Literature Searching

Library Support

Literature searching puts evidence based practice at the forefront of clinical practice- allowing you to find appropriate articles which could have a direct impact upon patients, service planning, clinical support, further research or simply to keep up to date with your area of expertise.

Evidence can support:

An audit
A care pathway
A guideline
Protocol development
Direct patient care
Service planning and decision making
Presentations/ training
Research
Systematic Reviews

Literature searching provides you with the information you need to find the types of articles that will help you with your clinical practice or research. It is a skill that can be developed and should be incorporated into daily practice.

The Library can support you with training on this topic – (either on a 1:1 basis or as a group) should you wish to develop your skills in this area. Please contact; katie.roper@lscft.nhs.uk to arrange a session.

We also provide literature searching as part of our service. Simply fill out the form below and send it back to academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Literature-Search-form Download

We kindly ask that you give us 10 working days to find the evidence for your request.

Closure of HDAS for Literature Searching

On 31^st March 2022 the current database (HDAS) used to conduct literature searches will be switched off.

Once HDAS has closed access to bibliographic databases will be via the various providers’ websites. Please be aware that requests for literature searches will be delayed as we familiarise ourselves with the new interfaces so please allow extra time when making requests.

If you have undertaken any searches yourself and would like to be able to access these results after the end of March please have a look at the following webpage for further information:-

HDAS closure information – https://www.nice.org.uk/about/what-we-do/evidence-services/journals-and-databases/hdas-closure-information

Training material on the new platforms is currently being designed and will be made available soon.

If you have questions please contact the Library Team: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk

Further updates on this change-over will be published here on the blog and on our Twitter feed.

Library Team

New team member

Hello from your new outreach librarian

Hello everyone,

I wanted to formally introduce myself. My name is Katie Roper and I am the newly appointed outreach librarian across Lancashire and South Cumbria. I have a background in education, and it was during my time teaching in Birmingham Children’s Hospital, I realised I wanted to work for the NHS rather than alongside it.. now here we are.

My role involves supporting all staff, students, and service users to effectively and efficiently use electronic resources to make decisions and judgements based on evidence based practice.

Struggling to find evidence in your field of work? Short of time to find your own evidence? Contact the library service to aid you with a literature search. Training can also be provided to support your own professional development.

Literature-Search-form-1 Download

Need help keeping up to date with current information? Contact us for KnowledgeShare request forms or speak to a member of our team where alerts can be personalised to suit your needs.

KnowledgeShare-sign-up-form Download

Do you know where to find the latest clinical information? Contact the library team to ensure you have access to a wide range of resources- including; Athens, BMJ, Anatomy. TV, individual journals and e-books accessible at home and work.

Library-Registration-Form-2 Download

We are here to support you throughout. Feel free to pop into the library for free tea and coffee, computer access, hotdesking spaces and relaxed meeting areas.

Looking forward to working collaboratively with you all. Please send any completed forms to: academic.library@lancashirecare.nhs.uk. Remember to subsribe to this blog, using the link on the top right of the page for daily updates, bulletins and current awareness updates. Alternatively, feel free to contact me with any questions, queries or support needs; katie.roper@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

Katie Roper