Article
Translation and validation of a geographic PubMed search filter to identify studies about Germany in Embase and MEDLINE via Ovid
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Authors
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Alexander Pachanov
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Institute for Health Services and Health System Research, Deutschland; Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Center for Health Services Research, Deutschland
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Catharina Münte
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Institute for Health Services and Health System Research, Deutschland; Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Center for Health Services Research, Deutschland
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Julian Hirt
- University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Pragmatic Evidence Lab, Basel, Schweiz; Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health, Schweiz
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Dawid Pieper
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Institute for Health Services and Health System Research, Deutschland; Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Center for Health Services Research, Deutschland
| Published: | March 27, 2025 |
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Outline
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Background/research question: Systematically developed and validated search filters can enhance the reliability and efficiency of evidence syntheses. Geographic search filters, designed to retrieve records with a common geographic focus, are particularly useful for understanding and addressing challenges in health and healthcare related to local context factors. We recently developed a filter for retrieving studies about Germany from MEDLINE (PubMed) [1]. This study aimed to translate and validate the filter for its use in Embase (Ovid) and MEDLINE (Ovid).
Methods: We translated our MEDLINE (PubMed) search filter for use in Embase and MEDLINE (Ovid) by modifying the PubMed field tags to align with Ovid’s syntax. Additional adjustments included incorporating a keyword heading field for both databases and a correspondence address field specifically for Embase. We validated the filters by conducting case studies (CSs), using 17 systematic reviews (SRs) that included studies about Germany but did not restrict their search strategies geographically. The filters’ performance was assessed by calculating sensitivity, precision, and number-needed-to-read (NNR). These metrics were then compared to the corresponding metrics of the original search strategies of the 17 SRs.
Results: The translated filters reached a median sensitivity of 100% across 17 CSs in both Embase and MEDLINE (Ovid), with interquartile ranges (IQR) of 95.84–100% for Embase and 93.75–100% for MEDLINE. Applying the new filter in Embase improved the median precision of the original search strategies from 0.12% (IQR: 0.05–0.25%) to 1.68% (IQR: 0.79–2.46%) and reduced the NNR from 830 (IQR: 409.00–2164.50) to 54 (IQR:41.00–128.00). Applying the new filter in MEDLINE improved the median precision from 0.18% (IQR: 1.11–0.60%) to 5.13% (IQR: 1.77–6.85%) and the NNR from 552 (IQR: 167.00–931.00) to 20 (IQR: 14.50–59.50).
Conclusion: The validated Embase and MEDLINE filters for Ovid reliably retrieve studies about Germany. Additionally, applying the filters substantially improves search precision, reducing the workload associated with screening and subsequent review steps. The filters are particularly helpful for researchers aiming to conduct comprehensive evidence syntheses with a focus on Germany.
Competing interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
- 1.
- Pachanov A, Münte C, Hirt J, Pieper D. Development and validation of a geographic search filter for MEDLINE (PubMed) to identify studies about Germany. Res Synth Methods. 2024 Nov;15(6):1147-1160. DOI: 10.1002/jrsm.1763
