Using PubMed MeSH

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Using PubMed MeSH
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Learning outcomes

• By the end of the session you will be able to
• Conduct a search in PubMed using the MeSH browser
• Limit the number of citations retrieved by a
  search
• Create a personal account for use in PubMed

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What are MeSH?

• MeSH are Medical Subject Headings.
• They help tackle the issue of synonyms in Medical
  Terminology.
• --------------------------------------------------
  ---------------------------------
• E.g. To find papers addressing the topic of
  kidney stones
• Renal Stones
• Renal Calculi
• Kidney Stones
• Kidney Calculi

KIDNEY CALCULI (MeSH Term)
All the four terms are mapped to a single MeSH
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Literature search scenario

• What evidence is there regarding the use of
  Botulinum Toxin Type A in treating children (aged
  lt18) with Cerebral Palsy?

PICO Framework
P Patient Cerebral Palsy I
Intervention Botulinum Toxin Type A C
Comparison ------ O Outcome ------
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Access PubMed Database at www.pubmed.com/

• Type cerebral palsy into search box
• Click Go button

Click to select MeSH Database

• Type cerebral palsy into search box
• Click Go button

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• PubMed displays the most likely MeSH term.
• Alternative choices are displayed above.
• Tick to select.
• Choose Search box with AND from the Send
  to menu.

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• Enter the next subject Botulinum Toxin Type A
• Click Go
• Note previous search elements are displayed on
  screen.

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We are only interested in studies addressing
patients who are aged under 18. In order to find
the best research for our type of clinical
question we need Randomized Controlled
Trials Then click GO
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PubMed Personal Account
Fill in registration details (Remember your
username and password). Click Register
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Exercises

• Use PubMed (www.pubmed.com) to answer one of the
  questions
• below. Apply the following criteria
• - Articles published in the last 5 years
• - Articles written in English language
• What evidence is there regarding the use of
  docetaxel to treat a patient aged 60 years with
  prostate cancer?
• What evidence is there regarding the use of
  mesalamine to treat a patient aged 40 years with
  ulcerative colitis?