Some staff and learners need to carry out complex, robust and reproduceable searches including for systematic review and informing research. These advanced searches should be conducted in bibliographic databases such as Medline, Embase and CINAHL rather than using the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub quick search.
Which bibliographic databases are available?
CINAHL (EBSCOHost)– nursing and allied health
Embase (Ovid) – biomedical and pharmaceutical literature
Emcare (Ovid) – nursing and allied health
HMIC (Ovid)– healthcare management
Medline (Ovid or EBSCOHost) – biomedical, life sciences, allied health and pre-clinical sciences literature
Social Policy and Practice (Ovid) – behavioural and social sciences, social work and public health
The Cochrane Library (Wiley) – a collection of databases that contain high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CENTRAL.
TRIP Pro – high quality clinical research evidence on the web including ongoing clinical trials and systematic reviews.
NHS OpenAthens
To access these databases, you will need an NHS OpenAthens account.
Register for your free NHS OpenAthens account
Check your eligibility for an NHS OpenAthens account
How do I learn to search effectively?
If you’re new to literature searching, or need a refresher, try our e-learning programme, How to Search the Literature Effectively? This will help you build confidence and covers principles of good searching which apply whichever search tools you use.
Each search tool is slightly different. Helpful guidance on how to search is available for each one.
- Basic searching 2 minute introductory video
- Advanced searching 2 minute introductory video
- EBSCO Academy elearning paths may be handiest for Medline or CINAHL
- Ovid NHS Resource Centre offering a range of handouts and training options with a library of tailored videos
- Basic Search on Ovid a one hour recorded webinar
- Ovid Advanced Search quick, structured guide to using Advanced search features
- Ovid Advanced Search a one hour recorded webinar
- Ovid Quick reference guide a four page PDF for rapid access
Where can I get more help with advanced searching?
Specialists at your local health library are happy to help. The offer search skills training and may partner with you to complete your search. The can help you keep up to date using current awareness services. If you are embarking on a significant research project, contact your library early on to save your time and enhance the quality of your search.
Search the directory to find your nearest health library.