The National Library for Health (NLH) Specialist Libraries have been developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice. They are web-based collections containing clinical and non-clinical information on the major health priority areas. Each NLH Specialist Library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2009 is now available. The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for January 2009:
Urinary incontinence (Kidney Diseases and Women's Health Specialist Libraries) 19th January
Focusing on both male and female urinary incontinence this Annual Evidence Update brings together the latest evidence on the surgical, drug and conservative management of urge and stress incontinence and Overactive Bladder (OAB). Expert commentaries summarising the latest knowledge on various incontinence topics such as botox, post-prostatectomy and quality of life issues will be available.
Patient and Carer Involvement in Chronic Disease (Supportive and Palliative Care Specialist Library) 19th January
This Annual Evidence Update collects together the best current knowledge on self care in chronic disease management. Key resources from a small sample of chronic conditions are placed within the general theme of user involvement in health services.
Patient Safety (Patient and Public Involvement Specialist Library) 26th January
This Annual Evidence Update considers the issue of patient involvement in patient safety, which can be defined as: the actions that patients take to reduce the likelihood of medical errors and/or the actions that patients take to mitigate the effects of medical errors when they do occur. The Annual Evidence Update looks at the ways in which patients can help to improve patient safety, and also at the willingness of patients to perform safety-related behaviours.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Athens registration process has changed
The registration process for Athens has changed slightly. You still need to complete an online form with your personal and professional details on the National Library for Health, but you can now do this from any computer and you may give either a work or personal email address. The email address that you give will be used to communicate with you about your Athens account, including a validation email which you need to complete the registration process, so think about where it will be most useful to receive this information.
There have also been changes to the look of the National Library for Health (NLH) homepage and enhancements to how you access personalised information.
When you log on to Athens via the NLH your name will be permanently displayed at the top right hand of the screen. If you click on the link My Account you are able to amend your personal details (organisation, email address or Athens password). You can also view any saved searches or alerts from the bibliographic databases (Medline, CINAHL etc) and access other alerts and RSS feeds you have saved via My Library.
- Complete the online form on the National Library for Health (click Register here)
- Once you have clicked Submit your username will appear on the screen
- Access the email account you provided and click on the validation link contained within the email you will have received from EduServ
- Choose and enter a password of your choice
- Confirm your understanding of EduServ's terms and conditions
There have also been changes to the look of the National Library for Health (NLH) homepage and enhancements to how you access personalised information.
When you log on to Athens via the NLH your name will be permanently displayed at the top right hand of the screen. If you click on the link My Account you are able to amend your personal details (organisation, email address or Athens password). You can also view any saved searches or alerts from the bibliographic databases (Medline, CINAHL etc) and access other alerts and RSS feeds you have saved via My Library.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Changes to the MyJournals A-Z listing
On 1st January 2009 there will officially be a change to the MyJournals service on the National Library for Health (NLH) which allows you to see which journal titles you can access electronically or in print from your local NHS library.
Currently, if you access the service via the listing of resources on the Athens website or via My Library on the National Library for Health, you will be taken to the outgoing service http://journals.library.nhs.uk/.
However, if you click the link MyJournals on the NLH site you are already directed to the new service at www.library.nhs.uk/booksandjournals/journals/.
Our advice to you is to continue using the "old" service until it disappears in the new year as we have found that the new service is not yet working as well as it should.
If you currently have table of contents (ToC) alerts set up via MyJournals you will need to transfer these to the Zetoc service as your ToCs will not be transferred to the new system. If you need help with Zetoc please contact the library by email or telephone (ext 1544/5).
Currently, if you access the service via the listing of resources on the Athens website or via My Library on the National Library for Health, you will be taken to the outgoing service http://journals.library.nhs.uk/.
However, if you click the link MyJournals on the NLH site you are already directed to the new service at www.library.nhs.uk/booksandjournals/journals/.
Our advice to you is to continue using the "old" service until it disappears in the new year as we have found that the new service is not yet working as well as it should.
If you currently have table of contents (ToC) alerts set up via MyJournals you will need to transfer these to the Zetoc service as your ToCs will not be transferred to the new system. If you need help with Zetoc please contact the library by email or telephone (ext 1544/5).
