Cochrane Library - latest issue now online

The latest edition (Issue 2, 2009) of the Cochrane Library is now available. Eight-nine new systematic reviews and 145 new review protocols had been added to the database. These include:

• Maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour
• Homeopathic medicines for adverse effects of cancer treatments
• Music for stress and anxiety reduction in coronary heart disease patients
• Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community
• Dental fillings for the treatment of caries in the primary dentition
• Surgery for obesity
• Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point P6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting
• Statins for the prevention of dementia
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief in labour

Click here for a full update and summaries of key new reviews (PDF).

The library can provide training on searching the Cochrane Library. Please contact us (ext 1545) or see our website.

Swine influenza

The hot topic of the moment is swine influenza with warnings of a potential global pandemic. Here are some key links to help you keep informed (with thanks to Keith Nockels, Information Librarian at the University of Leicester).

• Advice of tracking swine influenza online
  
• HealthMap
  
• BBC News - Q&A and an interview with Maureen Baker, Head of Pandemic Planning at the Royal College of General Practitioners
  
• Latest BBC News (5/5/09)
  
• Joint BMA/ RCGP guidance
  
• World Health Organization
  
• Health Protection Agency (UK)
  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
  
• National Library of Medicine (US)
  
• Dynamed (latest consolodated information)
  
• TRIP blog (again lists other useful links)
  
• WebMD
  
• Twitter - what's being talking about

To search for information on swine influenza on Intute (health and life sciences) use the following search strategy:

• swine (flu or influenza or fever)

Don't forget the library can run a detailed literature search for you on this or any other topic. Click here to request a literature search.

Training in searching the healthcare literature

The library is continuing to offer hands-on, small group training on the core healthcare databases, including Medline and CINAHL. We are pleased to announce dates throughout the spring and summer. Unless stated, the sessions run from 9.30 to 12.30 in the IT skills training room, opposite Cafe Gypps in the education centre.

• Wednesday 6th May
• Thursday 28th May (1.30pm to 4.30pm)
• Monday 15th June
• Thursday 2nd July
• Thursday 16th July
• Wednesday 9th September
• Thursday 17th September

To book a place either contact the library (ext 1544) or use the online booking form on our website.

Alternatively, library staff are happy to offer one to one assistance in searching these databases, and a range of other resources such as the Cochrane Library. Again, please contact the library to make an appointment.

There are also two excellent online tutorials on searching the healthcare databases which you can do in your own time and at your own pace.

Easter library opening

The hospital library will not be staffed over the Easter weekend. It will close on Thursday 9th April at 5.00 pm and reopen at 8.30 am on Tuesday 14th April. Any member of staff needing out of hours access should ensure that they contact the library for an up to date door PIN. [Ext 1545 or hospital.library@ipswichhospital.nhs.uk]