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Medical subject headings (MeSH): mapping

2004 version 2
24 May 2004

Using indexing terms - Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Now we will search for articles related to our broken-down question by using MEDLINE's controlled language, MeSH.

The first concept is Coronary Heart Disease.

• In the enter Keyword or phrase box on the Main Search page type coronary heart disease
• Make sure that the Map Term to Subject Heading box is ticked;
• Select

The system has tried to help you map your search term to the correct subject heading, which is Coronary Disease. If you were to click the icon a scope note will appear with an explanation of the term and a list of synonyms.

Note that your original search term is also listed with the note search as Keyword and at the top right, a 'combine selections with' option appears, defaulting to or. As we are looking for an overview of the topic we won't use that option here, but it would be appropriate for a comprehensive search.

Figure 22: Mapping display for a search for coronary heart disease

You want to check that Coronary Disease is the best term to use - is it at the right point in the MeSH tree structure? It may be too broad or too narrow for your needs.

• Click on the word Coronary Disease
• This will take you to the part of the MeSH tree structure that includes the Coronary Disease heading.

Please follow subsequent pages to be taken through the complete process of searching for a MeSH term.

Any questions? Please contact the MEDLINE Plus help desk:
Tel: 020 7383 6224 or 6737
email: info.medline@bma.org.uk
web: http://www.bma.org.uk/medline