Finding and managing sources

This branch covers obtaining and retaining material for a medical document, divided by the source task: literature searching, specialist retrieval, interviewing, routine reference checks and source management. It leaves document planning and drafting, evidence appraisal, final claim verification, systematic-review methods, AI-assisted retrieval and publishing access models to neighbouring concerns.

• Searching the literature — subject orientation, search construction, tool assessment, full-text access and keeping current
• Specialist sources beyond the literature databases — grey literature, drug-development records, bioethics resources and reusable images
• Interviewing for medical writing — preparation, questions, rapport, listening, patient interviews and accurate recording
• The writer’s reference shelf — books, lookup sites, curated corpora, glossaries and online writing guidance
• Keeping and citing sources — organising material, reference software, citation, attribution and retraction checks