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searching cks efficiently: operators, shortcuts, and the 30-second ‘find the right section’ method

a non-clinical playbook for finding what you need in cks fast: search operators, in-page navigation habits, and section-first reading.

The Bottom Line

  • Most ‘CKS searching’ failures are actually query problems: too broad, wrong synonym, or no intent label.
  • Use a section-first approach: jump to the relevant module (assessment vs management vs medicines considerations) instead of scrolling.
  • Build 3 default search patterns you can reuse under pressure.
This page is non-clinical and purely operational: how to find the right CKS section quickly and reliably. The aim is to reduce wasted minutes, improve confidence, and standardise your personal search behaviour so it becomes automatic under pressure.
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Pattern 1 — Site-restricted search (fastest for niche wording)

Use a site-restricted search when CKS internal search feels fuzzy: type your query as “site:cks.nice.org.uk [topic/keyword]”. This reduces noise and tends to surface the most relevant topic pages quickly.
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Pattern 2 — Two-synonym method (reduce miss hits)

Search two synonyms back-to-back (e.g., common term + formal term). Clinicians often search with colloquial names; CKS topic titles may use formal terminology. Running two variants is faster than guessing.
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Pattern 3 — Section-first navigation (don’t read the page)

Once you’re on a topic, your default should be “jump to the relevant section” using the contents/anchors. The goal is to find the exact subsection you need, not to read linearly.
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A 30-second ‘Find the section’ routine

1) Confirm you’re in the correct topic; 2) open contents/anchors; 3) jump to the section that matches your intent; 4) use in-page find for your exact phrase; 5) capture link + date if you might need to justify later.
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When not to use CKS

If you need the national recommendation rationale, use NICE guidance. If you need medicine-level detail, use BNF/BNFC. Your speed improves when you choose the tool role correctly.

Speed comes from repeatability

The aim is to standardise your own behaviour: same starting page, same search patterns, same jump-to-section habit. That consistency is what converts ‘searching’ into ‘finding’.
SourceCKS Topics A–Z (official)
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SourceRelated: The 90-Second Clinician Search Protocol (iatroX)
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SourceRelated: NICE CKS — the 60-second workflow (iatroX)
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