The Library and
The Center for Knowledge Management
Evidence-Based Nursing Practice:
Literature Search
Min-Lin E. Fang, MLIS
Education and Information Consultant for
Nursing and Social and Behavioral
Sciences
415-476-3397
Fang@library.ucsf.edu
April 13, 2015
The Library and the
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Objectives
After completing this lecture, you should be able to:
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April 13, 2015
Effectively find best evidence from PubMed, CINAHL
and Cochrane
The Library and the
Center for Knowledge Management
Nursing Subject Guide in the CLE
http://tinyurl.com/ucsfnursing
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Key databases and Cross-database Search
EBM resources
Nursing Theories
Test & Measurement
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E-Researves/Comp Exam Examples
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April 13, 2015
Citation Management (EndNote vs RefWorks)
Online Tutorials
Get Help
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Hierarchy of Evidence
(Evidence Pyramid)
Source: Med Research Library Brooklyn
April 13, 2015
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Key Databases
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April 13, 2015
PubMed@UCSF
CINAHL
CoChrane Library
PsycINFO (psychology)
SocAbstracts (sociology)
The Library and the
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Asking Searchable, Answerable
Questions Using PICO Model
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P patient
I intervention
C comparison
O Outcomes
In African American female adolescents with
hepatitis (P), what is the effect of
acetaminophen (I) on liver function (O)
compared with ibuprofen (C)?
Source: Research Utilization course handout in the CLE
April 13, 2015
The Library and the
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Development of Search Strategies
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Formulate the question; Break your question into
multiple concepts
Locate the proper MeSH/thesaurus for each
concept; Use AND to connect different concepts;
Use OR to connect similar concepts
Refine your search
Too Many? Apply limit options (language, subset,
age, publication type, major heading,
subheading)
Too Few? Explode
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My NCBI Features
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April 13, 2015
Highlight PubMed search words in your
retrieval
Set “Abstract” format on MyNCBI account
to open the supplemental data (MeSH, PTs)
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PubMed Quick Tips
When you get too many results, try these tips.
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Use “quotation marks” to search on a phrase
Use [tiab] to find a word/phrase in the title or the
abstract
Use [ti] to find a word/phrase in the title
Use * to find alternative endings (child*=> child,
children, childbearing)
Use “LIMITS” (language, subsets, age, publication
types) from Advanced Search page to narrow
your search
Exercise:
Find systematic reviews on obesity prevention programs
for Hispanic populations
April 13, 2015
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10
Find the Most Recent Studies
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New studies not yet indexed
e.g. PubMed – in process
PubMed – as supplied by publisher
Do a keyword search.
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April 13, 2015
Note: The default display setting: sorted by recently
added.
The Library and the
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Finding Relevant MeSH Terms
Use Medical Subject Headings to focus your search.
Do a title word search
TIPS:
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End of life care[ti] AND pediatric cancer [ti]
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Choose “Abstract” format as your
display setting to identify appropriate
MeSH terms.
Terminal care [mh] AND neoplasms[mh]
Exercise:
End-of-life care in pediatric cancer patients
April 13, 2015
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Search Tips:
Narrow Your Search to Be More Focused
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Use the MeSH database
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Subheadings: nursing, prevention and control,
therapy…
nursing [Subheading] Links Used with diseases for
nursing care and techniques in their management. It
includes the nursing role in diagnostic, therapeutic,
and preventive procedures.
Restrict Search to Major Topic headings only
Exercise:
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Systematic reviews on end-of-life care in pediatric cancer
patients (English articles)
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Etiology, genetics, prevention and rehabilitation of
cardiovascular diseases among elderly (major topics),
English articles, published in the nursing and core clinical
journals in the past 5 years
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More My NCBI Features
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April 13, 2015
Save searches
Set up alerts
Set up filters for evidence-based information
(Make sure every students set up filter for
systematic reviews, RCT, meta analysis and
practice guidelines in the class.)
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PubMed: Clinical Queries
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Finding the highest levels of evidence:
systematic reviews and meta-analyses faster and
easier
Providing further analysis of randomized
controlled trials
Exercise:
 Find systematic reviews on complementary care in
pediatric oncology
April 13, 2015
The Library and the
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PubMed vs CINAHL
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Type of Publication Covered
MEDLINE: articles only
CINAHL: articles, books, book chapters, nursing dissertations,
standards of practice, educational software, clinical
innovations, research instruments, etc.
Year Coverage
MEDLINE: 1950-present
CINAHL: 1982-present
Subject Coverage:
MEDLINE: Focuses on biomedical journal literature
CINAHL: Focuses on nursing and allied health literature
Updates
MEDLINE: daily
CINAHL: Weekly
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PubMed vs CINAHL
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Overlap
Controlled Vocabulary
MEDLINE: Uses MeSH
CINAHL: Based on MeSH & unique nursing and
allied health terms called CINAHL Subject
Headings
Peer-Reviewed Articles
MEDLINE: can’t easily identify peer-reviewed
articles: CINAHL: can use peer-reviewed limiter
or use journal subset: peer-reviewed to locate
peer-reviewed articles
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CINAHL
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Nursing theories (Nursing theory, nursing
models, theoretical)
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Quick lessons
Evidence-based Care Sheets
Cited reference searching, Times cited
Continuing education module
Exercise:
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Find EB literature on interventions to prevent
childhood and adolescent obesity (Show students how
to use limits options – age group, EB practice)
The Library and the
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Finding Systematic Reviews in CINAHL
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Use systematic review as a publication type
Or select Evidence-Based Practice as a special interest
Exercise:
Evidence-based literature on diet therapy and
nursing care for diabetes patients
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Cochrane Databases
http://www.library.ucsf.edu/db/cochrane-library
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International collaboration
Evidence-Based Databases
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Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects
(DARE)
Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
TIP: Use
to run a search.
Exercise: Is educational intervention effective
for asthma in children?
April 13, 2015
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Evidence-Based Practice
Guidelines
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National Guidelines Clearinghouse
http://www.guideline.gov/
Exercise:
Guideline for HPV vaccine use to prevent cervical cancer
April 13, 2015
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