The database contains more than 10,000 clinical topics, more than 32,000 figures, more than 5,800 information sheets about medicines and more than 1,500 information sheets for patients. That information has been compiled by more than 6,500 authors.
Integration in UZ Gent’s Electronic Patient File (EPD)
Doctors can click on the button with the UpToDate logo from the file. Other users select Extra in the menu. UpToDate can also be consulted via a free mobile app. And unlimited access is available from any location (remote access).
Why search in UpToDate?
The database provides you with assistance when taking clinical decisions at the point of care.
How to search in UpToDate?
On the basis of a clinical case, you can search a suitable topic in UpToDate.
There are two ways of doing this:
– On the start screen enter one or more terms relating to your patient’s diagnosis. The AutoComplete function suggests keywords and topics.
– Via Contents in the navigation bar, select a specialty and then a topic.
You can Collapse the list of search results so that only the titles of the topic remain visible. If you decide to Expand the list of search results, then you can see where your search term(s) appear and the links that have been clicked on most in the topic will be visible.
Slide the mouse over ‘>’ to the right of a search result to see a topic outline.
At the top you can put your list of search results through one or more filters:
– All: standard
– Adult: only adults
– Paediatric: only children
– Patient: only information sheets for patients
– Graphics: only videos and figures (graphics, diagrams, photos)
When opening a topic, the Summary & Recommendations part is often viewed first.
UpToDate presents Graded recommendations. According to the GRADE method used, the recommendations will receive a score that reflects both the strength of the recommendation – (1) strong or (2) weak – and the level of supporting scientific evidence – (A) high, (B) average or (C) low quality.
Doses that are proposed in a topic can be recalculated via Calculators in the navigation bar according to the correct standard (British-American vs. international) and according to the patient’s needs.
All topics are supported by references for which you can consult abstracts or full text articles in PubMed via links in the reference list at the bottom.
Authors and editors are mentioned per topic at the top. The Peer Review Process link shows peer reviewers per speciality, since every topic gets a blind peer review.
For each topic you can check how long ago scientific literature on this topic was incorporated and when the last update occurred.
Using your personal login you can add a topic to your favourites (Bookmark) and consult this from any location on your mobile app.
Via a topic you can click through on the name of a medicine or herbal preparation and gain access to the Lexicomp database (in a separate tab). There you can analyse the interaction between different substances. You also have direct access to Lexicomp by selecting Drug Interactions in the navigation bar.
Enter several substances in the item list and click on Analyze. Letters will then indicate the risk level of administering these substances concomitantly.
By clicking on one substance in the item list, you will see all interactions relating to this substance.
UpToDate contains tens of thousands of graphics: videos, graphics, diagrams, photos.
For lesson plans, for example, you can copy these directly via the Export to PowerPoint link into PowerPoint. Using your personal login you can add a figure or video to your favourites (Bookmark) and consult them via your mobile app from any location.
UpToDate provides more than 1,500 information sheets for patients, written on a basic (The Basics) and a more advanced (Beyond the Basics) level. If you select Patient Education in the navigation bar at the top, you will find the sheets sorted by category. The basic texts are laid out in the form of questions and answers. There are related topics at the bottom of each sheet.
An information sheet can be sent via email to a patient via Share in the bar above the text.
What’s in a name? Every effort is made to keep the information in UpToDate up-to-date. How can you stay informed of the updates?
In the navigation bar at the top you can select any of the following:
– What’s New: the most important updates, by speciality. If you are logged in personally, an orange dot appears for topics in your favourites that have been updated.
– Practice Changing Updates: the critical updates, by speciality. These updates have an impact on the care and recommendations that a patient will receive in the future.
If you have a personal login (see: My UpToDate), you can install the free mobile app for iOS or Android. This will provide you with unlimited access to UpToDate from any location (remote access). You can link a maximum of 2 devices to your personal account. You will have to log in from the UZ campus every 90 days.
Normal use of UpToDate is possible via the Ghent University Hospital account. There is also an option to create a personal login.
What are the benefits?
– You can add topics and graphics to your favourites (Bookmark). By using the free mobile app, you can consult this information anytime and anywhere. Updates of topics added to your favourites are indicated with an orange dot.
– You can link a maximum of 2 devices to your personal account via MyUpToDate.
– You can earn accreditation points for the NIHDI training programme. For every topic researched, you will receive half a CME accreditation point, which you must claim within two years.
After logging in, click on CME [number of points that have not yet been claimed] and indicate the month(s) for which you would like to cash in your points. Answer a few questions about the topics that you have looked at and click on Save. Tick Submit next to the relevant month(s) and select Continue. You can also complete a questionnaire with feedback about UpToDate (optional). Select Submit. Under Print Certificate you can view or print a pdf of the certificate. You can view a summary of your submitted and approved applications at any time.
Additional information/courses organised by the KCGG
Find an answer to your question in the UpToDate Support Knowledge Center, view the quick reference card, or follow the e-learning modules Getting started with UpToDate and Exploring UpToDate features: Editorial process, What’s New and Patient leaflets.
You can contact the KCGG at any time if you have any questions about UpToDate.
You will find a list of the scheduled courses about UpToDate here. If there is no course in the near future or you are interested in a customised course, please contact the KCGG.