Open access resources
Open access databases
While you are at NAU, you will have access to a wide range of academic databases; however, the vast majority of these resources come with large, institutional costs, and are not feasible for individual consumers.
Thankfully, there are a growing number of databases and online resources that are free to the public.
The following list provides a few of the top-tier options. Before that, one note: if you ever need to access a paper for research or personal use, it never hurts to email the author/s and ask for a draft copy.
- AOTA: List of OT JournalsUse this list, published by AOTA, to locate open access (ie: free) peer-reviewed journals that focus on occupational therapy and related disciplines.
- BioMed Central (BMC)BioMed Central is a repository of open access journals that focus on biomedicine.
- Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)The DOAJ is a community-curated repository providing access to over 13,000 journals across a range of disciplines, including the health sciences.
- Free Medical JournalsFMJ is similar to DOAJ, but focuses specifically on open access biomedical journals.
- Google BooksGoogle Books is another, easy-to-use option when you need quick information but not an entire book. Just use the "search in book" feature to find terms that most closely fit with your research needs.
- Google ScholarGoogle Scholar doesn't always direct to open access resources, but it is still valuable because it can find papers in free "institutional repositories" which might otherwise cost money to access.
- National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)NARIC "is the library of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research". It houses publications, a knowledgebase, and disability resources.
- OT Seeker (partial access)OT Seeker is an open access database focused specifically on occupational therapy. Not all sources are free to access the full text.
- PEDroPEDro is a highly regarded, open access database focused on physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
- Public Library of Science (PLOS)PLOS is a library of multiple databases, with specific focus in biology, medicine, and the health sciences.
- PubMedThere are many papers indexed in PubMed which cost money to access, but it is still worth searching, especially because you can at least view the abstracts to all papers, regardless of cost.
- PubMed Central (PMC)PubMed Central is an extensive, "free full-text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM)."
- Scimago Journal RankingsScimago is an open access journal rankings website which you can use to locate and access open access journals related to your discipline.
- Trip (partial access)Trip is not fully open access, but it is still useful for nonpaying users. Trip functions similar to Cochrane and other "best evidence" databases, in that it delivers information ranked by its level of evidence.
Consumer health
Whether for yourself or for a patient, at some point, you will likely need to find consumer health information that is easy to read, understand, and share. Thankfully, there are several high quality consumer health websites on the Internet.
- CDCThe CDC has a wealth of information for patients and the public, related to pathology, prevention, treatment, and awareness.
- Harvard Health Medical Dictionary of Health TermsThis open access database of medical terminology is provided free-of-charge from Harvard Medical School.
- Informing HealthInforming Health is a consumer health search engine designed to point members of the public to credible, readable health information.
- Mayo Clinic Patient Care and Health InformationMayo Clinic has a robust website devoted to accurate consumer health information.
- Medical Library Association Guide for Health ConsumersThe MLA has a small series of pages dedicated to helping consumers read and assess health information that they find online.
- MedlinePlusMedlinePlus is one of the most versatile and well-known consumer health databases available. It is overseen by the NIH / NLM, and has information covering a range of health needs.
- Mentalhealth.gov"MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information."
- Move Forward PTMove Forward PT is a public-facing side of APTA, and provides access to consumer health information related to diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and awareness, specific to physical care and rehabilitation.
- National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)NAMI provides a small set of public resources dedicated to mental illness and behavioral health.
- PubMed Central (PMC)PubMed Central is a useful, open access database for patients and persons who have a more advanced level of confidence when reading health information.
- Transgender Affirming-Healthcare (NAU)This NAU PBC Library website page is dedicated to providing consumer and provider health information related to gender affirming care for transgender and gender nonconforming persons.
Public libraries
While graduates of NAU can no longer access the paid portions of NAU's databases, many public libraries provide access to similar databases that would normally cost money to access.
The Phoenix Public Library System (17 branches) and public libraries throughout Maricopa County supply individual patrons with a range of e-resources. All you need is a public library card!
For a rundown of the resources available, check out the following links:
- Chandler Public Library eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in the Chandler Public Library system.
- Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library System eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in the Flagstaff / Coconino Public Library System.
- Glendale Public Library eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in the Glendale Public Library System.
- Maricopa County Library District eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in a library associated with the Maricopa County Library District (17 branches).
- Mesa Public Library eResourcesA complete list of eResources available to patrons with library cards in the Mesa Public Library system.
- Mohave County Library System eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in Mohave County.
- Phoenix Public Library eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in the Phoenix Public Library system.
- Scottsdale Public Library eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in the Scottsdale Public Library system.
- Tempe Public Library eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in the Tempe Public Library system.
- Tucson Pima County Public Library eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in Tucson and Pima County.
- Yuma Public Library eResourcesA complete list of resources available to patrons with library cards in the Yuma Public Library system.