Supporting research excellence: a new role for the health librarian.

Lyn Edmonds
Clinical Library Manager
Papworth Hospital NHS Trust
Papworth Everard - Cambridge CB3 8RE (UK)
Lyn.Edmonds@papworth-tr.anglox.nhs.uk

Papworth Hospital NHS Trust is a specialised cardiothoracic hospital near Cambridge, England. The Clinical Library Service provides hospital staff with a comprehensive range of library and information services in support of their Clinical practice, education and research.

The hospital's reputation for excellence in primary research, secondary research and 'getting research into practice' has provided new opportunities for the Clinical Library. The Clinical Library Service is part of the Research and Development (R&D) Directorate and the Clinical Library Manager is a key member of the R&D management team. 

The R&D Directorate has developed a specialised teaching course for any healthcare professional wishing to learn the skills necessary to undertake research. This two-day course covers literature searching, developing the idea, study design, research ethics, statistics and all other aspects of research project management. This course is followed by a series of workshops, which include 'Searching for Evidence' and 'Critical Appraisal Skills'. This teaching programme has established the Library Service as an intrinsic part of the Research process. It has enabled the Clinical Library to enhance the skills of healthcare staff who are undertaking research.

The Clinical Library Manager provides specialised support to colleagues who are R&D Officers and Statisticians. For example, this team is currently undertaking a Systematic Review and the Clinical Library Manager has the responsibility for undertaking the necessary literature search.

Many clinical staff at the hospital have a range of research interests and the Library provides a proactive service by alerting them to items in the current literature. Research information is also disseminated to all staff via an Intranet site and a quarterly newsletter. Papworth Hospital's research programme has provided the Clinical Library with an opportunity to support research excellence in addition to the provision of a modern healthcare information service.


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Course Evaluation

All delegates complete a detailed course evaluation and their responses demonstrate the high standards being achieved in both content and presentation. The course tutors consider all comments and have regular meetings to plan and revise the course programme, using any recommendations made by delegates to improve the course content. 

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Extracts from the Course Evaluations:

2. HOW WELL DID THE COURSE MEET YOUR OBJECTIVES? (n = 17)

  • Overall very practical and targeted. It was very helpful in understanding the difficulties in grant application. The presenters were exemplary.  
  • It was very well constructed and provided a good insight in research issues.  
  • Good overview of all that research involves.  
  • Provided an introduction and targeted all the relevant aspects of getting started on a research project. A comprehensive overview of all that is needed to plan and undertake research.  
  • It gave me insight into research. I go back with a clear understanding of what is involved in proper research. Also equipped me with right tools for research. 
3. THE STRUCTURE AND PRESENTATION OF THE COURSE (n =17)

a) Taking the course as a whole, which aspects did you find particularly useful?

  • Literature searching. Critical appraisal of articles. Patient information leaflets.  
  • Medline searching. Study design - both observational and RCT - and analysis and interpretation of results.  
  • Literature searches and research costs and fellowship.  
  • Literature searching, ethics and interpretation of statistical results. The session on obtaining grants and funding was very relevant. The pack was great.  
  • Literature searching. Ethics issues. Costing and funding. Outcomes measurement. 
b) Are there aspects of the course about which you have critical comments?
  • Perhaps could have altered groups for practical exercises so that individuals mixed with everyone on the course.  
  • Generally no, but would like a bit more information regarding statistics and perhaps demonstration of calculations. 
c) Are there any additions to the program you would suggest for the next run of this course?
  • Hour to write up your research - simple guidelines. 
d) In your opinion was the course:
 
 
  Yes  No Sometimes No answer
The right length 13  4     
The right level of difficulty  14 2     
The right balance between formal presentation and participative discussion  13 4    


 

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Dissemination of Research Information

The Library staff provide a proactive information service to all clinical staff at the hospital by alerting them to relevant items in the current journal literature. As part of the R&D management team the Clinical Library Manager keeps informed of research interests and receives details from the R&D planning group, which provides the strategic direction for the Trust's research programme. 

Research information is also disseminated to all staff via the Library home page on the Intranet site and via the production of a quarterly newsletter.


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