In the rapidly changing landscape of health information, staying current with digital clinical decision support tools is essential. For librarians tasked with supplying evidence-based point-of-care resources, Doody’s Collection Development Monthly (DCDM) has a growing archive of resource reviews and review updates that offer perspective, critique, and detail. What follows are four reviews from DCDM that are especially useful for anyone wanting an introduction or a refresher on these point-of-care and clinical decision support tools, including how they search, update, filter, and present information to clinicians. These are reviews worth reading, if you want richer insight into the tools your institution may already have or is considering. 

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BMJ Best Practice Comorbidities Manager Review 

“The BMJ Best Practice Comorbidities Manager is the first clinical decision support tool with an interactive treatment algorithm that integrates relevant comorbidity treatment information into a treatment plan…Though its integrated topic content is somewhat limited, it promises to be a valuable and instructive tool for supporting safe and comprehensive patient care.” – Andrea Harrow 

DynaMed Review and Review Update 

“DynaMed remains the ultimate go-to resource for answering clinical questions. It features daily updates, self-contained and robust content including images and drug information, evidence-based levels of evidence, and one-click links to the primary literature. DynaMed is a valuable resource for physicians, residents, and medical students, as well as for healthcare organizations and biotech and pharmaceutical companies.” – Shalu Gillum 

ClinicalKey Review and Review Update 

“ClinicalKey is a useful tool for students, physicians, and other healthcare professionals who need an efficient way to search and access relevant clinical information. ClinicalKey is a great option for medical/health sciences libraries that support these healthcare professionals.” – Rebecca Davis 

UpToDate Review and Review Update 

“The concise topic summaries, written by recognized experts in their fields, combined with the opportunity to earn CME credit, make UpToDate a favorite among physicians, particularly residents and fellows.” – Allison Erlinger 

“UpToDate is an excellent point-of-care resource. Even though the evidence is not comprehensive, it is an easy-to-read resource with concise, evidence-based recommendations and suggestions. The program is very transparent about where the evidence is from and how it is graded. The creators take feedback seriously and are updating the program to be as usable and relevant as possible.” – Alison Gehred 

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Staying up to date with Doody’s reviews of these critical resources is important for several reasons. First, digital tools evolve, both individually and collectively, over time. Whether it’s the tool’s features, user interface, content coverage, access options, or filters, reviews on DCDM help librarians keep abreast of what’s changing. Second, these reviews offer librarians a point of comparison between similar resources and provide nuanced justification for acquiring or retaining several similar resources with key differences. Reviews can even jump-start conversations with vendors to ensure you get the right fit for your library. Finally, reviews empower librarians not only to select tools but also educate users on them. Reading the perspectives of colleagues in the field may offer insights and approaches for conversations with faculty, clinicians, and other key stakeholders in the purchasing process. 

If you’re maintaining or building a collection of point-of-care or clinical decision support tools, or even just supporting clinicians in locating the best evidence swiftly, these DCDM reviews are formidable resources. They don’t tell you which tool to pick. Instead, they help you ask informed questions, assess what matters in your library, and stay aware of what’s changing.