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.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
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.
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