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SEARCHING Ovid MEDLINE

What is Ovid MEDLINE?

Produced by the US National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE is widely recognized as the premier source for bibliographic and abstract coverage of biomedical literature. MEDLINE includes Index Medicus, the Index to Dental Literature, and International Nursing, as well as other sources of coverage in the areas of allied health, biological and physical sciences, humanities and information science as they relate to medicine and health care. More than 11 million records from more than 4,000 journals are indexed. Two thirds of the records include abstracts. Includes links to Journals@Ovid. MEDLINE uses MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) vocabulary.

Ovid MEDLINE is updated with new materials weekly.

Who may use Ovid MEDLINE via JEFFLINE?

Access to Ovid MEDLINE is limited to TJU and TJUH students, faculty and staff, the qualified staff of Albert Einstein Health Network, and qualified staff of the A.I. duPont Hospital for Children. Non-Jefferson users may consult our database alternatives for guests of JEFFLINE.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

MEDLINE uses the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) created by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to describe the content of articles.

NLM's MeSH terms are organized in a hierarchy or "tree" structure. If you know a heading, but want to learn more about it, use the TOOLS icon. Tree hierarchies, scope notes and other information is available online.

MEDLINE will also "map" terms from the main search box to the subject vocabulary. It helps you to move from common language, such as "heart attack," to accepted medical terminology, such as "myocardial infarction," by listing terms which you may wish to use.

The Search Page

  1. The title bar shows the database and year range you are searching.

  2. Click the context-sensitive Help button on any page to view information about how to use the features available on that page.

  3. Search tools add power and refinement to your search strategies.

  4. The search history window records each search statement and search results.

  5. Use the display button to view the results of any search.

  6. Enter search queries in the query box and click the perform search button.

  7. Use the limit checkboxes to control the type of citations your search will produce.

  8. Ask a librarian for help at any time - reference librarians answer via email Monday-Friday.

  9. The display page repeats your search conditions and shows the resulting citations in batches of 10 per page.

  10. If Scott Library subscribes to a journal, this holdings message will be present.

  11. Additional links provide more information: abstract, complete reference, Ovid Full Text, or a link to the library's catalog record for that journal.

Search Tools

  Use the author icon to search for an author; enter a last name, followed by the first initial.
  Use the title icon to search for a word or phrase contained within the title of an article.
  Use the journal icon to search for all the articles that appeared in a particular journal.
  Use the search fields icon to find special words, phrases or numbers contained in any available document field.
  Special searching tools can include the Scope Note, Tree, Permutated Index, and Explode Subheadings.
  Combine separate search statements into a more powerful search strategy with AND and OR.
  Apply limits to your query to focus your search.
  Switch to basic mode for a simple and easy search. Use the advanced mode for more sophisticated searching.
  The change database icon allows you to choose another database within the Ovid suite.
  Be sure to logoff Ovid when you finish searching.

Other Information & Resources

  • Ovid provides an extensive online help guide for MEDLINE. Choose the information icon for the full guide.

Contact for Further Information

AISR Information Services
215-503-8150
Askalibrarian@jefferson.edu

Scott Memorial Library
1020 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
AISR
Copyright © , Thomas Jefferson University.
JEFFLINE is produced by Academic Information Services and Research (AISR).
We welcome your comments. Please report problems using JEFFLINE pages or resources to the JEFFLINE Editor.

JEFFLINE, its contents and programs, is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor is it intended to create any physician-patient relationship. Please remember that this information should not substitute for a visit or a consultation with a health care provider. The views or opinions expressed in the resources provided do not necessarily reflect those of Thomas Jefferson University, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, or the Jefferson Health System or staff. Please read our privacy statement.

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