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5 Key Tools to Get Full-Text Articles for the NHS

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 We know that getting to that elusive full-text article can sometimes feel like you’re wandering in a maze; you’re prevented access at every turn.

Well, we’ve got 5 key tools to help you get straight to the full-text.

Before we get started remember that, as an NHS member of staff, you’ll need to have your NHS OpenAthens username for when you need to log in. Complete the online form to register.

Let’s start. Here’s what we’ll be looking at:

animated gif listing the 5 tools that will be described in the post

You’ll find all the tools on our web page Articles for the NHS: finding full-text articles.

So, what do you know about the article you’re looking for?

Full reference including the DOI or Pubmed ID

Have you got a full reference? Perhaps from a reference list, a database search or sent to you from a colleague? Perhaps it looks like this:

Ultrasound-guided genicular nerves block vs. local infiltration analgesia for total knee arthroplasty: a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial, Cuñat et al Anaesthesia, 2023 Feb;78(2):188-196. doi: 10.1111/anae.15909 PMID: 36351436.

The DOI and the Pubmed ID or PMID are the codes at the end.

  • DOI = 10.1111/anae.15909
  • PMID = 36351436

Tool no 1: Look for the DOI or Pubmed ID (PMID)

Use the DOI search tool to go straight to the article via either the unique DOI (digital object identifier) or PMID. This will take you to article access options for the full-text. Read my blog post for step-by-step instructions:

Reference to only the article title and author

You may only have the article title and an author to search for – perhaps someone mentioned an article to you in conversation. So, in this case you don’t have a full reference. Where can you search?

Tool no 2: Search the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub

The NHS Knowledge and Library Hub searches across many different healthcare bibliographic databases. Use this search tool to find an article. Follow the step-by-step instructions in my blog post:

Reference to the Journal only

Did someone mention a great article in the latest issue of a key journal? You need to look it up and get the full-text quickly. But how?

Tool no 3: Browse Browzine

Use Browzine to find a journal title and browse through the published issues. Browzine includes our subscribed titles as well as open access content. You’ll find the table of contents for the published issues and links to the article full-text, where available. My blog post shows you how to browse Browzine:

Search for full-text articles on publishers’ websites

Do you regularly look for articles on publishers’ websites? Getting frustrated when you can’t log in for the full-text? We purchase many of our journal subscriptions via packages such as databases and platforms like Ovid and Clinical Key. So, we may have the subscription but not on the publishers’ website. How will you know where to go to access full-text? You don’t need to! Just check out…

Tool 4: LibKey Nomad for one-click to full-text options

LibKey Nomad is a browser extension that you install. It then pops a button or link onto a publishers’ article page to let you know about your full-text options for that article. You get instant information about how and where you can access the full-text. Take a look at my blog posts to learn more:

Search for full-text articles on Google scholar

Are you a google searcher? Can’t resist a quick search? Make life easy for yourself and link Google Scholar to the library collection of journals. Yes, you can do that!

Tool 5: Link Google Scholar to the Library Journals collection

Get links to the library’s journal collection on your Google Scholar search. Follow the step-by-step instructions from my blog post.

What full-text options are available?

When you use the tools above and link to the library’s collection for the full-text, you may be offered a number of full-text options:

  • Link to open access full-text, either to the pdf or article web page. No login required.
  • Link to subscribed full-text, either to the pdf or article web page. You may be prompted for your NHS OpenAthens login details.
  • Link to the print journal collection, where you can check whether the issue is available in the Health Library.
  • Link to the article request form and we will try to get a copy for you from another library.

Get all the tools in one place

Remember, you’ll find all the tools on our web page Articles for the NHS: finding full-text articles. Watch this short video for a quick overview of the tools on this page:

Need more help?

If you have any problems trying to get the full-text for any articles please contact us:

  • Cheryl, eResources Librarian
  • Inter-Library Loan Team
  • Health Library

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