Changes Between New and Old PubMed
John P. Bourgeois, MPH, MLIS, AHIP
Reference Librarian
With new PubMed becoming the default in mid-May, the Libraries undertook examining
the differences between the two versions. The topics below were originally published
as blog posts in January and February 2020. Format and features are constantly being
updated so your experience may differ slightly from these tutorials. However, the
PubMed Essentials class is always available with up-to-date, short tutorials as are
your libraries.
1: MeSH
Since new PubMed is here, you need to know about changes to the database, such as
“how do I search subject headings now?”
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In the new PubMed, the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Database can be found under
the Explore column beneath the search box. The MeSH Database has not changed and still
populates into Pubmed as before.
2: Date Filter
In the updated PubMed, the publication date filter has been updated.
Old PubMed had a prepopulated, text-based filter, while the new PubMed has an adjustable
bar graph showing number of publications/year in the results.
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New PubMed (above) Publication Date filter is more responsive and findable compared
to the same feature in old PubMed (below).
https://www.lsuhsc.edu/library/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Old-PubMed-1024x585.jpg
3: Search Details
With the rollout of new PubMed, some features have changed - such as where to view
search details. In old PubMed, the details of a search were displayed on the results
page; in new PubMed, they are on the Advanced page. For more information, see the
video below.
4: Cite Button
The new PubMed has added a “Cite” button, which provides citations in multiple formats.
This feature allows you to quickly cite a single article for copying & pasting or
downloading.
The “Cite” button is located in two places:
1. On the results page.
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2. In the article record.
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5: Subject Filters
With the rollout of new PubMed, some features have changed such as the location of
pre-populated subject filters.
In old PubMed, on your results page you could limit your search to specific, popular
subject areas relatively easily with a full listing of options.
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In new PubMed, this functionality is buried under several clicks and does not have
the full list of subject searches.
https://www.lsuhsc.edu/library/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2020-02-06_20-28-46.png
All previous subject filters still exist in new PubMed but have not been added to
the results page. In order to access these pre-populated searches, you have to search
the PubMed FAQs to find and to enable them.
6: FAQ & Tutorials
While this post is the last in the Library's New PubMed series, the Library is here
to assist. PubMed also has resources to help you navigate the New PubMed.
From the New PubMed Homepage, select “FAQs & User Guide“.
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2. Ctrl+F what you are looking for. If you use the search bar, it will bring you PubMed
articles, not FAQ results. Under “Appendices” are tutorials.
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3. Here you can find “Tutorials“.https://www.lsuhsc.edu/library/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2020-02-13_19-04-54-pt3-1024x431.jpg
