Library
Recent Submissions
-
24/7 training courses for all staff and placement students – developing library courses for Moodle and YouTubeThis poster describes the development of creating 24/7 training options via eLearning courses and YouTube videos for staff and students at University Hospitals Birmingham.
-
Empowering Evidence-Based Practice: Collaborating to Create Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) GroupsThis poster describes the collaborative development and transition of Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) groups within University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Trust. Traditionally facilitated by Keele University, CAT groups empower healthcare professionals to critically evaluate research evidence for improved patient care. Recognising the value of CATs, UHB Libraries partnered with Keele to establish a sustainable, in-house program. The initial phase involved collaboration with Keele. Librarians delivered introductory sessions on evidence-based practice (EBP) and PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework. Working alongside healthcare teams, librarians assisted in formulating focused clinical questions using the PICO framework. Additionally, librarians provided guidance on completing literature search forms and conducting comprehensive searches using agreed-upon keywords and MeSH terms. The project's next step involves UHB Libraries assuming full responsibility for facilitating CAT sessions. This transition fosters cost-effectiveness for the Trust while fostering a deeper integration of library services into the EBP process. Librarians will leverage their expertise in EBP and information retrieval to guide healthcare professionals through all stages of the CAT process. This includes: Introductory Sessions: Librarians will introduce CAT methodology, highlighting its benefits for informing clinical decision-making. PICO Development: Interactive workshops will equip participants with skills to formulate well-structured clinical questions using the PICO framework. Literature Searching: Librarians will provide hands-on training on navigating relevant databases and developing efficient search strategies using pre-determined keywords. Critical Appraisal: Guidance will be offered on critically evaluating the methodological quality and clinical relevance of identified research articles. Synthesis and Implementation: Support will be provided in summarising findings, drawing conclusions, and identifying potential implications for practice. By assuming a leading role in facilitating CAT groups, UHB Libraries aim to achieve the following objectives: Empowerment: Equip healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to independently conduct CATs, fostering a culture of EBP within the Trust. Sustainability: Establish a self-sufficient CAT program within UHB, ensuring ongoing access to this valuable tool for evidence-informed practice. Cost-Effectiveness: Eliminate external facilitation costs, making CATs a more financially feasible approach for continuous improvement in patient care. Integration: Deepen the role of Library services within the Trust's EBP infrastructure, positioning librarians as key partners in knowledge translation and clinical decision-making. This collaborative initiative demonstrates the potential for library services to actively contribute to evidence-based healthcare. By empowering healthcare teams with CAT skills, UHB Libraries contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improved patient outcomes within the Trust.
-
Developing the next generation of librarians: band 4/5 librarian post at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB)The rationale behind introducing a development librarian post at UHB and the success stories resulting from it.
-
Learning from HeLM: what a project manager can achieve in 6 monthsA review of the first 6 months of the Health Libraries Midlands (HeLM) consortium project.
-
Updating the Wessex classification scheme for UK health libraries : a case study in improving inclusion and diversity in a specialist classification schemeThe Wessex Classification Scheme was created by healthcare librarians in the South West of England, and was loosely based on the US National Library of Medicine classification. The scheme is widely used in healthcare libraries across the UK, both inside and outside the NHS. Although the scheme has gone through several revisions, there has been no major update since 2015, so the Wessex Classification Scheme Oversight Group was formed in September 2022 with the support of NHS England. The group aims to bring knowledge and skills from UK health library networks to improve the scheme, and also offers a chance for participants to develop skills in working with classification and subject indexing, and the opportunity to network widely. By forming a working group, it ensures the longevity of the scheme and shares the maintenance work more widely. Initially, members were asked which parts of the scheme they felt needed updating the most and sub-groups were formed for LGBTQ+ issues and gender identity (the Pride sub-group), Ethnicity and Race, and Learning Disability and Neurodiversity (the LDN sub-group) as well as a smaller team working on ‘quick and simple’ updates. The Pride sub-group undertook a review of the terminology and classification of items relating to the LGBTQ+ community, gender identity and gender affirming care and found that there were terms within the Wessex Classification Scheme that were no longer used or could be considered offensive, derogatory, or prejudicial. As a result of the review some terms were proposed to be removed completely (e.g. ‘hermaphroditism’) and other terms to be updated (e.g. ‘gender affirming surgery’ rather than ‘transsexual surgery’) using the Homosaurus as a guide in some cases. As part of the process, it was found that certain psychiatric topics were located within the same section as topics relating to sexual orientation and gender diversity. The sub-group believed this perpetuated a stereotype by linking these topics (e.g. paedophilia and incest) and so these were suggested to move from HQ to WM in the classification system. The Pride sub-group is committed to ensuring that the terms relating to the LGBTQ+ community are relevant and inclusive. Work by the Ethnicity and Race sub-group revealed terms within the Wessex subject index that were either outdated, problematic or more appropriate to a North American context than to a UK one. In addition to terms used to describe ethnic groups, related topics such as immigration, traditional medicine, homelessness and health inequalities were also considered. Appropriate sources of information were identified, and terms discussed, before making recommendations to the oversight group. The Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity (LDN) sub-group is also looking at the language used in the subject index, and considering some broader changes to the classification schedules to bring together topics that are currently shelved in disparate areas of the classification. Some members of the LDN sub-group have lived experience of neurodiversity and are able to bring their experience to the work of the sub-group.