NEW - July 2008 !
From the end of July you will no longer be able to use the searchable databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE etc) via Dialog.
Dialog has been replaced by a new service via the National Library for Health called “Search 2.0”
You can continue to access the same databases – and get through to the content of hundreds of e-journals – and you still need an ATHENS password.
- Go to: www.eel.nhs.uk
- Click on “Core healthcare databases via NLH Search 2.0”
- Login with your NHS Athens username and password
You can then choose your database(s) and proceed with searching.
You can download the following PDF files to help migrate to the new system:
Searching healthcare databases using NHS Search 2.0 (quick guide)
NLH Resource Guide - Using Healthcare Databases (full guide)
Training
Andy Parrett
Library Skills Trainer
Whether you are hospital or community based, our Library Skills Trainer, Andy Parrett is available to help you get the most out of what is available from the library – particularly electronically. You can contact him on 01284-713343 or .
The main focus of training involves getting to grips with the searchable databases which help you to locate potentially useful journal articles. The databases are: AMED, British Nursing Index, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO and together they cover the full range of healthcare topics.
The service is completely free to all NHS-England staff (and many others, including social care and hospice staff and healthcare students): you need a password because it is on the Internet and can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection – be it at work, at home, or a beach-front café on Ibiza!
You can get your own password – called an ‘Athens’ password – at any time by going on the Internet to: www.athens.nhs.uk/region/nhseas and filling out the on-screen application form. (Do this on an NHS-net computer for an instant response.) As well as gaining access to the databases, your Athens password allows you to acquire/print out articles from over 2000 healthcare journals.
Training sessions are normally held in the Library Computer Room in the Education Centre on Thursday mornings, 10am - 12noon. Please phone the Library Counter on 01284-713112 to book a place. If Thursdays are always going to be a problem for you, get in touch with Andy and he’ll find an alternative time. This could be an on-site visit if you’re based in the community, particularly if one or two of your colleagues would also like to take part. Even if you don’t want to attend a training session, you can contact Andy for a printed guide to using healthcare databases and accessing the full-text journals.
Please note: Andy also trains regularly in Ipswich and several venues in Norfolk, and one of these may be more convenient to you.
Training can also be provided in the Cochrane Library (a similar database system, but one specialising in evidence: it can help you to locate clinical trials of all types, as well as meta-analysis articles and systematic reviews.)