Today is 10/07/2025.
Searching for medical device information requires specific strategies. NLM updated NCBI login in 2021. Comprehensive searching in PubMed involves a structured process.
Table of contents
PubMed Search Techniques
For practicing searches, utilize PubMed and accompanying worksheets; The National Library of Medicine offers extensive resources.
Embase Medical Device Search
The Embase search toolbar features a dedicated medical device search. Enter the device name, manage synonyms, and refine your search.
General Health Topic Searches
Enter a health topic, keyword, or phrase in the search box. Limit your search by criteria using available checkboxes.
Article Retrieval
To find a specific article, paste the title into the search box or provide citation details.
PubMed Simple Search
The simple search functions like a general search engine. Just enter your terms.
MedlinePlus Searches
Type a word or phrase into the MedlinePlus search box and click “GO” or press Enter.
Refining Search Results
Results are grouped into clinical studies, systematic reviews, and medical genetics. Enter your search as you would in PubMed.
PubMed Search Guidance
Follow step-by-step guidance to create searches in PubMed. Consult the basics guide for boolean operators.
Filtering Search Results
Use filters to narrow search results by article type, publication date and language.
Advanced Search Strategies
Beyond simple keyword searches, consider employing advanced techniques to refine your results. These include:
- Boolean Operators: Use “AND”, “OR”, and “NOT” to combine search terms effectively. For example, “diabetes AND exercise” will only return results that mention both terms. “diabetes OR exercise” will return results mentioning either term. “diabetes NOT diet” will return results mentioning diabetes but excluding those mentioning diet.
- Phrase Searching: Enclose phrases in quotation marks to search for those exact words in that order. For example, “heart failure” will search for that specific phrase.
- Truncation: Use an asterisk to search for variations of a word. For example, “diabet” will find diabetes, diabetic, and diabetology;
- MeSH Terms: Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) are a controlled vocabulary used to index articles in PubMed. Using MeSH terms can significantly improve search precision. You can find relevant MeSH terms using the MeSH database.
Beyond PubMed and MedlinePlus
While PubMed and MedlinePlus are excellent resources, consider these additional options:
- Cochrane Library: A collection of databases containing high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making.
- Google Scholar: A broad search engine that indexes scholarly literature across many disciplines.
- Specialty Databases: Depending on your specific area of interest, there may be specialized databases available. For example, PsycINFO for psychology or CINAHL for nursing and allied health.
- Professional Organizations: Many professional medical organizations offer resources and databases relevant to their specific fields.
Evaluating Search Results
Once you have your search results, it’s crucial to evaluate the information critically. Consider the following:
- Source Credibility: Is the source reputable and reliable? Look for peer-reviewed journals and established organizations.
- Publication Date: Is the information current? Medical knowledge is constantly evolving, so recent publications are generally preferred.
- Authorship: Who are the authors, and what are their credentials? Are they experts in the field?
- Bias: Is there any potential bias in the information presented? Look for conflicts of interest or funding sources that might influence the results.
Staying Up-to-Date
Medical information is constantly evolving. To stay informed, consider these strategies:
- Set up alerts: Many databases allow you to set up email alerts for new articles that match your search criteria.
- Follow reputable sources: Subscribe to newsletters or follow social media accounts of trusted medical organizations and journals.
- Attend conferences: Medical conferences are a great way to learn about the latest research and network with experts in the field.
