Developing a systematic search strategy related to people with disability: A brief report testing the utility of proposed disability search terms in a search about opioid use

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ioerger ◽  
Reed M. Flanders ◽  
Katherine D. Goss ◽  
Margaret A. Turk
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ioerger ◽  
Reed M. Flanders ◽  
Katherine D. Goss ◽  
Margaret A. Turk

Background: The varied use of the term “disability” in the scientific literature makes it challenging to conduct systematic searches and reviews of health issues among people with disability. Given these challenges, utilizing general disability search terms, instead of condition-specific search terms, has been put forward as an efficient and effective way to ensure a broad capture of the literature related to disability when conducting a systematic search. Objectives: This study evaluates the utility of general disability terms, as opposed to condition-specific terms, in the context of systematically searching for sources related to disability, and in this case, opioid use.Methods: Systematic searches were conducted utilizing three different databases (i.e., Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO). An initial search of sources mentioning opioids and disability was conducted utilizing the general search terms recommended by Walsh et al.2 The results of this search were then compared to those of each of the 16 condition-specific searches. The proportion of unique sources from each condition-specific search that overlapped with the general search were assessed. Results: There was very little overlap between the sources captured using condition-specific search terms and the sources captured utilizing the general search terms. The highest amount of overlap was for spinal muscular atrophy at 33.3%, with the overall median proportion of overlap being 13.4% (mean = 15.7%; SD = 11.7%). Conclusions: With a systematic search for manuscripts about disability associated with opioid use as an example, condition-specific search terms capture a large proportion of sources not captured using general disability search terms. Disability researchers should be aware of pitfalls using general terminology and the importance of using disability-specific search terms, depending on the focus of the search. Implications for disability-focused systematic searches are discussed.


Author(s):  
Wichor M. Bramer ◽  
Gerdien B. De Jonge ◽  
Melissa L. Rethlefsen ◽  
Frans Mast ◽  
Jos Kleijnen

Creating search strategies for systematic reviews, finding the best balance between sensitivity and specificity, and translating search strategies between databases is challenging. Several methods describe standards for systematic search strategies, but a consistent approach for creating an exhaustive search strategy has not yet been fully described in enough detail to be fully replicable. The authors have established a method that describes step by step the process of developing a systematic search strategy as needed in the systematic review. This method describes how single-line search strategies can be prepared in a text document by typing search syntax (such as field codes, parentheses, and Boolean operators) before copying and pasting search terms (keywords and free-text synonyms) that are found in the thesaurus. To help ensure term completeness, we developed a novel optimization technique that is mainly based on comparing the results retrieved by thesaurus terms with those retrieved by the free-text search words to identify potentially relevant candidate search terms. Macros in Microsoft Word have been developed to convert syntaxes between databases and interfaces almost automatically. This method helps information specialists in developing librarian-mediated searches for systematic reviews as well as medical and health care practitioners who are searching for evidence to answer clinical questions. The described method can be used to create complex and comprehensive search strategies for different databases and interfaces, such as those that are needed when searching for relevant references for systematic reviews, and will assist both information specialists and practitioners when they are searching the biomedical literature.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e040556
Author(s):  
Des Crowley ◽  
Robyn Homeniuk ◽  
Ide Delargy

IntroductionThe global opioid-related disease burden is significant. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) can be effective in reducing illicit opioid use and fatal overdose, and improving multiple health and social outcomes. Despite evidence for its effectiveness, there are significant deficits in OAT globally. COVID-19 has required rapid adaptation of remote models of healthcare. Telemedicine is not used routinely in OAT, and little is known about the current levels of use and effectiveness. The objective of this review is to describe models of telemedicine and their efficacy.Methods and analysisThis scoping review uses the review methodology described by Arksey and O’Malley and adapted by Levac et al. The search strategy developed by the medical librarian at the Irish College of General Practitioners in conjunction with the research team will involve five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, PsycInfo and OpenGrey) and the hand searching of reference lists. A limited initial search of two databases will be completed to refine search terms, followed by a second comprehensive search using newly refined search terms of all databases and finally hand searching references of included studies. To be included, studies must report on remote ways of providing OAT (including assessment, induction and monitoring) or related psychosocial support; be published in English after 2010. Two researchers will independently screen titles, abstracts and full-text articles considered for inclusion. Data will be extracted onto an agreed template and will undergo a descriptive analysis of the contextual or process-oriented data and simple quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics.Ethics and disseminationResearch ethics approval is not required for this scoping review. The results of this scoping review will inform the development of a national remote model of OAT. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e022267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Marshall ◽  
Elizabeth N Kinnard ◽  
Myles Hancock ◽  
Susanne King-Jones ◽  
Karin Olson ◽  
...  

