15 Medical Research Strategies for Legal Nurse Consultant Jobs

Research is an important service Certified Legal Nurse Consultants provide to attorneys. The CLNC® Pros use these 15 strategies for researching legal nurse consultant jobs:

1. Screen the case and communicate with the attorney before you start researching. Understanding the essence of the case helps you focus the research process efficiently on the relevant injuries, treatment protocols and causation issues.
2. Don’t reinvent the wheel. If you’ve previously researched the topic, apply what’s relevant and update with new information.
3. Provide only authoritative references that are consistent with the recognized standards of care (SOC) and evidence-based nursing and medicine. Do not quote references written for consumers as they are usually not recognized as authoritative.
4. Review the standards and websites of the medical and nursing associations which are recognized as highly authoritative. For example, The American Society of Anesthesiologists publishes journal articles and standards relevant to PACU issues. The references cited in the bibliography of association standards are also useful. Also review relevant and authoritative texts, peer-reviewed journal articles, and authoritative websites and internet resources.
5. Focus on double-blind studies that are peer reviewed. In double-blind peer review, the identity of both the author and reviewer is kept hidden. If the author’s identity is unknown to the reviewer, it will prevent the reviewer from forming any bias. Peer review establishes the validity of research based upon the expert knowledge of other researchers in the discipline.
6. Reference primary sources when possible over secondary sources. Primary sources are the original source of the information before interpretation by another author. For example, a primary scientific source would come from the person or institution that performed the research, rather than a textbook entry about the research.
7. Create a specific list of keywords and concepts you will research in the databases and search engines. Keep your beginning search simple, then do a more complex search. Sometimes the simple things are the most pertinent to the issues in the case. Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Ask yourself what you really need to find, verify or compare. Recognize when enough is enough and move on to applying the research to the case.
8. Research specifically. For example: Research the mechanics of shoulder dystocia in term deliveries. If this search does not give you the information you want then broaden the search. For example: Research shoulder dystocia in term deliveries. Researching specifically helps to avoid becoming overwhelmed by too much information.
9. When searching for a primary subject, such as diabetes, remember to search at the same time for related issues relevant to the case, such as pressure injuries. This helps you avoid duplicating your efforts later.
10. Query research phrases in different ways to see which result is closest to what you’re looking for.
11. Access relevant references within the last 7 years. It is acceptable to reference an older reference if it is well-known and cited in more current references. Be sure the reference is not newer than the year of the incident for analyzing SOC issues.
12. Cross reference different sources to make sure the information is consistent and up to date. Always reference more than one source for credibility.
13. Check the bibliography of journal articles for additional references. Make a list of the authors who are most widely published or referenced. This list could provide additional references and potential testifying experts.
14. Note the medications and medical products used. Then search for any drug interactions or medical device incidents that could have contributed to the alleged injuries. Systematically reviewing this information keeps you from overlooking any potential product liability issues resulting from defective drugs or products. Research the company sponsored websites.
15. Provide copies of the references to the attorney and highlight relevant information in the article to expedite the attorney’s review and to emphasize what is significant.

Use these 15 medical research strategies for your next legal nurse consultant job. Thanks to Suzanne Arragg, RN, BSN, CDONA/LTC, CLNC, Dale Barnes, RN, MSN, PhN, CLNC, Marcia Bell, RN, BSN, CAPA, CLNC, Kaylin Chase, RN, BSN, CNLCP, CLNC, Dorene Goldstein, RNC, BSN, CLNC, Sandra Higelin, RN, MSN, CNS, CWCN, CLNC, Caryn Jaffe, RN, CLNC, Camille H. Joyner, RN, BSN, CCM, CLNC, Robert Malaer, RN, MSN, FN-CSp., SANE, CNLCP, CALM, CLNC and Michelle Neal, RN, BSN, CLNC for sharing these 15 medical research strategies.

Success Is Yours,

P.S. Comment here and share your favorite research strategies for legal nurse consultant jobs.

P.P.S. For more on medical research, see the 7/12/22 blog 16 Medical-Related Databases for Researching Legal Nurse Consultant Jobs with Precision and the 7/19/22 blog 61 Medical-Related Websites for Your Legal Nurse Consultant Jobs.