Define or refine a research topic. Locate experts for consultation, collaboration or referral. Avoid or defend against possible litigation. Provide suitable information for patients and families. Understand professional and policy concerns affecting Health Care generally and their specialty in particular.
Databases usually are the product of some professional society, interest group or government agency.
Define the scope, that is, determine the subject areas to be covered. Devise a useful Unit Record for the items in the database so that all items are treated in the same way. The Unit Record is a representation of the original item. It contains information about the original, such as title, authorship, and language. The Unit record is composed of independent but related portions called fields.