Contact Info:
(312) 427-2737 ext. 729 (Reference)
(312) 427-2737 ext. 710 (Circulation)
Email us at law-library@uic.edu
Links:
Louis L. Biro Law Library Webpage
Library Libguides
Library Hours
Need more help? Reference librarians are available to meet with students in one-on-one sessions (or in small groups) to discuss research strategies, recommend relevant resources or review specific topics of legal research.
Contact law-library@uic.edu with the subject you're researching and when you would like to meet. A librarian will get back to you to set up an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment on the library homepage by clicking "Schedule an Online Research Appointment." We ask that you request your appointment at least 2 days in advance, but remember that you can always stop by the reference desk for immediate help with a quick research question.
The following medical libraries are open to the public:
For a complete list of Illinois Libraries, please consult the National Network of Libraries of Medicine's (NNLM) Illinois State Profile page.
NNLM's Resources for Members of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) also contains links and information on medical libraries located across the country.
Veterans' advocates often need to turn to medical sources to support veterans' disability claims. Advocates who research medical resources can use this knowledge to more effectively communicate with the veterans' doctor(s). Further, advocates as counselors can keep veterans informed by providing medical information about the veterans' medical disorder(s). The medical resources included on this page are organized by Medical Encyclopedias and Reference Materials; Medical Treatises for Attorneys; Studies and Articles; VA Medical Rating Manuals, Disability Questionnaires, and Guides.
Note: The secondary medical sources provided will generally identify the intended audience (e.g., medical practitioners, attorneys, veterans). Some of these medical sources are written for attorneys, medical practitioners, used in disability compensation exams, and others are general reference sources for the public.
Attorney's reference on human anatomy, by June Melloni et al. (2008) (patron access; audience: attorneys and medical practitioners). This illustrated human anatomy provides pictures, short descriptions, and relationships within and between the anatomical systems. This resource could be useful to veterans benefits researchers looking at possible secondary conditions to a service-connected disability.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders : DSM-5-TR (Patron access; audience: medical practitioners). Psychiatric practitioners use the DSM-IV-TR to help diagnose mental disorders and diseases. The DSM-IV-TR may be useful reference for PTSD disability claims and other potential service connected mental disorders and diseases.
Medline Plus (Online Public Access; audience: medical field and the general public). The National Institutes of Health's Medline Plus's goal is to provide the public authorative and current information on medical disorders, treatments, and drugs. Patients and family members can go to this website and access videos and tutorials on medical procedures and treatments. Veterans' advocates can consult Medline Plus to learn about a veterans' medical issues.
Medscape (Online Public Access; audience: medical practitioners). This reference tool has entries on medical diseases/procedures, and also provides tools to help patient treatment (e.g., drug interactor checker). Medscape allows members to sign up, allowing them to customize the site to a particular medical field.
The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (Library Patron Access; audience: medical field). The Merck manual is one of the most common reference materials used by medical practitioners to diagnose and treat disorders.
Attorneys Medical Deskbook, by Dan J. Tennenhouse (4th ed.; available on Westlaw). This legal treatise provides an overview of the medical field, evaluating medical evidence, and handling medical legal issues. This resource is an excellent resource for advocates because it provides advocates with a comprehensive approach to dealing with medical issues (e.g., assessing medical evidence, the medical field's diagnostic approach, specific medical conditions, etc.). Veterans' advocates could use this source to look at how medical reports are evaluated, but should remember to consult veterans' law for different treatment of evidence pertaining to disability and compensation claims.
Lawyers' Medical Cyclopedia of Personal Injuries and Allied Specialties. The Lawyers' medical cyclopedia is a comprehensive treatise that covers the medical field, common medical malpractice legal issues, evaluating medical procedures, treatment plans, and a comprehensive description of injuries and illnesses. The book is designed to assist in litigation of personal injuries and illnesses, but could be utilized to help support a veteran's disability claim.
The internet has helped increase public access to medical articles and studies. These articles and studies could be used in support of a disability and compensation claim.
Disability Questionnaires (Public Internet Access/ audience: advocates, veterans, and medical practitioners). The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a series of questionnaires related to claims for disability. Veterans can request a private doctor or VA treating doctor to fill out a disability questionnaire. These questionnaires can be used to support a veteran's disability claim(s). Veterans' advocates can also use a Disability Questionnaire as a checklist for factors needed for a given medical disorder/injury.
C&P Service Clinician’s Guide. The VA's C&P Service Clinician's Guide was primarily used by VA clinicians conducting disability exams prior to the release of the Disability Questionnaires. The document still serves as a good reference point because the chapters often provide a description of the examination's purpose, an exam overview, disorder factors to consider, and guidance in diagnosing to help the VA compensation and pension rater.