The librarian membership brings important standardization to processes within FPIN consortium activities.
Central to the methodology of FPIN’s Clinical Inquires (CIs) is the structured literature search completed by the FPIN-trained medical librarian searcher and co-author. The FPIN Librarians are uniquely qualified to speak to searching techniques due to their expertise in the complexity of evidence-based searching and their knowledge of the host of sources where this content is located, expertise which complements the physician’s clinical knowledge.
The information resources searched encompass both primary and secondary biomedical literature, as outlined in the Search Protocol. This protocol includes key evidence-based resources identified by librarians and physicians. As part of this protocol, each comprehensive search of the MEDLINE database is systematically completed using a search filter (or “hedge”), which refines a results set that includes high-quality, evidence-based research studies for therapy, diagnosis, diagnostic testing, and prognosis inquiries. Filters--available from the FPIN Librarian Community Webpages --have been developed by FPIN member librarians with literature search and evidence-based medicine expertise, and are based upon published EBM search filters.
The standardized protocol developed by FPIN librarians and carried out by a community of expert searchers ensures production of high quality CI topic reviews. For additional information about the CI search methodology, please contact the FPIN Librarian Coordinator.
Negotiating your search with your Librarian Co-Author (PDF)
Questions to ask and answer, to assist your librarian in developing a comprehensive literature search.
Structured Search Protocol
The key information resources searched for each Clinical Inquiry.
FPIN Search Filters for MEDLINE Database
Mandatory search strategies used by each FPIN librarian in searching MEDLINE.
Search Methodology & Sort Form
Completed by the librarian co-author for each CI search, this form reports in detail the search strategy used and the number of results for each database. MEDLINE search results are sorted by study type in order to facilitate critical appraisal. Each form is archived as part of the Clinical Inquiry methodology documentation.
Search Methodology & Sort Form (Word Document)
Sample Completed Form (PDF)