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RWJMS Pre-Clerkship Resources

Evaluating Background Resources

Tips for Writing Learning Objectives

Resources for Locating Background Information

Locate background information online using library resources such as e-textbooks, evidence summaries, drug directories, guides to diagnostic tests, and review articles.

 

What is background information?

When you need general information about a disease, condition, symptom, or disease process, you should ask background questions. 

Examples: What causes migraines?  What are the available treatments for type 2 diabetes?

Background information will provide you with basic information and is not appropriate for answering clinical questions about a specific patient.

Background questions are best answered by medical textbooks, book chapters, and narrative review articles.