Library Information Skills Webinars

The library service is responsible for supporting all staff and students in accessing information to support evidence based medicine, education and learning.

For example, we can help you…

Online information skills webinars: develop your professional skills!

These short online courses are being offered by the Knowledge, Information and Library Service. Both BSMHFT staff and students on placement are very welcome to join these.
Please email our Librarian Anita Phul to book on.

Find evidence fast!
30 mins
This short webinar shows you two resources that you can search very quickly to find research evidence: the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub and BMJ Best Practice. Learn how to make the most of these two resources when you need to do a quick, easy search to inform your clinical practice or to get an overview of a topic. This course also covers how to obtain full text journal articles when you only have a reference.

Searching healthcare databases
1 hr, 30 mins
Learn how to focus a clinical question and how to find relevant papers on the healthcare databases, according to what you are searching for. The main demonstration search in this session will be done on the PsycINFO database, with advice on how you can apply the concepts to other healthcare databases. Practical searching tips will be offered, as well as knowledge about various database tools and features. At the end there will be a bit of time for you to start thinking about how to structure your own literature search questions.

Finding information for coursework and assignments
1 hr, 30 mins

Learn how to focus a literature search question and how to find relevant papers on the healthcare databases, according to what you are searching for. The main demonstration search in this session will be done on the CINAHL database, with advice on how you can apply the concepts to other healthcare databases. Practical searching tips will be offered, as well as knowledge about various database tools and features. There will be a brief section about reference management software in this session. At the end there will be a bit of time for you to start thinking about how to structure your own literature search questions.

Communicate health information clearly: health literacy awareness
1 hr, 30 mins
Communication about health information to service users is crucial to good quality care, but research shows that messages are not always interpreted the way healthcare service workers intended! Gain a better awareness about the pitfalls of communication in a busy healthcare environment and acquire some tips and techniques to help you to communicate more clearly and check for understanding.

Making sense of journal articles: an introduction to critical appraisal
1 hr, 30 mins
This basic introduction provides an overview about key factors to think about when assessing the quality and relevance of research in journal articles. This will help you to decide whether the evidence contained in a research article is trustworthy and applicable to your work. There is also a section on how to interpret commonly occurring statistics, with a “cheat sheet” available for easy reference. This course is suitable for colleagues who are new to the topic of critical appraisal, or for those who would like a foundation level refresher.

Creating easy-read documents for service users and carers
30 mins
Documents that are packed full of long paragraphs of words are not always very easy to read or understand. Learn how to use the “Communicate in Print Widget Software” to create leaflets, posters or prompt sheets that include pictures and symbols, to make your documents easier to read. This session will demonstrate the software and provide examples of easy-read materials that other colleagues have produced. (After the session, the software can be reserved, accessed and used on a hot desk at the Barberry Library).

For further information or to discuss training tailored specifically for you, please contact Barberry Library or telephone 0121 301 2059