Public Policy Issues in the Medical Literature

By definition, "public policy" manifests the common sense and common conscience of the citizens . . . and is applied to matters of public health, safety, and welfare. The medical literature is closely tied to these issues and is often a forgotten resource for individuals seeking information on public policy topics. The paper describes the major indexes and databases that can be used for finding pertinent information in the medical literature. Also included is a list of journals indexed that often included public policy papers. Major topics that involve public policy issues have been outlined. Finally, material availability and economic considerations are discussed.