Search Builder: PICO → structured search blocks (a worked example)

If you can describe your review question as PICO, you can get structured PubMed blocks from it quickly. Open the Search Builder, paste your question, select the concepts you actually need, and choose “Make Search Blocks.” The Builder proposes MeSH terms and title/abstract synonyms for each concept so you can review, edit, and export a combined PubMed query. Start with the blocks; once you’re happy, you can translate field tags to Embase or Web of Science using the Search Translator.

Worked PICO → blocks

Question: In adults with type 2 diabetes, does continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improve HbA1c compared with self‑monitoring of blood glucose?

• Population (P): adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM)
• Intervention (I): continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
• Comparator (C): self‑monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) — optional for retrieval
• Outcome (O): HbA1c — optional for retrieval

In Search Builder:

1. Paste the question and tick the concepts you need for retrieval (typically Population + Intervention; Comparator/Outcome are usually reporting variables, not filters).
2. Select “Make Search Blocks.” Inspect suggested MeSH terms and title/abstract synonyms for each concept.
3. Edit where needed (scope, synonyms, acronyms), then export the combined PubMed query (text/CSV/JSON) and keep the search date.

Example blocks you might review and adapt (illustrative; always check scope and headings):

Population — Type 2 diabetes

("Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2"[Mesh] OR "type 2 diabetes"[tiab] OR T2DM[tiab] OR "noninsulin dependent diabetes"[tiab] OR "adult‑onset diabetes"[tiab])

Intervention — Continuous glucose monitoring

("Continuous Glucose Monitoring"[Mesh] OR "continuous glucose monitor*"[tiab] OR CGM[tiab] OR "interstitial glucose monitor*"[tiab])

Combine concepts for retrieval:

(("Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2"[Mesh] OR "type 2 diabetes"[tiab] OR T2DM[tiab] OR "noninsulin dependent diabetes"[tiab] OR "adult‑onset diabetes"[tiab]))
AND
(("Continuous Glucose Monitoring"[Mesh] OR "continuous glucose monitor*"[tiab] OR CGM[tiab] OR "interstitial glucose monitor*"[tiab]))

That’s the point of the Builder: turn a precise question into reviewable blocks, then a reproducible query. Keep parentheses around each concept, join alternatives with OR inside a block, and join concepts with AND. Save the exact string you actually ran (plus the date) in your search log.

Notes on scope and translation

• Blocks are reusable units for a concept, not a complete strategy by themselves. Confirm each block’s scope (population terms vs disease stage, adult vs paediatric, etc.).
• Database syntax differs. After you’re happy with the PubMed blocks, adapt field tags with the Search Translator and verify headings in the target database’s thesaurus.

Open the Search Builder to try this with your own PICO and export the combined query once it’s ready.