Health Library News

 As the temperatures climb it is getting hot in the Health Library. The hot weather doesn't have to disrupt your study or work session. Here are our top tips for library visitors to stay comfortable and focused during warm weather. What you can do – hints and tips to stay cool Keep hydrated – we have a water dispenser along from the counter, opposite the training room. Please feel free to get yourself some water, cups are available or top up your own bottle. Other refreshments are available within the CEC building and the hospital. Wear loose and light clothing Find a shady spot in the library - avoid the centre of the library under the skylight, keep to the shady areas by the windows and book shelves Use the silent study room – this is often the coolest room in the library Take a fresh air break – try to find a shady spot outside if you are feeling stuffy Borrow a laptop – and try to find a cooler spot to work either at home, in the CEC or hospital. You can check laptop avail...

What is NEJM Evidence? New England Journal of Medicine Evidence (NEJM Evidence) is an online journal which publishes original research and focuses on clinical trial design and decision-making. It often includes an editorial article to accompany the research article which analyses and appraises the trial design and discusses any problematic elements. This offers you the opportunity to examine research articles and develop your own critical appraisal skills. Learn more about NEJM Evidence, including a short video, from the NEJM website . Example articles Here are some example articles. Read the research then follow up with the discussion article. Original article: Wrist Splinting versus a Placebo Soft Bandage for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/EVIDoa2500261 Editorial: Policy Implications of Placebo Bandage for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/EVIDe2600038 Original article: Every Six-Month versus Single-Dose Adjuvant Zoledronate in Early Breast Can...

  In the fast-paced world of healthcare, staying up-to-date with the latest research is not just beneficial—it’s essential. New evidence, research, guidelines, and innovations are published every day, shaping how care is delivered and improving patient outcomes. Finding and filtering relevant information can be a challenge. Your Health Library can help – learn more about our current awareness service. What Is a Current Awareness Service? A Current Awareness Service is designed to help busy NHS professionals stay informed without the need to constantly search for new information. It delivers regular, targeted updates on the latest publications in your specific area of interest. Instead of spending hours trawling through databases or journals, you receive summaries of the most relevant research—straight to your inbox. Why does it matter to NHS staff? Keeping up with evidence-based practice is a core part of delivering high-quality care. The Current Awareness Service helps yo...

Ebsco is changing the interface for its databases, such as Cinahl and Medline. These databases are used for running literature searches. The platform for ebsco databases is also called ebscohost. The change is expected to take place on the 14 th July. Have you saved searches or search alerts? You will need to act to avoid losing things you have saved. Why is EBSCOhost changing? There has been little change to EBSCO databases over a number of years.   EBSCO say the new version will offer an enhanced experience and allow the addition of new features. What isn’t changing? Your access to EBSCO databases will continue to be via the Health library website and your existing NHS OpenAthens login.   The account you use to save things (My EBSCO) will be retained although some content will be lost if you do not act. What do I need to do?   Will I lose my saved searches? If you do not use EBSCOhost or ebsco databases then no action is required. If you do use EBSCOhos...

  Pride Month takes place in June every year in the UK with the aim of celebrating and honouring LGBTQ+ communities all around the world. It is about acceptance, equality and raising awareness of issues affecting the community, including health related issues.   RELATED LIBRARY RESOURCES     The Health Libraries, both at the Royal Stoke and County Hospitals, offer numerous resources on LGBTQ+ related health topics. In the lists below you’ll find a small selection of items from our collection. To locate these items, simply go to our online catalogue or ask at the counter.  This document covers the following resources – books , journals , journal articles and patient information .   BOOKS       How can we be wrong?: A bio-fictional LGBTQIA+ memoir ; Austin, Max; 2024 – part of our Patient Voices Collection. Clinician's guide to LGBTQIA+ care: cultural safety and social justice in primary, sexual and reproductive healthcare ; Mukerjee, Ro...

 Get the best evidence from essential resources such as ebooks, journals and databases. Whenever you’re looking for the right information for confident clinical decisions, career development, research projects or support for patient care, make sure you can access the best evidence. Access NHS and Health Library subscribed resources using your NHS OpenAthens username and password. What is NHS OpenAthens and are you eligible? Complete our quick quiz NHS OpenAthens – what’s fact or fake? to learn… What is NHS OpenAthens? Are you eligible? What resources you can access? How can you register? home page for the nhs openathens quiz Practice evidence-based healthcare by accessing the best evidence using your NHS OpenAthens username. More help Contact the Health Library for more help finding and accessing the information you need.

 The NHS will be moving to a new version of the EBSCOhost interface used to search journal literature including the CINAHL database.  The transition is expected to take place on the 14 th July.  Action may be required if you have have saved searches and regular alerts set up. You can continue to access the databases from the Health Library website , using your NHS OpenAthens username. We will share opportunities to learn more about how to search on the new EBSCOhost shortly. Some FAQs have been created to support the change – please do look and take action to ensure you do not lose saved work. What is happening to EBSCOhost and what do I need to do as a user?  

 Communicating effectively with your patients is an important aspect of your healthcare job. Understanding the health literacy of your patients is elemental in supporting their healthcare needs and ensuring good healthcare outcomes. Do you get it right? South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust have produced some videos to demonstrate how the teach back and chunk and check techniques can help you to communicate effectively with your patients. Phone call example Pharmacy example Directions example For more help developing patient information check out our etutorial 10 steps to creating patient information.

 We have updated the social media channels we use. You can now follow us: On Instagram as part of  Keele Libraries On Facebook as part of  Keele Libraries On LinkedIn as part of  UHNM Health Libraries We'll still post to our Health Library News blog and Information Skills for Health blog . So make sure you keep up-to-date with all the news from the Health Library!

    *** The Health Library will be closed for bank holiday:  Monday 25th May. *** Please check our website for opening hours information.

  As we head towards summer it is important to look after your skin and protect it from the sun.  Skin Cancer Awareness Month takes place every May to highlight the risks associated with exposure to ultraviolent light & to raise awareness about the importance of sun protection. RELATED LIBRARY RESOURCES     The Health Libraries, both at the Royal Stoke and County Hospitals, offer resources related to this topic. In the lists below you’ll find a small selection of items from our collection. To locate these items, simply go to our online catalogue or ask at the counter.  This document covers the following resources – books , journals , journal articles and patient information .   BOOKS   Skin Cancer ; Cazzato, Gerardo; 2025; (IntechOpen) – available online as an Open Access e-book Fast Facts: Skin Cancer ; Agnew, Karen L; Bunker, Chris; Arron, Sarah T; 2013; (Health Press); 2 nd edition – only available as a Keele e-book ABC of Skin Cancer ; Ra...