EMBASE & SCOPUS - MARCH 16

Introduction to Embase Database

  • New database: Embase
  • Topics covered:
    • Content of the database
    • How to effectively search Embase
    • Example search based on a case scenario
    • Reference document available on Blackboard: Secondary databases comparison table

Overview of Embase Database

  • Often referred to as the European counterpart of PubMed
  • Focus: Finding peer-reviewed literature, primary studies, RCTs (Randomized Controlled Trials), case studies, and more

Key Differences between Embase and PubMed

  • Embase includes unique articles not found in PubMed, making it a crucial resource for:
    • Research on foreign drugs
    • Information on new drugs on the market
    • Medications in clinical research and development
    • Specific information on toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics
    • Articles on complementary and alternative medicine

Searching in Embase

  • Unlike PubMed, the default search option in Embase is subject search:
    • Requires users to use database-provided terminology instead of personal keywords
    • Natural language terminology makes searching easier in Embase compared to PubMed
  • Comprehensive back coverage in Embase:
    • New subject terms are added three times annually, in contrast to PubMed's annual updates
    • Better chances to find terms for new drugs or obscure dietary supplements
    • Extensive coverage of medical devices

Steps for Searching Embase

  • Utilize a thesaurus for subject terms derived from Embase disorders
    • Example given: Searching for "antibiotic agents" to find relevant subject terms
    • Hierarchical structure of terms: broader terms, specific terms
    • Broader term example: Anti-infective agents; narrower term example: specific types of antibiotics

Practical Exercise in Finding Subject Terms

  • Students instructed to navigate the library database to find appropriate subject terms
    • Exercise includes finding terms for various medical terms (e.g., COVID-19, Tylenol, vitamin C)
    • Importance of finding the correct subject term emphasized

Introduction to a Case Scenario

  • Example patient profile: Nancy, 40-year-old female, history of recurrent migraines
    • Currently uses OTC medications (ibuprofen, Excedrin)
    • Interested in Immitrex as a new therapy
  • When reporting findings, students encouraged to compare ibuprofen to Immitrex
  • Suggested clinical question: Will Immitrex be effective and safe for Nancy's migraines?
    • Focus on identifying migraine and intervention for search purposes

Searching for Specific Concepts in Embase

  • Focus on finding subject terms:
    • First search for "migraine" in Embase
    • Recommended to find the broadest subject term available
  • Explaining features:
    • "Explode" option includes narrow terms in search
    • "Focus" narrows the search only to main topic of results
    • Example of using "explode" for migraine search to include various types

Search History and Boolean Operators

  • Search history is maintained throughout the session in Embase
  • Combined search terms using Boolean operators (AND, OR)
  • Limiting search results by options such as date, study type, and population
    • Most limiting should be the final step of the search process

Introduction to Scopus Database

  • New database introduced: Scopus
  • Features: Produced by Elsevier Sciences; European database with international coverage
    • Includes journals from various fields: medical sciences, social sciences, humanities, etc.
    • Useful for specific drug information and complementary alternative medicines

Characteristics of Searching in Scopus

  • Only type of search: Keyword search
    • No subject terms available; must use personal terminology
  • Importance of using synonyms for effective searches
  • Truncation for word searches with asterisk (*)
    • Example: typing "pharm" will include "pharmaceutical", "pharmacy"
  • Phrase searching with loose phrases using quotation marks

Searching Example Using a Case Scenario in Scopus

  • Case Profile of John: Elementary school teacher, seeking echinacea for COVID-19 prevention
    • Clinical question to formulate:
      "In a middle aged patient with diabetes and hypertension, will echinacea supplementation be effective for COVID-19?"
  • Recommendations on which concepts to search in the database

Practical Search in Scopus

  • Demonstrated use of Scopus search page
  • Suggested steps for searching:
    • One concept at a time in search fields
    • Examples used: echinacea, COVID-19

Review and Practice

  • Students encouraged to practice with examples provided
  • Quizzes on correct applications of search methods and concepts
  • Discussion of the need to understand synonyms and proper Boolean searching techniques
  • Summary and closure of hands-on practice before break