How to Cite UpToDate: A Complete Guide for Researchers and Students
Understanding how to cite UpToDate correctly is essential for academic writing and evidence-based practice. As one of the most trusted clinical decision support resources, UpToDate is frequently referenced in medical research, nursing papers, and healthcare publications. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the proper citation formats for UpToDate in APA, MLA, AMA, and other major citation styles, complete with examples and expert tips.
Table of Contents
- Why Properly Citing UpToDate Matters
- General Rules for Citing UpToDate
- How to Cite UpToDate in APA Style
- How to Cite UpToDate in MLA Style
- How to Cite UpToDate in AMA Style
- How to Cite UpToDate in Chicago Style
- Expert Tips for Citing UpToDate
- Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Why Properly Citing UpToDate Matters
Citing sources correctly is fundamental to academic integrity and professional writing. When you learn how to cite UpToDate properly, you:
- Give credit to the original authors and contributors
- Allow readers to locate your sources easily
- Strengthen your arguments with credible references
- Avoid plagiarism accusations
- Meet publication requirements for journals and academic institutions
General Rules for Citing UpToDate
Before diving into specific citation styles, here are some universal guidelines for how to cite UpToDate:
Essential Information to Include
- Author(s) – Typically listed at the top of the UpToDate article
- Article title – The specific topic you’re referencing
- Publication date – Found in the “Literature review current through” date
- Retrieval date – When you accessed the content (important for online sources)
- URL – The direct link to the article
Special Considerations for UpToDate
- UpToDate content is continuously updated – always include your access date
- Some styles treat UpToDate as a database rather than a website
- If no individual author is listed, you may use “UpToDate” as the corporate author
How to Cite UpToDate in APA Style (7th Edition)
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is commonly used in nursing, psychology, and social sciences. Here’s how to cite UpToDate in APA format:
Basic APA Format for UpToDate
Author, A. A. (Year). Article title. In UpToDate. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
APA Citation Example
Smith, J. R., & Johnson, M. L. (2023). Treatment of hypertension in adults. In UpToDate. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-hypertension-in-adults
Reference List Entry
When no individual author is listed, use the corporate author:
UpToDate. (2023). Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/diagnosis-of-type-2-diabetes-mellitus
How to Cite UpToDate in MLA Style (9th Edition)
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is often used in humanities. Here’s how to cite UpToDate in MLA format:
Basic MLA Format for UpToDate
Author(s). “Article Title.” UpToDate, Wolters Kluwer, Day Month Year of publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
MLA Citation Example
Lee, Susan M., and David K. Wong. “Management of Pediatric Asthma.” UpToDate, Wolters Kluwer, 10 May 2023, www.uptodate.com/contents/management-of-pediatric-asthma. Accessed 15 June 2023.
How to Cite UpToDate in AMA Style (11th Edition)
The American Medical Association (AMA) style is standard for medical writing. Here’s how to cite UpToDate in AMA format:
Basic AMA Format for UpToDate
Author(s). Article title. UpToDate. Year. URL. Accessed Month Day, Year.
AMA Citation Example
Wilson JF, Brown DL. Acute coronary syndrome: Terminology and classification. UpToDate. 2023. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-coronary-syndrome-terminology-and-classification. Accessed June 15, 2023.
How to Cite UpToDate in Chicago Style
Chicago style offers two citation systems. Here’s how to cite UpToDate in both:
Notes-Bibliography System (Humanities)
1. Author First Name Last Name, “Article Title,” UpToDate, Month Day, Year, URL.
Author-Date System (Sciences)
(Author Last Name Year)
Reference List: Author Last Name, First Name. Year. “Article Title.” UpToDate. Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.
Expert Tips for Citing UpToDate
Follow these professional recommendations when learning how to cite UpToDate:
- Always check your institution’s or publisher’s specific requirements
- Verify author names – some UpToDate articles have multiple contributors
- Include the most recent “Literature review current through” date
- Use permalinks rather than temporary session URLs
- Consider saving PDF