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1 – 10 of over 1000Arian Abdulla and Mangala Krishnamurthy
Effective literature searches are critical to researchers and health care professionals. To conduct literature searches, clinicians, researchers and nurses rely primarily on a few…
Abstract
Purpose
Effective literature searches are critical to researchers and health care professionals. To conduct literature searches, clinicians, researchers and nurses rely primarily on a few major databases (PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, etc.) to retrieve information. However, there is a lack of literature on the comparative efficiencies of major databases for systematic review results on a clinically related topic. This paper aims to fill that gap in the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
Cochrane Handbook (2011) defines systematic review as a review of a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and explicit methods to identify, select and critically appraise relevant research and to collect and analyze data from the studies that are included in the review. In this paper, search results of systematic reviews on a clinical topic between two major databases – PubMed and Cochrane Library – are compared.
Findings
Searching within PubMed for key terms in the titles and abstracts of articles is important to include in any systematic review, in addition to searching Medical Subject Heading terms. After applying filters, PubMed retrieved 130 systematic reviews that matched the criteria. In Cochrane Library, the searches were performed on the chosen topic using Boolean and phrase searching: text field searches resulted in 251 reviews. The search was further narrowed by subject, which yielded 20 reviews. It is strongly recommended to use multiple health-care specialty databases, check for duplicate reviews in the results and not limit results to English-only publications.
Practical implications
This paper can be used to introduce new researchers and/or students to methods for conducting systematic reviews using two or more databases on a chosen topic.
Originality/value
This paper fills a gap in the literature regarding comparative efficiencies of major databases for systematic review results on clinically related topics.
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Emmanuel E. Baro, Benake‐ebide C. Endouware and Janet O. Ubogu
The aim of this paper is to investigate whether undergraduate students in the College of Health Sciences in Niger Delta University are information literate, and to determine…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate whether undergraduate students in the College of Health Sciences in Niger Delta University are information literate, and to determine whether they are aware of and use different information resources including electronic ones, and to assess their ability to evaluate information before use.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaire and interview methods were used to collect data from the students.
Findings
The students mostly rely on textbooks, medical journals, the internet, colleagues, and the Nigerian National University Commission's virtual library for information. They rarely use electronic resources such as MEDLINE, HINARI, the Cochrane Library, and EbscoHost. This could be because of a lack of awareness and skills necessary to search databases. Problems such as lack of time, the challenge of locating “good citable stuff”, inability to use effectively the medical library, and poor skills in information searching were mentioned. The study recommends that medical librarians and faculty should collaborate in integrating information literacy skills into the medical school curriculum.
Originality/value
This paper may help inform discussion about students' competences for locating, selecting, evaluating and using information essential for lifelong learning.
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Discusses the development of regionally organised electronic library services within the NHS. Examines evidence for the effectiveness of electronic library services both in the UK…
Abstract
Discusses the development of regionally organised electronic library services within the NHS. Examines evidence for the effectiveness of electronic library services both in the UK and abroad. Draws attention to the inter‐dependence of electronic and conventional library services.
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Abstract
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The National eletronic Library for Health (NeLH) is to write a new knowledge service for patients and clinicians. This article describes the background to NeLH in Information for…
Abstract
The National eletronic Library for Health (NeLH) is to write a new knowledge service for patients and clinicians. This article describes the background to NeLH in Information for Health and outlines the aims, benefits and architecture of the proposed service. It identifies the challenge to Health librarians to develop new skills in informatics and critical appraisal.
The main aim of the study is to determine whether information therapy (Ix) services are rendered in hospital/medical libraries in Iran and India and to identify the role of…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of the study is to determine whether information therapy (Ix) services are rendered in hospital/medical libraries in Iran and India and to identify the role of librarians in providing health information to patients in the context of information therapy (Ix) services, and the problems and prospects for rendering Ix services in hospital/medical libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory survey was conducted using a questionnaire to collect data. Librarians were selected by a simple random sampling method from the membership list of the Iranian Medical Library Association and the Medical Library Association of India. In total, 100 questionnaires were distributed through mail and e‐mail to each of the sampling frames. A total of 71 and 84 valid responses were collected from Iran and India, respectively. Simple descriptive statistical analysis was utilized using SPSS version 15.5. A Chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare variables.
