When we search for information on the internet, we enter a search command in the form of keywords and it provides some results. As search engines have become more sophisticated (using semantic search, paid for rankings and previous browsing history) what we retrieve isn’t always what we have asked for. The really effective search engines like Google, make your results appear very relevant and for most of our search needs what is provided is good enough so we don’t question them.
 
However, when we are searching for clinical evidence do we really want to use such algorithms to presuppose what we want? Or worse, rank ‘sponsored posts’ higher up the results list?
 
In the Library, we don’t rely on these types of search when looking for clinical evidence.  A Clinical Librarian will structure a search to ensure that what is requested is what is retrieved. Being able to search a database which is free from advertising or other annoying algorithms ensures that you maintain control over your own information retrieval.
 
Serendipity and discovery are useful functions of search but sometimes we just need to find precisely, the best evidence to answer a clinical question. If you would like to learn how to structure a search using medical databases please contact Holly in the library on: holly.cook3@nhs.net   ​

Are you starting a new course, project or research in 2019? You will need an NHS Athens account!
Do you need to keep up-to-date with advances in your speciality, or do background research for patient care? You will need an NHS Athens account!
 
NHS Athens is a single username/password which will give you access to the majority of our information resources:

• databases (e.g. Medline, Cinahl, Embase, etc)
  
• e-books (access hundreds of books fulltext, including the Oxford Medicine series, Royal Marsden, key clinical textbooks, leadership and management, and much more);
  
• e-journals (all our journals are now only available online – access the fulltext of articles with your Athens login);
• apps (BMJ Best Practice, BNF/BNFC are all available for you to download and use for free);
• clinical information and point-of-care tools (BMJ Best Practice and BMJ Learning are freely available with an East Cheshire NHS Athens login);
  
• and more!
  

 
Create a free NHS Athens account at: https://openathens.nice.org.uk

​​​For more information or to book a training session please email the Library or call 01625 661362.

BMJ Learning is available to all staff at East Cheshire NHS Trust with an OpenAthens account.
BMJ Learning offers high-quality continuing medical education for doctors and other healthcare professionals. It features hundreds of accredited, peer-reviewed learning modules in text, video, and audio formats.
Why is it useful?
It is important for anyone interested in continuing professional development (CPD) and other educational aims. BMJ Learning contains a large amount of free educational resources.
How do I use them?
You need an East Cheshire NHS Athens account (free to set up at https://openathens.nice.org.uk) to then access BMJ Learning here: http://learning.bmj.com/learning/home.html.
If you would like more information, a demonstration at your ward/meeting or help creating an OpenAthens account please contact Holly Cook (3398), Steve Collman (1547) or the Library desk (1362).

The Library has recently revamped its training programme.  Courses are available to all ECT staff.

• Overview of Online Library Resources – an introduction to the ‘Evidence Portal’ on the library website and basic evidence searching. Useful for all Trust staff who want a basic overview of quality clinical information resources.
• Advanced Evidence Searching – an in-depth look at how to conduct an evidence search. Useful for anyone wanting to conduct a thorough literature search for a clinical audit, systematic review, or similar.
• Study and Research Skills – a basic overview of useful skills and resources for coursework or research. Useful for anyone returning to study after a break away from education, or starting a personal research project.
• How to do a Systematic Review – a structured approach for how to conduct a systematic review. Useful for anyone undertaking a systematic review.
• Introduction to Critical Appraisal – how to read a paper. Useful for anyone who makes decisions based on research papers.
• Social Media in the Workplace – how to use social media in a professional capacity. Useful for anyone who wants to use social media for professional communications.
• Basic IT Skills – learn the basics or improve your skills and confidence in using a computer. Topics can include file management, Word, PowerPoint or Email. Useful for absolute beginners or those who would like a refresher.

 
Training can be conducted in the library or your place of work, and is arranged for 1:1 or small groups, tailored to your specific requirements. More information is available: www.eastcheshirenhslibrary.net/training.html

For more information or to book a session contact the Library & Knowledge Service:
Tel: 01625 661362
Email: ecn-tr.stafflibrary@nhs.net

Nurses at East Cheshire NHS Trust now have access to RCNi Decision Support.

Brian Green, Deputy Director of Nursing & Quality, and other senior nursing staff have viewed this tool and would encourage nursing staff to use it and feedback with any comments to the library.

RCNi Decision Support is an interactive point-of-care tool designed to support nurses with making evidence-based decisions when assessing and treating patients. It includes more than 100 topics which focus on patient safety and reducing common errors in practice.

This tool complements Royal Marsden; it teaches and facilitates decision making in an interactive way.

As well as a patient facing tool it can be used for:

• A teaching aid
• Reflective practice
• Revalidation
• CPD

The content is authored by a mixture of nurses and academics who are all currently practicing in their field.  Content is drawn from guidance and is updated when the guidance changes to ensure that all the content is current.

East Cheshire NHS Trust are early adopters of this tool and through our/your feedback will help the RCNi shape this useful resource.

Access to this tool is by individual username and password.

If you would like access, more information or a demonstration at your ward/meeting please contact Holly Cook (3398) or the Library desk (1362)​ ​

​The Topol Review, formally “Preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver the digital future” was launched by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care last month (February 11th 2019).
 
In 2017, Dr Eric Topol (a cardiologist, geneticist and digital medicine expert) was invited by Jeremy Hunt, the then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to carry out an independent review that would consider the following:
 
• How technological innovation (genomics, digital medicine, AI and robotics) and other developments are likely to change the roles and functions of clinical staff in all professions over the next two decades to deliver more effective and more personal care for patients. 
 
• The implications of these changes for the workforce skills required, identifying those professions or sub-specialisms where the changes may be particularly significant. 
 
• The consequences for the selection, curricula, education, training, development and lifelong learning of current and future NHS staff.
 
The Topol Review is not about the technology, it’s about the impact of the technology on the workforce. This review is integral to Library and Knowledge Services and we will be looking at how we can help to deliver its recommendations.
 
A few highlights for us are:  

• Widening digital participation: (in helping people with health inequalities) In using networks, training and innovative approaches to help people improve their digital health skills. It achieved scale and reach, with people learning to access health information online for the first time, feeling more informed about their health and confident about using online tools to manage their health. There were further identified positive benefits for health professionals, including improvement in their skills and adapting the way that they delivered services. (p. 25) Library service = training on digital resources

 

• Culture of Learning: Key ingredients of the learning culture are: encouraging lifelong learning, openness to collaboration and effective codesign and a greater understanding of human intelligence (p.75) Library service = knowledge management advice and implementation

 

• Educating the workforce: Healthcare knowledge is growing at such a rate that it is challenging to keep up to date. Access to mobile learning and machine learning means that there is a need to define what information students need to know (p.79) Library service = provision of resources to enable evidence based decision making and staff development

 
If you have any questions on the review or you would like to discuss improving knowledge management in your area then please do contact us on: ecn-tr.stafflibrary@nhs.net or extension 1362.