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Using the DOI / PMID tool to find NHS full-text articles

 Have you got an article reference and want to find the full-text? Does your reference include the DOI or PMID?

DOI is the digital object identifier. This is a code which uniquely identifies an article. So, no matter which platform the article is hosted on or even if the publisher changes, the article will have the same DOI.

PMID is the pubmed identifier. This is a reference number for the article held on the Pubmed database. You will always see a PMID for an article if you are searching on Pubmed.

Here is an example of a reference:

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.

I’ve highlighted in bold the DOI and the Pubmed ID: see them below:

DOI = 10.1111/anae.15909

PMID = 36351436

You can now use these bits of the reference to find whether the library has the full-text or not.

Search using the DOI / PMID Tool

1. Go to the Health Library web page Articles for the NHS.

2. Page down to the DOI / PMID search tool.

screen-shot of the doi search tool on the library web page
3. Enter your DOI or PMID – you can enter either one. Don’t enter both.

4. Click the “Find Article” button.

5. You will be taken to the Hub / LibKey article page, where you can see the various options to access the full-text.

example of an article page, showing the options for access

Options available may include:

  • Download PDF
  • Article Link
  • Request Article
  • Library Options

If the full-text is available you may be prompted to enter your NHS OpenAthens username to access the full-text.

If full-text is not available you may be presented with our print journal collection or asked to complete an article request form.

Watch the video for an example

Need more help?

Please get in touch if you need more help finding full-text articles.

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