Findings
Information therapy (Ix) services are rendered in the hospital/medical libraries of Iran and India, formally and informally. There are various obstacles for librarians in rendering Ix services in both countries.
Originality/value
The study brings to light the state of information therapy services in Indian and Iranian health science libraries in supporting patient care. It reflects the librarian's role in Ix, the problems and prospects. It enables library managers and health care policy makers to make evidence‐based decisions and develop standards and programs for successful national consumer health information and information therapy services.
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Irina Ibragimova and Martina Žužak
The purpose of this paper is to map research literature on all aspects of refugee health in Europe (2015–2019): by research domain, study design, targeted population, type of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to map research literature on all aspects of refugee health in Europe (2015–2019): by research domain, study design, targeted population, type of setting, host country, journal title. This will help to identify recent research trends in the field, provide policymakers with useful source of information and help researches to target important gaps in evidence.
Design/methodology/approach
WHO (with other international agencies) has developed strategic documents and produced technical guidance, which formulate priority issues of refugee health in Europe. These documents state the need for relevant information and research data to support effective decision-making at all levels of health care systems. Although recent bibliometric analysis of global migration health research (2000–2016) concluded that 25.4% of retrieved documents were about refugees and asylum seekers, still there remain critical gaps in the knowledge base on a wide range of determinants of health service delivery and access for refugees and asylum seekers in the WHO European Region. Mapping review design was chosen as it maps and categorizes existing literature from which to commission further reviews and/or primary research by identifying gaps in research literature. Search strategy was developed and searches were executed in six databases: PubMed Medline; Scopus; ProQuest (Thesis and Dissertations); Cochrane Library; BASE; eLibrary (Russian journal articles).
Findings
Mapping review revealed that although research in some domains of refugee health was growing (mental health, infectious diseases, access to health care), there are still gaps in evidence in many important aspects: maternal and reproductive health, NCD, nutrition and economic evaluations. Most of 1,291 retrieved studies used observational or quasi-experimental design (75%), while very few were experimental studies (1.8%). Secondary research constituted a significant portion of retrieved publications: systematic reviews and meta-analysis – 8%, other reviews with systematic approach – 16%.
Originality/value
Detailed mapping of research by a combination of setting, population and research domains and comparison of results with those from previous decades and with planned trials and systematic reviews.
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The purpose of this study is to investigate how Knowledge Management (KM) and Intellectual Capital (IC) can increase the organizational performance of ambulatory healthcare…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate how Knowledge Management (KM) and Intellectual Capital (IC) can increase the organizational performance of ambulatory healthcare providers and how such performance can be assessed.
Design/methodology/approach
Following the PRISMA guidelines, a structured review of peer-reviewed English-speaking articles up to 31st December 2019 was conducted. A search of ACM Digital Library, Cochrane Library, DARE, EBSCOHost, Medline, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science produced 8,391 results. All studies that did not examine the impact of KM initiatives on organizational performance in an ambulatory healthcare provider setting were eliminated. The final sample of 31 studies was examined regarding the design of the KM initiatives as well as the performance concepts and indicators employed.
Findings
A range of KM tools and methods (Electronic Health Records, Clinical Decision Support, Health Information Technology, Training, Communities of Practice) have been shown to improve healthcare processes but evidence of an impact on outcomes remains mixed. Performance indicators focus on medical quality but rarely capture economic or social performance. Indicators have been adapted from the medical field, but do not adequately capture IC and KM-induced performance.
Originality/value
This review provides an overview of KM initiatives in ambulatory healthcare and assesses the associated performance metrics through an IC lens. Thereby, it enables further research on the interplay of IC, KM and performance in ambulatory care and points to several research gaps. It provides managers with guidance for designing KM initiatives in their organizations
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Anna Marie Johnson, Claudene Sproles and Robert Detmering
– The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.
Design/methodology/approach
Introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.
Findings
Provides information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
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