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Christmas opening
The library will be closed on:
- Thursday 25th December
- Friday 26th December
- Thursday 1st January
At other times our normal staffed hours will apply: 8.30 to 5.00 pm, Mondays to Fridays.
Please ensure that if you require out-of-hours access during the holiday period your PIN is up to date and working correctly.
Please ensure that if you require out-of-hours access during the holiday period your PIN is up to date and working correctly.
Friday, 28 November 2008
Annual evidence updates - December 2008
The National Library for Health (NLH) Specialist Libraries have been developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice. They are web-based collections containing clinical and non-clinical information on the major health priority areas. Each NLH Specialist Library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2008 and 2009 is now available.
The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for December 2008:
Stroke (Stroke Specialist Library) 2nd December 2008
This is the first Annual Evidence Update (AEU) that has been undertaken on a stroke-related topic and it will be published to coincide with the UK Stroke Forum conference in Harrogate.
It will focus on rehabilitation following a stroke, including Early Supported Discharge (ESD). Despite evidence of its effectiveness in reducing mortality and long term disability rehabilitation is often seen as a ‘Cinderella service’: under funded, understaffed, and with a low profile compared to care at the ‘hi-tech’ end of the spectrum of stroke care.
With the advice of our Expert Panel comprising a nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and stroke physician, we have focused this AEU on a number of the key components of stroke rehabilitation set out in the National Stroke Strategy, together with relevant outcome measures and a focus on ESD.
Spinal Diseases (Orthopaedic Specialist Library in conjunction with the Musculoskeletal Specialist Library) 8th December 2008
Included in this Annual Evidence Update are guidelines and systematic reviews produced within the last few years on the following topics: low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis, degenerative disc and burst fracture.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2008 and 2009 is now available.
The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for December 2008:
Stroke (Stroke Specialist Library) 2nd December 2008
This is the first Annual Evidence Update (AEU) that has been undertaken on a stroke-related topic and it will be published to coincide with the UK Stroke Forum conference in Harrogate.
It will focus on rehabilitation following a stroke, including Early Supported Discharge (ESD). Despite evidence of its effectiveness in reducing mortality and long term disability rehabilitation is often seen as a ‘Cinderella service’: under funded, understaffed, and with a low profile compared to care at the ‘hi-tech’ end of the spectrum of stroke care.
With the advice of our Expert Panel comprising a nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and stroke physician, we have focused this AEU on a number of the key components of stroke rehabilitation set out in the National Stroke Strategy, together with relevant outcome measures and a focus on ESD.
Spinal Diseases (Orthopaedic Specialist Library in conjunction with the Musculoskeletal Specialist Library) 8th December 2008
Included in this Annual Evidence Update are guidelines and systematic reviews produced within the last few years on the following topics: low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis, degenerative disc and burst fracture.
Changes to NHS Athens self-registration
In mid December there will be changes to the self-registration process for NHS Athens usernames and passwords. Users of Athens resources will also see a number of improvements and enhancements. Changes include:
- Users with an NHS email address will be able to register and activate their account from any networked computer, including home or academic networks
- NHS Athens account holders will be able to use their email address or their username to sign in
- Login information and a logout button will be consistently presented onscreen along with access to a new My Account page, which gives basic details about the user’s NHS Athens account
- Users will be able to see locally purchased resources and access saved searches and personalised alerts more easily
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Put an extra fizz into your searching with two online tutorials
Two online search tutorials will be launched on November 5th. The tutorials are to help you search healthcare databases (e.g. Medline, CINAHL) via the National Library for Health Search 2.0 interface. The tutorials are free and can be completed at any time and at your own pace. They are ideal if you have been unable to attend face to face training or as a refresher following training.You will need a current NHS ATHENS password to complete the tutorials. Each will take, on average, 20 - 30 minutes to complete. It is recommended you complete the first tutorial if you are new to searching before going onto part two. When you open the tutorial your screen will be split in two, with instructions on the left hand side, and on the right a window in which to conduct a live search.
