The document provides guidance on conducting an effective search of the CINAHL database to answer a question about factors that influence control of postoperative pain in older patients. It outlines a 3-stage process: developing a search strategy using relevant concepts and keywords; searching databases using subject headings and keywords; and finding the full text of articles. Sample searches are demonstrated combining subject headings like "pain measurement" with keywords like "pain management" or "pain assessment". Tips are provided on using Boolean operators, truncation, phrase searching and limiting searches. The document concludes by assigning homework to search for specific subject terms in CINAHL.

1. Specialty Cancer/Palliative Care Nursing Searching the databases: CINAHL Sharon Karasmanis [email_address] Faculty Librarian, Health Sciences

4. It’s helpful to draw a concept map Concept 1 + Concept 2 + Concept 3 communication or pain management or post operative pain or patient interview pain measurement post surgical pain or consultation or pain assessment or post-operative pain

13. Search results showing a combination subject heading and keyword search

16. Check the full record for the source, and more relevant subject headings & keywords

18. Another useful feature: set up an account in CINHAL to save searches, articles, journal alerts ..