Source of medical literature

As a medic, I am routinely asked for medical information on a regular basis. I have referred some of my coworkers to this source but have had a brain fart and realized that I don't think I've referred ETS people to it....sorry....

Several of the hospitals that I frequent have 'medical libraries'. Not only are they a great source of definitive medical information (just ask the medical librarian for somed help if you have trouble finding stuff---they have access to some things you never knew exsisted).....but these hospitals also get rid of 'old' stuff too!

For a specific example....They will sell last years PDR for $15. For those who do not know....it is the Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) It has EVERYTHING you wanted to know about the medicines you take.

How it is supplied....Dosages....effectiveness... It normally costs anywhere from $95-135! Idf you don't mind one that is 2-3 years old then I've seen them for $5. They will also have 'summer specials' of a 'BUCK a BOOK'. I've gotten a 2 year old PDR for $1!!!! Granted some may say something like...how good can a 3 year old PDR be? Well for the most recent 'cutting edge' medicines.....you wouldn't have them. But for the ususal drugs we have and use day to day..it is a great reference. They also have books on nursing care (think longer term care than just first aid) as well as many other types.

Now granted there are books on subjects that (not only do I not have interest in....but hope I never see the subject of it....like pediatric urological cancers) and others like it....they are so far over my head that I can't even understand the synopsis let alone the text.

Hope this helps.

+1 on getting to know your medical librarian if you in any way related to the medical field. I call my scrounger because I can get a computer chip that hasn't been made since the late 80s in a week- these people are gods, they can get articles published in a foriegn journal about some obscure ailment 30 years ago, and can do it in an hour or two. They are half of the intelligence side of medicine.

Funny you should write about this subject, I found my PDR in a pile of garbage just outside a Dr's office that was moving. I walked by this place twice a day and the PDR was about 2 years old when I saw and grabbed it. It pays to pay attention to the garbage that's been put out on the street.

I also try to make the Library Book Sales when they are getting rid of their old books and pubs. That's where I picked up my "National Guardsman Manual", among others.

Having some old books on the shelves has another side effect: friends see the old books that you have and then they give you their old books because they know that you will take care of them. That's how I came into possession of "Fortunes in Formulas" (3rd ed/1935???) with it's foreword by Thomas Alvin Edison. To a proper survivalist, with a pessimistic view of humanity, this book is PRICELESS!!!

There's a lot of medicine-info on this site:

http://www.webmd.com/

I agree but googling turns up a lot of good results too.

Hell, if you type in what a pill says on google you can get results!!

Yes, but there is advantage to a PDR over Mr Google- the PDR just works, no additional infrastructure needed other than light to read by. Google requires a computer, and power, and an internet connection....

Also, if I know which book something is in, so long as I haven't misplaced the book, my shelves are faster than turning a computer on.