Tutorial one covers:
Tutorial one covers:
- Accessing the databases
- Performing a keyword search
- Combining keywords
- Applying limits to your search
- Viewing references and accessing full text where available
- Repeating your search in another database
- Removing duplicate references
- Searching by author and journal name
Tutorial two covers:
- Performing a thesaurus search
- Understanding how to use Subheadings, Major Descriptors and Exploded
- Saving your search
- Creating an alert from your search results
Annual evidence updates - November 2008
The National Library for Health (NLH) Specialist Libraries have been developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice. They are web-based collections containing clinical and non-clinical information on the major health priority areas. Each NLH Specialist Library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2008 and 2009 is now available.
The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for November 2008:
Psoriasis (Skin Disorders Specialist Library) on 3rd November
The results of a search for new national guidance and systematic reviews published since the 2007 Annual Evidence Update. The Library’s usual “what’s new” analysis, discussing the new evidence and its implications for clinical practice, has been written by Professor Chris Griffiths of Manchester University.
Psoriatic arthritis (Musculoskeletal Specialist Library) on 3rd November
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease associated with psoriasis. As with other forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis can cause stiffness, pain and lack of movement in affected areas. This Annual Evidence Update, includes guidelines and systematic reviews produced within the last 12 months which will be of particular interest to all health professionals.
Diabetes (Diabetes Specialist Library) on 10th November
The Diabetes Annual Evidence Update identifies new evidence on diabetes published between August 2007 and September 2008. For ease of reference the new evidence has been classified under the following topic headings: treatments, complications, patients, prevention, delivery of care, pregnancy, pre-diabetes including metabolic syndrome, screening, epidemiology and economics.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2008 and 2009 is now available.
The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for November 2008:
Psoriasis (Skin Disorders Specialist Library) on 3rd November
The results of a search for new national guidance and systematic reviews published since the 2007 Annual Evidence Update. The Library’s usual “what’s new” analysis, discussing the new evidence and its implications for clinical practice, has been written by Professor Chris Griffiths of Manchester University.
Psoriatic arthritis (Musculoskeletal Specialist Library) on 3rd November
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease associated with psoriasis. As with other forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis can cause stiffness, pain and lack of movement in affected areas. This Annual Evidence Update, includes guidelines and systematic reviews produced within the last 12 months which will be of particular interest to all health professionals.
Diabetes (Diabetes Specialist Library) on 10th November
The Diabetes Annual Evidence Update identifies new evidence on diabetes published between August 2007 and September 2008. For ease of reference the new evidence has been classified under the following topic headings: treatments, complications, patients, prevention, delivery of care, pregnancy, pre-diabetes including metabolic syndrome, screening, epidemiology and economics.
Lung cancer (Cancer Specialist Library) on 17th November
The resources included in the update are mostly systematic reviews and some guidance published in the preceding year (2007-2008). The update has been divided into sections which will consider:
- Causes, risks and prevention
- Screening
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Service delivery and standards
- Treatment and disease management - Biological therapy
- Treatment and disease management - Chemotherapy
- Treatment and disease management - Radiotherapy
- Treatment and disease management - Surgery
- Treatment and disease management - Symptomatic therapy
- Other therapies
- Palliative care
- Psychosocial, quality of life and follow-up
COPD (Respiratory Specialist Library) on 17th November
The Annual Evidence Update for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) will present the evidence published in this area in 2008. Building on the comprehensive review carried out to inform the NSF and presented earlier this year this update will detail the very latest published evidence in COPD.
Oral cancer (Oral Health Specialist Library) on 17th November
The Oral Health Specialist Library will be presenting an Annual Evidence Update on oral cancer to coincide with Mouth Cancer Awareness Week. The update provides a summary of the best available information (systematic reviews, meta-analyses and guidelines) published since last year's update.
Glaucoma (Eyes and Vision Specialist Library) on 24th November
The Glaucoma Annual Evidence Update will present a collection of evidence that has emerged in the 12 months since last year's update, categorised into secondary publications (systematic reviews and meta analyses), interventional studies (randomised control trials and clinical control trials) and observational studies.
The term “glaucoma” for the purposes of the update is used to cover primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Ocular hypertension will also be included, as it is a strong risk factor for developing glaucoma. Angle closure glaucoma, paediatric glaucoma and the secondary glaucomas will not be included in this update.
HIV/AIDS (Infections Specialist Library) on 24th November
The first annual evidence update in this areas has been timed to coincide with World HIV/AIDS Day on the 1st of December. The National Library for Public Health will be presenting a complementary evidence update on Behaviour change in high-risk populations.
