2. Explore Your Topic

After thoroughly examining your assignment, now it's time to look for some initial background research on your topic. Look for your topic in Atlas of Pathophysiology to learn more. Your textbook is another good place to find background information. We also recommend the following database:

AAFP Conditions A to Z
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Common conditions, treatments and health tips are presented concisely and informatively. Written for patients to enhance understanding and promote health.
AAFP Conditions A to Z is a handy patient-information tool that’s been written and reviewed by physicians and patient education professionals at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The AAFP is a national medical organization representing more than 93,700 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students. Many are also available in Spanish. Common conditions, treatments and health tips are presented concisely and informatively, and listed alphabetically or cross-searched in STAT!Ref online. Print the information for your patients to enhance understanding and health promotion.

Analyze Your Topic

How

Ask yourself the following questions: How can the condition be prevented?
How can the condition be treated? How prevalent is the condition?

What

Reading a summary to learn more about your topic will help you understand it better. It can also provide you with keywords, specialized vocabulary, and definitions, which will be useful for future searches.

When

If your topic has significant events associated with it, knowing what they are and when they happened will help you choose the best sources to consult. For example: When was the date of discovery? When were treatments discovered? etc.

Where

Sometimes places are important to a topic, knowing the important places associated with your topic will help you choose the best sources to consult. For example, is the condition prevalent in a specific part of the world?