Developing optimal search strategies for detecting clinically sound studies in MEDLINE.

摘要: Objective : To develop optimal MEDLINE search strategies for retrieving sound clinical studies of the etiology, prognosis, diagnosis, prevention, or treatment disorders in adult general medicine. Design Analytic survey operating characteristics developed by computerized combinations terms selected to detect meeting basic methodologic criteria direct use medicine. Measures The sensitivities, specificities, precision, and accuracy 134,264 unique were determined comparison with a manual review all articles (the “gold standard”) ten internal medicine journals 1986 1991. Results Less than half topics interest met scientific merit testing applications. Combinations reached peak sensitivities 82% 92% 99% therapy 1991. Compared best single terms, multiple increased sensitivity over 30% (absolute increase), but some loss specificity when was maximized. For 1986, 72% 95% 86% 98% therapy. When combined maximize specificity, 93% achieved purpose categories both years. individual near-perfect that maintained modest increases insensitivity except Increases combining categories, accuracies reaching 90% 1991. Conclusions retrieval important cited can be substantially enhanced indexing textwords.