There is a vast amount of literature on HIV/AIDS, so this update is using the UK National Guidelines for HIV testing 2008 published by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the British HIV Association and the British Infection Society as the starting document. Experts in the field will be providing summaries on some of these subtopics, and links to other useful websites will also be provided.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Department of Health bulletins
The Department of Health publishes largely monthly bulletins to keep specific medical, non-medical and other health and social care staff up to date with what's happening in their area. There are bulletins for AHPs, nurses, GPs, medical directors and dentists as well as updates in areas such as emergency care, social care and for NHS Choices. The bulletins provide information on key initiatives, consultations and strategies for clinical practice and in education.
To see the full list, click here.
To see the full list, click here.
Monday, 13 October 2008
Cochrane Library: latest edition now online
The latest update to the Cochrane Library (Issue 4, October 2008) is now online. Highlights of new reviews can be viewed here (PDF). They include:
- LHRH agonists for adjuvant therapy of early breast cancer in premenopausal women
- Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis
- Probiotics for treating eczema
- Pelvic floor muscle training for prevention and treatment of urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women
- Dressings for superficial and partial thickness burns
- Acupuncture and assisted conception
- Low molecular weight heparin for prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients with lower-leg immobilization
Issue 4 introduces a new type of review – the Diagnostic Test Accuracy Review. These are full-text systematic reviews of studies that assess the accuracy of a diagnostic test or tests for a given target condition in a specific patient/ participant group and setting. The first such as review is Galactomannan detection for invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromized patients.
It is now possible to listen to 2 minute podcasts (audio summaries) from the Cochrane Library and to download them to an MP3 player. A list of podcasts is available here.
Training on searching the Cochrane Library is available from the hospital library. You may book a 1:1 session or book on one of the two remaining group sessions on Tuesday 21st October and Tuesday 2nd December.
It is now possible to listen to 2 minute podcasts (audio summaries) from the Cochrane Library and to download them to an MP3 player. A list of podcasts is available here.
Training on searching the Cochrane Library is available from the hospital library. You may book a 1:1 session or book on one of the two remaining group sessions on Tuesday 21st October and Tuesday 2nd December.
Friday, 10 October 2008
Online tutorial on searching databases: part 2
The second part of a two part online tutorial on searching the new Search 2.0 system on the National Library for Health which contains Medline, CINAHL and other major databases is now ready for testing.
We would be grateful if you could have a go at the tutorial and then complete the online questionnaire to provide feedback. This module covers searching using index terms, saving searches and alerts.
Module
Online survey
For a reminder about the first part of this tutorial click here.
We would be grateful if you could have a go at the tutorial and then complete the online questionnaire to provide feedback. This module covers searching using index terms, saving searches and alerts.
Module
Online survey
For a reminder about the first part of this tutorial click here.
Copyright survey
Between 22nd October and 5th December the Trust will be taking part in a survey conducted by the Copyright Licensing Authority (CLA). This will require staff who photocopy or scan copyright-protected materials to record their activity.
The exercise will take the form of survey forms and boxes positioned beside selected photocopiers with a request for staff to record what they have copied.
Included in the survey:
Books, journals, periodicals, magazines (including copies of such materials).
Not included in the survey:
Newspapers, internal correspondence, reports, Crown Copyright and NHS-published material.
For more detailed guidance please see the CLA licence.
Results from the survey will provide vital data to the CLA on the identity and volume of copyright publications which are being photocopied so that they can distribute the licence fee to those authors and publishers concerned. All staff are encouraged to support the initiative. For more information contact either Gary Wynne (Hospital Librarian) ext. 1545 or Paul Bayliss, (Head of Medical Illustration), ext. 1560.
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Annual Evidence Update on Diabetic Retinopathy 2008
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in working age people in the UK. By December 2007, 85.7% of people diagnosed with diabetes were offered screening for diabetic retinopathy. The UK leads the world in diabetic retinopathy screening. The Department of Health NSF target to screen 100% of people diagnosed with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy had not been met by the end of 2007, but the DH have now prioritised quality and safety over chasing the target and will continue to work with partners in Government, the NHS and the voluntary sector to improve the standard and quality of screening programmes across the country.
- Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Statement (April 2008)
Annual evidence updates - October 2008
The National Library for Health (NLH) Specialist Libraries have been developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice. They are web-based collections containing clinical and non-clinical information on the major health priority areas. Each NLH Specialist Library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2008 and 2009 is now available.
The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for October 2008:
Heart failure (Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library) on 6th October
Depression (Mental Health Specialist Library) on 6th October
A search of the four major databases (Cinahl, Embase, Medline and PsycInfo) for the latest evidence on depression published between January 2007 and the end of August 2008 retrieved over 2,000 hits. This evidence has been sifted. Just the high quality research has been retained, organised into categories and presented so that you can quickly and easily see what's new, reliable and relevant. The Update also features an audio podcast of interviews with leading experts in the field and will cover the following topics:
The size of the literature in breast cancer is large so the scope of the Annual Evidence Update has been divided into sections, which will consider:
Osteoarthritis (Musculoskeletal Specialist Library) on 13th October
The Musculoskeletal Specialist Library in conjunction with the Trauma & Orthopaedics Specialist Library have searched and sifted through the guidance and evidence published during the last year. This update includes guidelines issued by NICE, RCP and Clinical Knowledge Summaries and systematic reviews covering various treatment options including pharmacological therapies, physical therapies, complementary and alternative therapies and surgery.
The Annual Evidence Update is being released to coincide with World Arthritis Day on 12 October 2008.
Ethnicity / Inequality (Ethnicity Specialist Library) on 20th October
The Ethnicity and Health Specialist Library will focus on five themes from the NHS “Big Sixty” (the 60 biggest health conditions and problems that cause 80% of the burden of disease) for its Annual Evidence Update. Following an overall introduction from Dr Surinder Sharma, the equalities director for the NHS, each theme will be introduced by a leading national authority.
On Monday, the theme will be "Commissioning & Ethnic Monitoring", followed by ethnic aspects of “Oral Health/ Oral Cancer". On Wednesday we shall focus on “Cardiovascular Disease in Ethnic Minority Populations" and on Thursday: "Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity” and “Renal Complications of Diabetes in Ethnic Minority Populations". To close the week, we shall highlight issues around Mental Health, in particular, “Suicide & Self-Harm” and “Learning Disabilities”.
System reform (Health Management Specialist Library) on 27th October
This update provides an opportunity to bring together up-to-date knowledge and evidence about several key strands of NHS reform:
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2008 and 2009 is now available.
The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for October 2008:
Heart failure (Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library) on 6th October
Depression (Mental Health Specialist Library) on 6th October
A search of the four major databases (Cinahl, Embase, Medline and PsycInfo) for the latest evidence on depression published between January 2007 and the end of August 2008 retrieved over 2,000 hits. This evidence has been sifted. Just the high quality research has been retained, organised into categories and presented so that you can quickly and easily see what's new, reliable and relevant. The Update also features an audio podcast of interviews with leading experts in the field and will cover the following topics:
- Incidence and prevalence
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Populations
The size of the literature in breast cancer is large so the scope of the Annual Evidence Update has been divided into sections, which will consider:
- Causes, risks and prevention
- Screening
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Service delivery and standards
- Treatment and disease management - Biological therapy
- Treatment and disease management - Chemotherapy
- Treatment and disease management - Hormone therapy
- Treatment and disease management - Radiotherapy
- Treatment and disease management - Surgery
- Other therapies
- Psychosocial, quality of life and decision making
- Follow-up and miscellaneous topics
Osteoarthritis (Musculoskeletal Specialist Library) on 13th October
The Musculoskeletal Specialist Library in conjunction with the Trauma & Orthopaedics Specialist Library have searched and sifted through the guidance and evidence published during the last year. This update includes guidelines issued by NICE, RCP and Clinical Knowledge Summaries and systematic reviews covering various treatment options including pharmacological therapies, physical therapies, complementary and alternative therapies and surgery.
The Annual Evidence Update is being released to coincide with World Arthritis Day on 12 October 2008.
