One-to-one
Individual appointments can be made with the CIS for training in accessing the healthcare literature using the NHS databases. If you have a topic in mind and want to know where to start looking for information from the healthcare databases and beyond, the CIS can show you the information resources available and help save you time by showing you how to structure your search to locate clinically relevant information.

Workshops
What are the workshops?
A series of FREE research skills workshops have been developed to support NHS staff who are undertaking research, guidelines development, writing for publication/presentation, journal clubs, or who just simply want to know how to find relevant journal articles to support their working practice. All workshops support the NHS Knowledge Skills Framework (KSF), Evidence Based Practice and CPD.

All workshops provided worked examples and hands-on practice and are delivered by the Clinical Information Specialist.

Certificates of Attendance will be provided

Who can attend?
All NHS staff employed by University Hospital Aintree, the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Sefton PCT staff can attend.

Where are the workshops held?
All workshops are held in the IT Suite in the Library located on the first floor of the Clinical Sciences Centre at University Hospital Aintree

How do I book a place?
To book a place, or for further information contact the Clinical Information Specialist on 0151 529 6418 or email madenm@edgehill.ac.uk

Workshop outlines
The following provides an overview of the training sessions available. For more information on the sessions you can download the training booklet below. New dates will be advertised here.

• Training Booklet 2011 [PDF]

Introduction to Interpreting Statistics for Critical Appraisal
To provide a comprehensive introductory overview of basic statistics and how to interpret statistics for critical appraisal. (NB - this is not a session on how to calculate statistics or interpret statistical tests such as Mann-Whitney, Kappa, etc).

Introduction to Systematic Reviews/Meta-analysis Critical Appraisal Workshop
Learn about systematic review sources, how to interpret forest plots and how to appraise a Systematic Review/Meta-analysis using a practical example and checklists.

Introduction to Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) Critical Appraisal Workshop
Introduction to RCT sources and how to evaluate an RCT research article using a practical example and checklists.

Introduction to Qualitative Critical Appraisal
Introduction to the appraisal of qualitative research using a worked example

Literature Searching
For those who require assistance in literature searching the Clinical Information Specialist also provides one-to-one tailored training on searching the healthcare databases (Medline, Cinahl, Embase, The Cochrane Library, etc.) and other resources including NHS Evidence. Training guides for searching these resources are also available online from our Resource Guide webpage.

Locating Fulltext Journal Articles
If you need assistance locating fulltext journal articles any of our library staff will be happy to assist please ask at the Library desk for more information. A guide to accessing fulltext journal articles is also available from our Resource Guide webpage

Library Inductions and Refreshers
Library Inductions and Refreshers are available on request, please contact the Library desk for more information.

What is the literature searching service?
Designed to save you time locating journal articles and other resources on a topic of your choice. You can request a literature search to support research, audit, patient care, service delivery, report writing, presentations, publication and journal clubs. The Clinical Information Specialist will search healthcare databases and other relevant resources. Results are presented as a bibliography of citations, abstracts with links to full-text articles where accessible. Full details of the search strategy are also provided.

Who is this service available to?
Literature Searches are free and available to all staff who are currently employed by:

• University Hospital Aintree
• The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Sefton PCT (Sefton PCT staff can also access the literature search service at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Libraries)

If you are not employed by the above please contact your local healthcare library. You can locate your library by searching the Health Library & Information Service Directory.

If you require a literature search to support your academic study, this service is not available to you as many of our associate colleges and universities require you to develop your own databases searching skills, as part of the agreement of the academic programme you are on. However, the Clinical Information Specialist offers a mediated search service where you can book an appointment and be guided through the search process.

For more information and to book a mediated search session, contact Michelle Maden on madenm@edgehill.ac.uk or tel: 0151 529 6418

How do I request a literature search?
Contact Michelle Maden on madenm@edgehill.ac.uk or tel: 0151 529 6418. Alternatively download, complete and return the literature search request form to Michelle Maden, Clinical Information Specialist, Aintree Library and Information Resource Centre, Clinical Sciences Centre, University Hospital Aintree, Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL.

Click here for the Literature Request Form

What information do I need to provide?
Details of your topic, keywords to search on, language/date restrictions, age limits if appropriate. The Clinical Information Specialist may contact you directly to clarify/refine your search query.

How soon will I receive my results
The Clinical Information Specialist will endeavour to return your results as quickly as possible depending on workload.