Mercer Medical Libraries
PubMed (MEDLINE)
Tips for Searching

PubMed:
PubMed for Handhelds (Memorial On-Campus/Remote One and Mercer On-Campus access)
PubMed for Handhelds (Mercer Off-Campus access)

Basic Searching - Enter one or more words into the query box and press Enter or GO

• Search terms can be single words or phrases.
• PubMed will automatically search for terms as both MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) and as words in title and/or abstract
• MeSH terms are automatically exploded to include narrower related terms
• Search terms are automatically combined using AND

Advanced Searching:

• Search each term separately
• Check Search details to verify proper MeSH terms searched
• Search sets are listed under Advanced Search
• Combine sets with AND or OR in UPPER CASE

Additional options:

Truncation - Use the asterisk (*) to look for multiple endings of a word
Ex: Myocard* will retrieve myocardium, myocardial, myocarditis, etc.
Note: Truncation prevents automatic mapping and explosion of MeSH terms

MeSH Database - click on PubMed.gov - use to find proper MeSH subject headings

Limits - Article Type, Age, Gender, Language, etc.
To turn off limits - next to Limits activated click Remove

Search Details - Displays how PubMed translated your search statements; use to verify searched for correct MeSH terms and textwords

Search History - Located under Advanced Search, displays the list of search sets; Use to combine search sets
Set numbers MUST be preceded by the pound (#) sign Exs: #3 AND #7

Clipboard - Stores selected citations for viewing, printing, or saving
Check the box beside a selected citation and click on the Send To [Clipboard] button

Single Citation Matcher - to verify or find a specific article
Enter information in one or more fields

• Journal - Full Title or MEDLINE Abbreviation [Ex. Lancet]
• Date - Year (yyyy) [Ex. 2000]
• Volume, Issue, or First Page - [Ex. 356 or 9247 or 2052]
• Author - Last Name, or Last Name and Initial(s) [Ex. Kober L]
  Authors' names are automatically truncated
• Title Words - Full Title, Partial Title, or Significant Word(s) [Ex. Effect dofetilide]

Clinical Queries (EBM filters) - research methodology filters designed to retrieve quality studies;
Select either:

• type of question and sensitive (comprehensive) or specific (relevant) search strategy
  
• Systematic Review, then enter search terms in query box
  

My NCBI - Use to store and update searches; Requires simple registration

Full-text Articles

• Use PubMed link from Mercer Medical Libraries Website for access to subscriptions
• Access is based on the Library's subscription to a journal and free content
• Links to some, but not all, of Mercer Medical Libraries electronic journals
• Check A to Z eJourals list -Open in a second browser window and toggle between PubMed and the eJournal list for electronic availability

NEED HELP?
Macon: Call 478.301.4056 or email reference.ill@gain.mercer.edu
Savannah: Call 912.350.8345 or email library@memorialhealth.com

Return to MUSM Libraries EBM Tool Kit
Mercer Medical Libraries
Mercer University School of Medicine