IntroductionOpioid use disorder (OUD) is characterised by the fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual as a problematic pattern of opioid use (eg, fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone) that leads to clinically significant impairment. OUD diagnoses have risen substantially over the last decade, and treatment services have struggled to meet the demand. Evidence suggests when patients with chronic illnesses are matched with their treatment preferences and engaged in shared decision-making (SDM), health outcomes may improve. However, it is not known whether SDM could impact outcomes in specific substance use disorders such as OUD.Methods and analysisA scoping review will be conducted according to Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and by recommendations from Levacet al. The search strategy was developed to retrieve relevant publications from database inception and June 2017. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database for Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews and reference lists of relevant articles and Google Scholar will be searched. Included studies must be composed of adults with a diagnosis of OUD, and investigate SDM or its constituent components. Experimental, quasi-experimental, qualitative, case–control, cohort studies and cross-sectional surveys will be included. Articles will be screened for final eligibility according to title and abstract, and then by full text. Two independent reviewers will screen excluded articles at each stage. A consultation phase with expert clinicians and policy-makers will be added to set the scope of the work, refine research questions, review the search strategy and identify additional relevant literature. Results will summarise whether SDM impacts health and patient-centred outcomes in OUD.Ethics and disseminationScoping review methodology is considered secondary analysis and does not require ethics approval. The final review will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, disseminated at relevant academic conferences and will be shared with policy-makers, patients and clinicians.


2021 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Antonio Salvador-Oliván ◽  
Gonzalo Marco-Cuenca ◽  
Rosario Arquero-Avilés

Objective: Locating systematic reviews is essential for clinicians and researchers when creating or updating reviews and for decision-making in health care. This study aimed to develop a search filter for retrieving systematic reviews that improves upon the performance of the PubMed systematic review search filter.Methods: Search terms were identified from abstracts of reviews published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the titles of articles indexed as systematic reviews in PubMed. Both the precision of the candidate terms and the number of systematic reviews retrieved from PubMed were evaluated after excluding the subset of articles retrieved by the PubMed systematic review filter. Terms that achieved a precision greater than 70% and relevant publication types indexed with MeSH terms were included in the filter search strategy.Results: The search strategy used in our filter added specific terms not included in PubMed’s systematic review filter and achieved a 61.3% increase in the number of retrieved articles that are potential systematic reviews. Moreover, it achieved an average precision that is likely greater than 80%.Conclusions: The developed search filter will enable users to identify more systematic reviews from PubMed than the PubMed systematic review filter with high precision.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Martinez-Tejada ◽  
Alexander Arum ◽  
Jens E. Wilhjelm ◽  
Marianne Juhler ◽  
Morten Andresen

Abstract Background Although B waves were introduced as a concept in the analysis of intracranial pressure (ICP) recordings nearly 60 years ago, there is still a lack consensus on precise definitions, terminology, amplitude, frequency or origin. Several competing terms exist, addressing either their probable physiological origin or their physical characteristics. To better understand B wave characteristics and ease their detection, a literature review was carried out. Methods A systematic review protocol including search strategy and eligibility criteria was prepared in advance. A literature search was carried out using PubMed/MEDLINE, with the following search terms: B waves + review filter, slow waves + review filter, ICP B waves, slow ICP waves, slow vasogenic waves, Lundberg B waves, MOCAIP. Results In total, 19 different terms were found, B waves being the most common. These terminologies appear to be interchangeable and seem to be used indiscriminately, with some papers using more than five different terms. Definitions and etiologies are still unclear, which makes systematic and standardized detection difficult. Conclusions Two future lines of action are available for automating macro-pattern identification in ICP signals: achieving strict agreement on morphological characteristics of “traditional” B waveforms, or starting a new with a fresh computerized approach for recognition of new clinically relevant patterns.


1999 ◽  
Vol 103 (37) ◽  
pp. 7762-7770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert B. Hammond ◽  
Kevin J. Roberts ◽  
Elaine D. L. Smith ◽  
Robert Docherty

1995 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.H. KARWAN ◽  
T.B. MORAWSKI ◽  
C.G. DRURY

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-776
Author(s):  
Helen Moore ◽  
Carolyn Summerbell

As a clinically-effective nutritionist faced with needing to find the answer to a clinical question quickly it is necessary to search the best evidence efficiently. The requirements are to: (1) avoid having lots of papers to read; (2) be able to access this information at one's place of work; (3) restrict reading to trials and systematic reviews of trials. If a decision has to be made while on the ward, the best resource is probably an easy-to-use book, Clinical Evidence. This resource is also available on-line, but there may not be access to the Internet on the ward. If a little more time is available, and access to the Internet, the following plan is suggested: (1) work out what the question is and highlight the search terms; (2) using the best search engine available, search MEDLINE from 1990 for titles and abstracts of papers containing the search terms, this is the search strategy (limit the search by publication type by requesting randomised controlled trials only, English language only and human only); (3) if more or less than approximately ten hits are obtained, alter the limits of the search (not the search strategy); (4) read the abstract, or full paper where available, of the relevant hits and appraise this evidence.


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