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Evidence-Based Practice Resources

Background Resources

Background resources provide an overview of a disease or condition, including what is generally known and accepted. 

Core medical textbooks and review-type journal articles (otherwise known as "narrative reviews") are important background resources. Make sure to note the publication date for background resources -- knowledge of diseases, conditions and treatments changes frequently. 

PubMed Tips:

  • To find answers to general background questions, apply the "review" article type filter to PubMed results.
  • Although PubMed is freely available, access to many full-text articles is not.
  • Use the special PubMed link for UC Davis, which enables "Get it at UC" links to display in search results.