Next Page
Course Contents
Section Contents
Subsection Contents
Next Section

SEARCHING FOR A DIAGNOSIS QUESTION

For a quick answer to any evidence-based question, the format for a PubMed search is the same:

1) Search for the disease/condition

2) Search for the intervention (drug, surgery, diagnostic test, screening test, prognostic indicator)

3) Add the appropriate "filter" for that particular type of question.

The proper filter for a diagnosis question is to search for the qualities of the test that would make it worth using. For a search on a diagnosis question, you would add the term "Sensitivity and Specificity" to your search.

For example, if you wanted to search for information on whether self-assessment scales are effective in diagnosing schizophrenia in a 27-year old woman, you would take the following steps.

1) Click on the link on the left side of the screen to enter the MeSH database.

2) Enter the term "schizophrenia" in the search box. Click in the box next to the term "Schizophrenia". From the pull-down menu labeled "Send to" select "Search Box with AND".

3) Enter the term "self assessment" in the search box. Click in the box next to the term "Self Assessment (Psychology)". From the pull-down menu labeled "Send to" select "Search Box with AND".

4) Enter the term "sensitivity" in the search box. Click in the box next to the term "Sensitivity and Specificity". From the pull-down menu labeled "Send to" select "Search Box with AND".

5) Click on the grey button labeled "Search PubMed".

Access PubMed

Next Page
Course Contents
Section Contents
Subsection Contents
Next Section