Finding, using and managing information

The drive for evidence-based practice within health care, and the recent trend towards eHealth, is dependent on staff being able to handle information effectively, by maintaining standards in their own practice, and by supporting the informed patient.

In Principles of Nursing Practice, published last year, the RCN highlighted that: ‘Nurses and nursing staff [must] have up to date knowledge and skills, and use these with intelligence, insight and understanding in line with the needs of each individual in their care.’

The RCN’s Integrated core career and competence framework for registered nurses framework brings together dimensions of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) which are the most relevant to nursing and midwifery. The RCN have recently published 'Finding, using and managing information' which aims to support and develop health service workers  information skills. To access the guideline click on the image to the left.

Worcestershire Health Libraries specialise in the finding, managing and using of information to support practice so get in touch with your nearest Health Library today to see how we can help you reach the below headline competencies.

The headline information literacy competences are:
1. identifying why information is needed
2. identifying what information is needed
3. carrying out a search to find information
4. evaluating how the information meets the identified need
5. using information and knowledge inclusively, legally and ethically
6. managing information
7. creating new information or knowledge.

How does WHL support patient care?

Over the next three months we will be conducting an impact study to answer this question. We have already seen that our literature searches have increased clinical knowledge and saved clinical time. Now we would like to see how you use the articles you request from us.

If you request an article between February and May please take the time to reply to the survey.

The results will be published on this blog later in May.

British Library requests

The British Library is currently unable to access many of its journals because of the discovery of asbestos in some of the buildings. This could mean that we might not be able to fulfil some of your article requests.

Unfortunately we don't know how long this situation is likely to continue, but will keep you updated. In the meantime, please accept our apologies. We will, of course, continue to try to obtain as many articles as possible from our other suppliers.

Things to do in 2011

Why don't you make sure you stay up-to-date with all the latest evidence-based information in the New Year. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Visit Worcestershire Health Libraries website to find out about all the services we offer
2. Make sure you have an Athens username and password, you will need this to access literature search databases, E-journals and E-books.
3. Book a training session with one of our librarians to brush up on your information skills
4. Have a look at the wealth of information provided by NHS Evidence Health Information Resources
5. Request a literature search to update you on a particular subject area with results delivered straight to your inbox
6. Subscribe to RSS feeds for your favourite journal (Athens required)
7. Pop into your local health library to see what we can do for you!

Happy New Year from Worcestershire Health Libraries.

Focus Group Feedback

Here are the results of recent Focus Groups carried out by Worcestershire Health Libraries

They were conducted with Allied Health Professionals and Professions Allied to Technical Services because these groups were identified as low users of the library services

8 focus groups conducted September - November 2010

40 people gave us their views

YOU SAID

Induction sessions are important...  

staff are not aware of the full range of resources ...

So we’ve arranged to see new staff as part of their departmental induction and will lobby to be on Trust inductions   

                

There is a limited knowledge of remotely available services...

with staff not having the time to visit the library...

So we’ve run departmental training sessions, set up stalls at training days and displays outside the staff restaurant to raise awareness of our virtual services

Evidence-Based culture is not yet embedded...

many staff are not aware of high-quality web-based resources and use general search engines without links to free, evidence-based information...

so we’ve identified Team Knowledge Officers who can work with us to promote evidence-based practice in their teams 

Some electronic resources are not straightforward to use...

passwords, unfamiliarity and poor design can be barriers...

so we’ve re-designed our web-site and are offering training on how to use NHS Evidence

Library staff are appreciated...

but the library environment can be intimidating...

so all staff have been reminded to create a welcoming atmosphere conducive to study and “we’re here to help” posters are displayed

Want to know more about Health Libraries

There is an interesting article in the latest edition of the British Journal of Healthcare Assistants. The article is available from any of our Health Libraries and focuses on using a library and all the services you can expect from Health Libraries. The article details are below - email us if you would like a copy.

British Journal of Healthcare Assistants
Vol. 4, Iss. 11 Nov 2010 pp538-540
Beyond borrowing books: make the most out of libraries
Ian Peate, Pauline Pickering

Stay up-to-date in Mental Health

Visit Worcestershire Health Libraries Mental Health Current Awareness for all the latest news, views and research in the Mental Health field.

Find all the latest published research available through Worcestreshire Health Libraries covering the whole spectrum of Mental Health.