Literature searching using Search 2.0

Formulate a search question Access the electronic databases General objective Know how to carry out effective literature searches using databases such as MEDLINE and CINAHL through the Dialog interface. Specific objectives Formulate a search question Access the electronic databases Search for literature on a given subject using an appropriate database Combine the results of a number of searches Limit the number of citations retrieved by a search Display, print, email and save citations Firstly, what is a literature search. It is simply the process of looking for information, material, publications on a topic. It isn’t just about literature from books, but can cover journal articles, reports, conferences, etc

What is a literature search? the process of systematically identifying published material or information, which is relevant to your particular topic or area of interest can include books, journals, reports, videos, conferences, theses, seminars, web pages and many other publication types.

What is PICO? Patient/Population/Condition Intervention/Exposure Comparison(s) Outcome(s) A well formulated clinical question will usually contain 4 elements. PICO Patient Intervention Comparison Outcome

P Patient or Population Who is the question about? age sex ethnicity condition or disease Try to identify as many characteristics as possible The P stands for Patient or population. This is the part of the question where we say WHO we are trying to find information about. It could be based on age group, such as neonates. It could be the sex - female patient Ethnicity may be important or we might use the condition or disease from which the patient suffers

I Intervention What is being done to the patient? Diagnostic test Treatment Drug therapy Counselling exposure to something in the environment Next is I for Intervention This is where you state what is being done to the patient are they having/have they had an operation are they taking a particular drug are they receiving counselling

C Comparison What are you comparing the intervention to? Another treatment no treatment It is not always necessary to specify a comparison C is comparison Usually we want to compare whether an intervention is effective, as compared to something else. Is one drug better than another The comparision may even be no treatment is it best to have the operation or not We don’t always have to specify a comparison.

O Outcomes What effect is the intervention having? Reduced pain Improved quality of life Side effects Finally the O is for Outcomes What effect is the intervention having reduced pain improved quality of life side effects

Scenario 1 A patient has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Their mum has read on the internet that beta interferon slows down the onset of this condition. They would like to know how true this is and if they can be prescribed it. It might be useful to highlight or underline the parts of the query that you think will be important aspects of your search. So from this scenario you might pick out the following aspects. We then need to apply the PICO So, who is our patient/population/conditon - female with minor depression What intervention/treatment are we looking at? - SSRI What are we comparing it to? - St John’s Wort and what is the outcome - ease symptoms - fatigue, loss of interest

Scenario 1 A patient has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Their mum has read on the internet that beta interferon slows down the onset of this condition. They would like to know how true this is. It might be useful to highlight or underline the parts of the query that you think will be important aspects of your search. So from this scenario you might pick out the following aspects. We then need to apply the PICO So, who is our patient/population/conditon - female with minor depression What intervention/treatment are we looking at? - SSRI What are we comparing it to? - St John’s Wort and what is the outcome - ease symptoms - fatigue, loss of interest

Applying PICO Patient Multiple sclerosis Intervention Beta interferon Comparison None – not taking it Outcome Slow down the onset Does beta interferon slow down the onset of multiple sclerosis?

Scenario 2 A patient has just had surgery for breast cancer. They are feeling fed up and are not interested in leaving the house. You wonder whether running or yoga may be beneficial for them to give them something to focus on and revive their spirits .

Scenario 2 A patient has just had surgery for breast cancer. They are feeling fed up and are not interested in leaving the house. You wonder whether running or yoga may be beneficial for them to give them something to focus on and revive their spirits .

Applying PICO Patient Breast cancer Intervention Running Comparison Yoga Outcome Revive spirits Does yoga or running help improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients?