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Searching the medical literature
Cheri G Smith1, Andrea S Herzka, James F Wenz
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21224-2780, USA.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|May 5, 2004
Summary
Effective medical literature searching is crucial for evidence-based medicine. Training clinicians in systematic search techniques and database access enhances research productivity and information retrieval.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Information Science
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Increasing volume of medical literature necessitates efficient retrieval.
- Most clinicians lack formal training in advanced literature searching.
- Evidence-based medicine relies on timely access to published data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review effective techniques for medical literature searching.
- To highlight the importance of systematic approaches in database utilization.
- To inform clinicians about optimizing access to research publications.
Main Methods:
- Review of established medical literature search strategies.
- Discussion of major bibliographic databases (e.g., MEDLINE, Science Citation Index).
- Exploration of remote access and electronic article delivery options.
Main Results:
- Systematic searching significantly boosts productivity.
- Familiarity with database features enhances search precision.
- Knowledge of access options expedites article retrieval.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced literature searching skills are vital for modern medical practice.
- Clinicians can improve information access through targeted training and strategic database use.
- Optimizing search and access methods supports evidence-based decision-making.