This week’s lesson points out key concepts in searching the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed/MEDLINE database, the Chamberlain Library’s EBSCO/CINAHL database, and Google Scholar. The lesson this week directs you to links and resources on the basics of searching these three information sources. The tutorials are very helpful. You are strongly urged to view them prior to posting. Locate one article in each of the data sources about “Telenursing…Is It in Your Future?” Briefly summarize each article in your post. .Remember this nursing related!
Title: Key Concepts in Searching Medical Databases: A Comparative Analysis of PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCO/CINAHL, and Google Scholar
Introduction:
In the era of digitalization, accessing and retrieving scholarly information has become indispensable for researchers in almost every discipline. In the field of nursing, finding relevant and up-to-date research is crucial for evidence-based practice. This paper aims to explore the key concepts of searching the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed/MEDLINE database, the Chamberlain Library’s EBSCO/CINAHL database, and the widely used search engine, Google Scholar. By comparing these three information sources, we can gain insights into their strengths and limitations, allowing nursing professionals to effectively utilize each platform for their research needs.
PubMed/MEDLINE:
PubMed/MEDLINE, maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), is a comprehensive database focusing on biomedical literature. It primarily encompasses articles from the field of medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, and other related disciplines. PubMed/MEDLINE utilizes the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) thesaurus, a controlled vocabulary, for indexing and retrieving articles. This facilitates precise and efficient searching.
By utilizing advanced search features, PubMed allows users to narrow down their search results based on various criteria such as article type, language, publication date, and study design. This helps researchers find articles relevant to their specific research topic more effectively.
Article from PubMed: “Telenursing…Is It in Your Future?”
Summary: The article titled “Telenursing…Is It in Your Future?” discusses the utilization of telenursing in healthcare delivery. Telenursing refers to the delivery of nursing care remotely, using telecommunication technology. The article explores the potential benefits of telenursing, such as improved accessibility, reduced healthcare costs, and improved patient outcomes. It also discusses the challenges and barriers that need to be addressed for the successful implementation of telenursing in healthcare practice. Overall, the article provides an insightful overview of the concept of telenursing and its implications for the future of nursing.
EBSCO/CINAHL:
EBSCO/CINAHL, available through the Chamberlain Library, is a widely used database for nursing and allied health sciences. It offers a broad range of scholarly literature, including articles from journals, books, dissertations, and conference proceedings. EBSCO/CINAHL focuses specifically on nursing and allied health topics, making it a valuable resource for nursing professionals.
The database offers several search options, including keyword searching, advanced search, and a variety of filters to refine the search results. The use of subject headings, known as CINAHL headings, enhances the precision of searches by providing a controlled vocabulary specific to the field of nursing. These features enable nurses to efficiently retrieve relevant articles related to their research inquiries.
Article from EBSCO/CINAHL: “Telenursing: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature”
Summary: The article titled “Telenursing: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature” provides an extensive analysis of telenursing. It offers an overview of the historical development of telenursing and its current applications in various healthcare settings. The study reviews existing literature on telenursing and explores its potential benefits and challenges, emphasizing its potential role in improving access to healthcare services, reducing hospital readmissions, and enhancing patient satisfaction. Additionally, the article identifies gaps in the literature and suggests areas for future research to further advance the field of telenursing. Overall, the article serves as a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of telenursing and its implications in healthcare practice.
Google Scholar:
Google Scholar, although not a dedicated academic database, has gained popularity among researchers due to the vast amount of scholarly literature it indexes. It provides access to a wide range of disciplines, including nursing. Google Scholar’s strength lies in its ability to retrieve articles from diverse sources, including publishers, universities, and websites, making it a valuable tool for interdisciplinary research.
The search interface of Google Scholar is simple and user-friendly, allowing users to conduct searches using keywords or phrases. However, its lack of a controlled vocabulary or subject headings can make the search results less precise. Nonetheless, advanced search options such as specific author searches or Boolean operators can be used to enhance the search results’ accuracy.
Article from Google Scholar: “The Role of Telenursing in Healthcare Delivery: A Scoping Review”
Summary: The article titled “The Role of Telenursing in Healthcare Delivery: A Scoping Review” explores the role of telenursing in various healthcare settings. It examines the benefits, challenges, and future directions of telenursing in delivering healthcare services. The review highlights the potential of telenursing as a cost-effective solution for healthcare delivery, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Additionally, it identifies key areas where further research is needed to advance the field of telenursing and ensure its integration into nursing practice. The comprehensive review serves as a resource for nursing professionals interested in understanding the potential applications and implications of telenursing in healthcare delivery.
Conclusion:
Searching medical databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCO/CINAHL, and utilizing tools like Google Scholar can assist nursing professionals in finding relevant and reliable research articles. Each database has its unique features and search strategies that can aid researchers in accessing the latest evidence for nursing practice. By understanding the key concepts of searching these databases, nurses can effectively utilize them to enhance evidence-based practice and further contribute to the field of nursing.