Ethnicity / Inequality (Ethnicity Specialist Library) on 20th October
The Ethnicity and Health Specialist Library will focus on five themes from the NHS “Big Sixty” (the 60 biggest health conditions and problems that cause 80% of the burden of disease) for its Annual Evidence Update. Following an overall introduction from Dr Surinder Sharma, the equalities director for the NHS, each theme will be introduced by a leading national authority.
On Monday, the theme will be "Commissioning & Ethnic Monitoring", followed by ethnic aspects of “Oral Health/ Oral Cancer". On Wednesday we shall focus on “Cardiovascular Disease in Ethnic Minority Populations" and on Thursday: "Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity” and “Renal Complications of Diabetes in Ethnic Minority Populations". To close the week, we shall highlight issues around Mental Health, in particular, “Suicide & Self-Harm” and “Learning Disabilities”.
System reform (Health Management Specialist Library) on 27th October
This update provides an opportunity to bring together up-to-date knowledge and evidence about several key strands of NHS reform:
- Patient choice
- Payment by results
- Commissioning
- Foundation trusts
- Alternative providers (including independent and third sector)
- Regulation
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Online tutorial on searching databases
A library colleague based in Chelmsford has created a two part online tutorial on searching the new Search 2.0 system on the National Library for Health which contains Medline, CINAHL and other major databases
Part 1 is now ready for testing. We would be grateful if you could have a go at the tutorial and then complete the online questionnaire to provide her with feedback. This module includes keyword searching, combining searches, adding limits to a search, repeating a search in a different database, viewing and saving/ printing your results.
You will need an Athens username and password to complete the tutorial. If you need one or have any queries about Athens resources our latest fact sheets may help you.
If you need any help or advice with the tutorial get in touch. Here in the library we are also able to offer face to face training in small groups or on a one to one basis.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Two more specialist libraries launched
Infections Specialist Library
Provides convenient and comprehensive access to the highest quality evidence on the investigation, prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases from a clinical perspective. This is intended to keep health professionals up to date with the burgeoning amount of infectious disease evidence that is emerging daily. Resources in the library include:
The library is free, and aims to be a one-stop shop providing timely and efficient access to high quality information resources for all those involved in commissioning for health and wellbeing. It endeavours to include the best available evidence, examples of good practice, policy and data to support world class commissioning.
The Commissioning Specialist Library is managed by the King's Fund Information and Library Service. It will be officially launched at the King's Fund Annual Conference in November 2008.
Provides convenient and comprehensive access to the highest quality evidence on the investigation, prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases from a clinical perspective. This is intended to keep health professionals up to date with the burgeoning amount of infectious disease evidence that is emerging daily. Resources in the library include:
- Reviews and systematic reviews
- National and international guidelines
- Examples of best practice
- Standard Operating Protocols
- Government health policies and standards
- News and events
The library is free, and aims to be a one-stop shop providing timely and efficient access to high quality information resources for all those involved in commissioning for health and wellbeing. It endeavours to include the best available evidence, examples of good practice, policy and data to support world class commissioning.
The Commissioning Specialist Library is managed by the King's Fund Information and Library Service. It will be officially launched at the King's Fund Annual Conference in November 2008.
Monday, 8 September 2008
New resource: vascular diseases specialist library
A new specialist library has been added to the collection of specialist libraries on the National Library for Health website. The Vascular Diseases Specialist Library aims to provide high quality, evidence-based information on all of aspects of vascular diseases and will complement the Cardiovascular and Stroke libraries.
To search the site use the left hand menu or search box above. This site is still being developed and further content will be added to this collection over the coming weeks and months.
The NLH specialist libraries have been developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice. This could be for a particular specialty, type of health service or patient group. Each specialist library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.
To search the site use the left hand menu or search box above. This site is still being developed and further content will be added to this collection over the coming weeks and months.
The NLH specialist libraries have been developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice. This could be for a particular specialty, type of health service or patient group. Each specialist library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
New e-books
The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine and Oxford Handbook of Nurse Prescribing are now available to NHS staff via their Athens accounts.
These, and a range of other e-books are available via the National Library for Health website:
These, and a range of other e-books are available via the National Library for Health website:
- Go to www.library.nhs.uk/
- Log in to Athens in the grey box
- Click E-books under the Books, Journals and Healthcare Databases heading
You can then search for, and within titles, or browse by publisher, specialty, or alphabetically by title.
