Accessing the scientific literature. The reality of virtual scholarship
R. B. Birrer and M. Doherty
Department of Family Practice, Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn, USA.
The age-honored practice of plowing through the Index Medicus in a good
medical library to meander through citations for treasured finds is an
anachronism. Today, clinicians have the astonishing capacity to bring to
bear existing knowledge almost effortlessly. Virtual scholarship makes
available up-to-date medical citations and their abstracts. There can be
access around the clock on any topic in the office, at the bedside, or from
home. Computerized searches of the medical literature promote directed
continuing education and may enhance clinical care of patients.
