Why would I use the palliative filter?
You would use the palliative filter to restrict a literature search on PubMed to palliative care related articles. For example, a general topic search for dyspnoea would retrieve articles on breathlessness. If this was combined with the palliative filter, the results would be restricted to articles on breathlessness in palliative care.
How do I use the PubMed palliative filter?
All 50+ PubMed Topic Searches include the filter automatically when you choose one of the listed topics. Or, you can use these instructions to create your own PubMed Topic Search. If you already know how to do this, you may wish to just run the PubMed palliative filter now.
How was the palliative filter developed?
Two research studies led to the development of the palliative filter. The results from these studies were published in two peer reviewed journals. [1] [2] This research evidence, in combination with the expert opinion of a medical librarian and researcher, formed the basis of the palliative filter used in the CareSearch website. CareSearch Technical Notes also provide more in depth information about the filter and how it is constructed.
How has it been used in CareSearch?
The palliative filter is used in several ways on CareSearch. First, those clinicians and researchers who write topic webpages use it in the literature searches they undertake as a basis for these pages. Second, expert PubMed Topic Searches are provided, and these all incorporate the palliative filter. Finally, we offer the palliative filter above so it can be run by users and then combined with the subject of their choice.
References
- Sladek R, Tieman J, Fazekas BS, Abernathy AP, Currow DC. Development of a subject search filter to find information relevant to palliative care in the general medical literature. Journal of the Medical Library Association 2006, 94(4):394-401.
- Sladek R, Tieman J. Applying evidence in the real world: a case study in library and information practice. Health Information and Libraries Journal (accepted for publication 19 February 2008).
Finding out more
Palliative filter (PubMed version) (68kb pdf doc)
Palliative filter (OVID Medline version) (75kb pdf doc)
Related CareSearch pages
PubMed Topic Searches
Technical Notes relating to PubMed Topics Searches
This page was created on 30 April 2008 and is due for review in April 2010