If you need help with using the e-books collection, known as MyiLibrary, please contact the library (ext 1544).
If you need help with using the e-books collection, known as MyiLibrary, please contact the library (ext 1544).
Monday, 1 September 2008
Annual evidence updates - September 2008
The National Library for Health (NLH) Specialist Libraries have been developed to identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice. They are web-based collections containing clinical and non-clinical information on the major health priority areas. Each NLH Specialist Library identifies and provides access to quality assessed information of relevance to the community that it serves.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2008 and 2009 is now available.
The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for September 2008:
Headache (Neurological Conditions Specialist Library) on 1st September
A systematic search on headache and migraine to identify all high level evidence published from 2006 - 2008, namely guidelines, systematic reviews, health technology assessments and economic evaluations.
Hepatitis B/C (Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases Specialist Library) on 8th September
A systematic search on Hepatitis B and C to identify all high level evidence published in the past year, namely guidelines, systematic reviews, health technology assessments and economic evaluations.
Special care dentistry (Oral Health Specialist Library) on 8th September
In recognition of the new consultant speciality of Special Care Dentistry, the Oral Health Specialist Library is presenting a new Annual Evidence Update that identifies relevant, high quality information published in this area. The speciality has been defined as: 'the improvement of oral health of individuals and groups in society who have a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical emotional or social impairment or disability or, more often, a combination of these factors'. The update also features reviews of two specific areas of interest identified by oral health professionals: bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and antibiotic prophylaxis in bacterial endocarditis.
Alzheimer's disease and dementia (Later Life Specialist Library) on 15th September
The update aims to provide healthcare professionals with a clear path to the most important recent evidence surrounding the five major types of dementias: Alzheimer’s; Vascular dementia; Dementia with lewy bodies; Frontotemportal dementia, and mixed dementias.
Eczema (Skin Disorders Specialist Library) on 15th September
The results of a search for new systematic reviews published since the first Annual Evidence Update in September 2007. Also included are a range of invited expert commentaries on current themes in atopic eczema, an analysis of what is new in systematic reviews and its implications for clinical practice, and a mapping by topic of all systematic reviews on atopic eczema published since 2000.
Surgical management of faecal incontinence (Surgery, Theatres & Anaesthesia Specialist Library) on 15th September
This update coincides with National Continence Awareness week. NICE guidance on faecal incontinence was published in June 2007 based on literature published prior to October 2006. Therefore this update will highlight relevant, good quality evidence published from October 2006 onwards focusing specifically on surgical management (including sacral nerve modulation and implants).
Antenatal and pregnancy care (Women's Health Specialist Library) on 29th September
The update brings together the results of a comprehensive literature search for new research published since July 2007.
CAM for low back pain (Complementary & Alternative Medicine Specialist Library) on 29th September
A list of relevant guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials, along with commentary from experts, published between June 2007 and July 2008.
Hyperthyroidism (ENT and Audiology Specialist Library) on 29th September
Research on thyroid disorders continues to proliferate and this evidence update will present a concise summary of the latest systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials on the topic, combined with expert opinion on recent developments and a list of current therapeutic uncertainties.
An aspect of this involves the production of Annual Evidence Updates, which aim to highlight the best current evidence for selected healthcare topics. Annual Evidence Updates consist of the good quality evidence from a search of research evidence on a particular topic over a 12 month period, plus user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research, if applicable. All information included in Annual Evidence Updates has been subject to rigorous selection criteria.
The calendar of currently confirmed Annual Evidence Updates for 2008 and 2009 is now available.
The following Annual Evidence Updates are scheduled for September 2008:
Headache (Neurological Conditions Specialist Library) on 1st September
A systematic search on headache and migraine to identify all high level evidence published from 2006 - 2008, namely guidelines, systematic reviews, health technology assessments and economic evaluations.
Hepatitis B/C (Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases Specialist Library) on 8th September
A systematic search on Hepatitis B and C to identify all high level evidence published in the past year, namely guidelines, systematic reviews, health technology assessments and economic evaluations.
