Medical Databases give you the power to conduct very specific or complex searches.

Use special techniques combine search words in search boxes to effectively find the info you need:

Example scenario: What are some nursing considerations for pregnant women with high blood pressure?

See below for example search construction based on that scenario:

Click to enlarge image:

Example search construction based on that scenario (this mirrors the advanced search boxes you will see in databases):

• Option – Use quotation marks to keep a phrase together in your search: “soft tissue mobilization”
• Option – Use AND to connect your ideas and focus your search: “soft tissue mobilization” AND physical therapy
• Option -  In the same box, use OR to expand your search to synonyms or related ideas: physical therapy OR physiotherapy

Choose one topic below.  Practice constructing a search from that scenario:

• soft tissue mobilization
• paraffin
• superficial heat (hot packs or thermotherapy)
• cryotherapy
• fluidotherapy
• bandaging for edema
• JOBST PUMP (pneumatic compression)
• mechanical compression
• mechanical traction
• postural drainage (chest physical therapy or pulmonary hygiene)
• chose another other PTA 110 topic

STEP 1: Use the PICOT acronym to help you create a research question:

P = Patient/Population/Problem

Who is your patient? Identify a disease, health status, age, race, geographic region, sex, or a specific characteristic important to your question.

Example: stroke patients

I = Intervention/Indicator

What do you plan to do for the patient? Identify a specific test, therapy, medication or management strategy.

Example: virtual reality, occupational therapy

C = Compare/Control

What is the alternative to your plan? Examples may include: no treatment or a different type of treatment.

Example: non-VR (or option to have no comparison)

O = Outcome

What outcome do you seek? Identify possible outcomes/results of the intervention such as less symptoms, no symptoms, or better quality of life...etc.

Example: rehabilitation, flexibility, mental health

T = Time/Type of Study or Question (This element is optional and not always included)

What is the time frame? What study types will most likely have the information you seek? 

Example: systematic review

STEP 2: Search article databases using some of the concepts/words you generated from the PICO acronym: