Library of the Health Sciences
Peoria

#1 Otitis Media[MeSH]

Explode the MeSH term Otitis Media to include all types. (PubMed explodes automatically).

Drug Therapy [sh]

Add the subheading Drug Therapy to focus in on this specific aspect of the subject.

#2 Antibiotics [MeSH]

Explode the MeSH term Antibiotics to include all antibiotics.

#1 AND #2

Combine terms with AND to retrieve articles dealing with both subjects.

Randomized Controlled Trial [pt]

Limit to a specific publication type for clinically relevant studies.

Child

Limit the search to the specific age group concerned.

English

Limit the search to English if you wish to eliminate foreign language articles.

Clinical Queries

Use PubMed's Clinical Queries to easily limit to Systematic Reviews (there are over 100 RCTs on this topic).

#1 Alzheimer Disease [majr]

Limit the MeSH term to Major focus.

#2 Dementia, Senile [MeSH]

closely related term

#1 OR #2 = #3

OR retrieves one or both terms

#4) Sensitivity and Specificity [MeSH]

Explode the MeSH term to include more specific terms such as Predictive Value of Tests.

#5 Differential Diagnosis [MeSH]

Differential Diagnosis is a useful MeSH term with closely related diseases.

#3 AND #4 AND #5

Combine terms with AND.

Clinical Trials [PT]

Limit using the Clinical Trials Publication Type.

#1 Breast Neoplasms [majr]

EXPLODE the MeSH term Breast Neoplasms and Limit to Major Focus.

#2 Mammography [majr]

EXPLODE the MeSH term Mammography and Limit to Major Focus.

#1 AND #2

Combine terms with AND to retrieve articles dealing with both concepts.

Practice Guideline[pt] OR Clinical Guideline[pt] OR Consensus Development Conference[pt]

Limit the search to these publication types to find published evidence/consensus on this practice.

Change Databases and Rerun Search

Check other databases such as www.guidelines.gov to find published guidelines.

#1 Pulmonary Embolism [majr]

Limit the MeSH term to Major Focus.

etiology [sh] OR epidemiology [sh]

Attach subheadings useful in etiology questions.

#2 Hormone Replacement Therapy [MeSH]

Explode Hormone Replacement Therapy, which includes Estrogen Replacement Therapy.

#1 AND #2

AND combines these concepts.