand & Shoulder, Knee, Abdomen & Thorax, Clinical & Surgical Anatomy, Sports Anatomy, Anatomy Trains for massage, Pelvic Floor, Chiropractic & Acupuncture, etc.
Point of Care Databases
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Facts & Comparisons e-AnswersDrug information, interactions, herbal information, and patient medication handouts are seamlessly updated and can be customized; includes Drug Facts and Comparisons, Drug Interaction FactsTM, The Review of Natural Products and Med Facts: Patient Information.
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Micromedex (On Campus Only)Search for drug information by drug, disease, or toxicology. Additional tools (accessed via top tabs) provide information about drug interactions; IV compatibility; drug ID; and drug comparisons. NeoFax provides pediatric drug information. Use mobile instructions for off-campus access.
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Natural MedicinesEvidence-based information about complementary and alternative therapies including herbal remedies and supplements, with validated rating scales and grades to quickly evaluate quality; comprehensive monographs designed to facilitate clinical decision making. Includes content drawn from the former Natural Standard and Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits available.
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Red Book : the report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (AAP)Resource from the AAP offering vaccine information & schedules; pediatric infectious disease image collection; information and images on the manifestations, etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of more than 200 childhood infectious diseases; etc. Includes access to the 2015 Spanish edition, the Libro Rojo.
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UpToDateClinical resource specifically designed to answer the clinical questions that arise in daily practice and to do so quickly and easily so that it can be used right at the point of care for a broad range of hospital and medical specialties.
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VisualDxA point-of-care visual diagnostic clinical decision support system including more than 17,000 dermatology, oral pathology, ophthalmology, public health, drug reaction, and other images; differential builder, travel info, mobile app available. Enter a travel destination to see all currently endemic diseases and/or outbreaks.
A to Z Databases
- browse by title
- browse by subject
- search by database name
New PubMed Resources
Always access PubMed from our library website.
For New PubMed platform (5/2020)
- Quick Tip sheet:
- To find full text, use the Find at UNC buttons when you click on a specific citation.
- Here is further UNC information for finding the full text: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/full-text
- Quick Tour Interactive PubMed Tutorials (click on "Quick Tours" to select the ones you want or use the list below). These are short, interactive tutorials that walk you through the basics of how to use PubMed for the most common tasks).
- Clinical Queries Quick Tour: find the latest treatments for a disease or a disorder
- Click on PubMed from HSL Quick Links (below search box).
- Then, scroll down to "Find" column and select Clinical Queries
- Search by topic tutorial
- Subject search: how it works:
- how automatic term mapping and explosion enhance your PubMed search.
- Save searches and set email alerts:
- Find articles by author
- Find article by citation (or parts of one):
- Find articles by journal
- Clinical Queries Quick Tour: find the latest treatments for a disease or a disorder
- New PubMed FAQ and User Guide:
For additional assistance, HSL’s Ask Us is ready and able to help
Learn More about Using Databases
Don't forget, Ask Us when you have difficulty finding what you're looking for in a database.
Don't forget, many databases have a link to help files as part of their search screens.
Boolean Basics for Searching
Boolean searching helps you find less (narrows) or find more (broadens) results when you search in many databases and Web search engines. Boolean searching depends on the use of three terms: AND, OR, and NOT. Enter these terms in ALL CAPS because many search engines are case sensitive for these terms.
Full Text Articles via Find@UNC
Includes Find@UNC in PubMed and what to do when the article is not online via Find@UNC.
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CINAHL & PubMed Searching & Navigating (Eastern Michigan U. Library)CINAHL and PubMed are two of the most widely used databases in the Health Sciences. CINAHL and PubMed are often searched for similar material, so this guide presents concepts essential to both. The content is broken down into small chunks, designed to accommodate the busiest schedules as well as provide easy reference.
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Sample PsycINFO Search on EbscoHOST (YouTube)This is a sample search of PsycINFO on the EBSCOhost platform. Uses a search example question to illustrate how you can use the elements of a question to build a search with the thesaurus.
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APA Database on EbscoHOST Training Videos (YouTube)Additional videos for UNC APA databases: PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PsycTESTS, PsycCRITIQUES.
For help using the New PubMed platform (5/2020), see New PubMed Resource Box.
PubMed resources below are being updated but still have useful information demonstrated using the original PubMed platform.
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Searching New PubMedCreated by HSL clinical librarians, this guide provides a way to quickly review the basic PubMed search skills needed to answer clinical questions.
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Scopus TutorialsBasic online tutorials.
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Scopus Quick Reference GuideDownloadable
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Embase Quick User Guidedownloadable
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Web of Science Group Training PortalIncludes Web of Science, InCites, EndNote, Publons, and Kopernio
Find @ UNC
Click on the 
button in database results to:
- Go directly to most online articles
- Export article citations to Endnote or to formats for other reference managers
- Use Google Scholar or the Google Scholar Button browser add-in to find free full text.
- Search the UNC-CH Library Catalog to find the print journal
- Send an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request if the journal is not owned by UNC-CH
Aids for Organizing Your Search
Use this guide to help visualize and plan your search:
- From Purdue Libraries Creating a Search Strategy Guide: Constructing a Search Statement Worksheet (.pdf download).
Use this log to keep your search organized and to document your search strategy for reporting: