Free Resources

The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases that provide high-quality, independent evidence to support informed decision-making. 

• Cochrane Library

DermaCompass is a freely accessible database containing specialized dermatological information on skin diseases, active ingredients, and treatment options.

• DermaCompass

The DBIS Database System is a directory of databases similar to the EZB for journals. It allows you to filter specifically for free medical databases, which is valuable for systematic research. Link to freely available medical journals: https://dbis.uni-regensburg.de/ALL/browse/subjects/26/?q=&availability-filter-free=on&filter-subjects%5B%5D=Medizin&filter-publication-date-start=&filter-publication-date-end=&filter-report-date-start=&filter-report-date-end=&filter-entry-date-start=&sort_by=1&ps=25&p=1

• DBIS Datenbank-System

The DOAJ is an international directory of open-access scientific journals from all disciplines that undergo editorial quality control.

• Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) 

Europe PMC is a freely accessible archive of biomedical and health science literature, including full-text articles, preprints, and research data (europepmc.org). 

• Europe PMC

Epistemonikos is a comprehensive database of evidence-based health information. It is considered one of the world’s largest sources of systematic reviews and primary studies relevant to health policy decisions.

• Epistemonikos

Medical Graphics is a commercial provider offering free medical illustrations ideal for theses requiring high-quality graphics.

• Medical Graphics 

MedlinePlus is a free information portal from the U.S. National Library of Medicine that provides reliable health information for healthcare professionals and patients.

• MedlinePlus

MedPix is a free, open-access image database from the NIH containing over 12,000 patient cases, 9,000 clinical topics, and around 59,000 medical images for educational purposes.

• MedPix

OpenEvidence is a medical search platform that uses artificial intelligence similar to ChatGPT to provide evidence-based results. Physicians use it to support clinical decision-making.

• OpenEvidence

PubMed Central (PMC) is a free archive of full-text biomedical articles operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH/NLM), similar to PubMed.

• PubMed Central (PMC)

RefHunter is a tool for targeted reference searches, which is particularly useful for planning and conducting systematic literature reviews.

• RefHunter

The TRIP Database is a freely accessible search engine for evidence-based medical literature. It allows users to search content from guidelines, Cochrane Reviews, and clinical trials all in one place.

• TRIP Database 

The Cochrane Handbook is the standard reference for the methodology of conducting and reporting systematic reviews, and it is available online for free.

• Cochrane Handbook

This free online course on Coursera covers the fundamentals of conducting systematic reviews and is intended for researchers of all experience levels.

• Coursera - Systematic Review 

INPLASY is an international registry portal for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols with a quick registration process.

• INPLASY

The MeSH Browser, developed by the National Library of Medicine, is an official reference tool for the Medical Subject Headings vocabulary. It is useful for planning controlled search queries.

• MeSH Browser

MeSH on Demand is an NLM tool that suggests relevant MeSH terms based on the text entered (e.g., abstracts), which makes indexing easier.

• MeSH on Demand 

PRISMA offers standardized guidelines, checklists, and flowcharts to ensure the transparent reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

• PRISMA

PROSPERO is the international registry for protocols of systematic reviews in the fields of health and social sciences and serves to prevent duplication.

• PROSPERO

Risk of Bias.info is a web-based tool from the Cochrane Group for the structured assessment of risk of bias in primary studies.

• Risk of Bias.info 

TERA Tools is a collection of web-based tools to support evidence-based research, including tools for abstract screening and data extraction.

• TERA Tools

The Yale MeSH Analyzer analyzes PubMed citations and extracts the MeSH terms used in them to help refine a search strategy.

• Yale MeSH Analyzer

e-Campus Steiermark is a digital learning platform for Styrian universities that provides access to online courses and educational offerings. 

• e-Campus Steiermark

OERhub.at is an Austrian platform for open educational resources from higher education and science that aggregates freely available teaching and learning materials.

• OERhub.at

Open Science is a nonprofit scientific association that promotes dialogue between science and the public. It does so by making the life sciences visible, tangible, and understandable, and by enabling people to form their own opinions on these topics. This independent organization provides well-researched information, organizes events and projects, runs the hands-on Vienna Open Lab, offers teaching materials, and helps researchers communicate their work.

• Open Science

The Amboss Podcast covers clinically relevant topics in a concise audio format. It is intended for medical students and physicians.

• Amboss Podcast

Kenhub is a freely accessible (partially subscription-based) anatomy learning platform with atlas images, quizzes, and educational videos that specifically supports self-study.

• Kenhub

Labor & Diagnose is a freely accessible online reference work on laboratory medical parameters, their reference values, and their diagnostic significance.

• Labor & Diagnose

MEDch is a digital learning portal with medical educational content, including topics in biochemistry and pharmacology.

• MEDch

Pathorama is a learning platform for pathology with a focus on educational content that can be useful for understanding pathological processes and findings.

• Pathorama

Sectional Anatomy is an interactive learning platform that supports the study of cross-sectional anatomy using radiological images.

• Sectional Anatomy

Cochrane Evidence Essentials is a series of four free online learning modules written from the perspective of healthcare consumers. These modules were developed in collaboration with patients and caregivers. The modules introduce evidence-based medicine and systematic reviews.

• Cochrane Evidence Essentials

Cochrane Interactive Learning covers all steps of the systematic review process across several modules. Topics include formulating the research question and study protocol, conducting a literature search, assessing risk of bias, performing meta-analyses, applying the GRADE method, and writing reports. Each module includes animations, videos, interactive exercises, and reading materials. The first module is free for all registered users.

• Cochrane Interactive Learning 

This Johns Hopkins University (Coursera) course introduces the methodology of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials. Topics covered include formulating research questions, defining inclusion and exclusion criteria, conducting literature searches, extracting data, and assessing risk of bias.

• Introduction to Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 

The PubMed User Guide is a written reference manual for all PubMed search functions, filters, and features. It is available online for free.

• PubMed User Guide

This self-paced, freely accessible course provides a step-by-step guide through all the methodological phases of a systematic review or systematic mapping. It covers everything from the research question and protocol to the literature search, screening, data extraction, synthesis, and final report.

• Systematic Review and Mapping Methods Course

This free course from the Campbell Collaboration and the Open Learning Initiative offers a thorough introduction to scientific literature reviews. Topics include problem formulation, searching for relevant literature, coding studies, and meta-analysis.

• Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis

The WHO training package contains resources for conducting systematic reviews and other synthesis methods and covers, among other things, the key characteristics of various study designs, the fundamentals of research questions, and the ethical principles of evidence generation. 

• WHO EMRO

This multi-part tutorial series from the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library at Yale University provides a step-by-step guide to the process of systematic literature searches—from developing a search strategy to searching the gray literature. The series is freely accessible and is intended for anyone who wishes to conduct a methodologically transparent and reproducible search.

• Systematic Searches Tutorial Series