Special care dentistry (Oral Health Specialist Library) on 8th September
In recognition of the new consultant speciality of Special Care Dentistry, the Oral Health Specialist Library is presenting a new Annual Evidence Update that identifies relevant, high quality information published in this area. The speciality has been defined as: 'the improvement of oral health of individuals and groups in society who have a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical emotional or social impairment or disability or, more often, a combination of these factors'. The update also features reviews of two specific areas of interest identified by oral health professionals: bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and antibiotic prophylaxis in bacterial endocarditis.
Alzheimer's disease and dementia (Later Life Specialist Library) on 15th September
The update aims to provide healthcare professionals with a clear path to the most important recent evidence surrounding the five major types of dementias: Alzheimer’s; Vascular dementia; Dementia with lewy bodies; Frontotemportal dementia, and mixed dementias.
Eczema (Skin Disorders Specialist Library) on 15th September
The results of a search for new systematic reviews published since the first Annual Evidence Update in September 2007. Also included are a range of invited expert commentaries on current themes in atopic eczema, an analysis of what is new in systematic reviews and its implications for clinical practice, and a mapping by topic of all systematic reviews on atopic eczema published since 2000.
Surgical management of faecal incontinence (Surgery, Theatres & Anaesthesia Specialist Library) on 15th September
This update coincides with National Continence Awareness week. NICE guidance on faecal incontinence was published in June 2007 based on literature published prior to October 2006. Therefore this update will highlight relevant, good quality evidence published from October 2006 onwards focusing specifically on surgical management (including sacral nerve modulation and implants).
Antenatal and pregnancy care (Women's Health Specialist Library) on 29th September
The update brings together the results of a comprehensive literature search for new research published since July 2007.
CAM for low back pain (Complementary & Alternative Medicine Specialist Library) on 29th September
A list of relevant guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials, along with commentary from experts, published between June 2007 and July 2008.
Hyperthyroidism (ENT and Audiology Specialist Library) on 29th September
Research on thyroid disorders continues to proliferate and this evidence update will present a concise summary of the latest systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials on the topic, combined with expert opinion on recent developments and a list of current therapeutic uncertainties.
Revised library charges
As from Monday 1st September 2008 the following charges will apply:
Interlibrary loans (items from other libraries)
Photocopy cards
Overdue book charges
Please ask for our current charges.
Interlibrary loans (items from other libraries)
- Copy article obtained from another local/ NHS library: £2.00
- Book loan from another NHS library: £5.00
- Copy article from the British Library: £5.25
- Book loan from the British Library: £15.00
Photocopy cards
- 30 A4/ 15 A3 copies: £2.00 (6.6p per A4 page)
- 90 A4/ 45 A3 copies: £5.00 (5.5p per A4 page)
Overdue book charges
- Standard loan books: 6p per day
- Short loan books: 10p per day
- 5p per page
Fax service
- UK only: 50 p per page
Please ask for our current charges.
Monday, 18 August 2008
Free search skills training
The library offers a range of hands-on, small group training courses. The sessions are suitable for anyone undertaking research, writing practice guidelines or wanting to keep up to date with current practice. All courses take place in the IT skills room in the postgraduate medical education centre.
Finding quality healthcare information on the Internet: an overview of key resources
Finding quality healthcare information on the Internet: an overview of key resources
- Tuesday 30th September 9.30 - 12.30
- Tuesday 11th November 9.30 - 12.30
Searching the literature: an introduction to Athens, accessing full-text journals and constructing simple database searches
- Friday 12th September 9.30-12.30
- Thursday 2nd October 9.30 - 12.30
- Tuesday 28th October 1.30 - 4.30
- Tuesday 4th November 9.30 - 12.30
- Wednesday 19th November 9.30 - 12.30
- Thursday 18th December 9.30 - 12.30
The Cochrane Library: finding best evidence
- Tuesday 21st October 9.30 - 12.00
Finding the evidence: an introduction to the Cochrane Library and other evidence-based resources
- Tuesday 2nd December 10.00 - 4.00
(The Cochrane Library 10.00-12.30; other key evidence-based resources and tools 1.30-4.00). Participants may attend the whole day or just the morning or afternoon session.
How to book a place
Simply email us or call ext 1544. We are happy to discuss your training needs and answer questions on the content of any of these courses. From 1st September you will find course outlines and training materials on our new web site www.ipswichhospital.nhs.uk/library.
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