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Harlow Healthcare Library

Library and Information Skills Training

Information skills or information literacy as it is sometimes called means having the ability to "know when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.” (CILIP, 2004)
Information, in every form, from patient's notes to current research is vital for those of us practising evidence based health care. Harlow Healthcare Library can help you with these skills and the training we provide:

  • Group training and workshops
  • Critical Appraisal
  • Reflective Writing
  • Tailored courses
  • 1 to 1 training on evidence searches and using databases.
  • Supporting CPD and Revalidation.

Please contact us for details or see below for booking information.

Workshops

Finding the Evidence

This workshop aims to enable participants to develop focused search strategies, to search the NHS healthcare databases for relevant evidence, and research confidently and efficiently.

  • Thursday 27th March 2025, 14:00 - 16:00

These sessions are delivered via MS Teams by Library staff from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. 

 Reflective Writing

This workshop uses theory, models and practical examples to explore how to write reflective pieces for your re-validation, appraisals, portfolios and CPD.

These sessions are delivered via MS Teams by Becca Parrott, Knowledge and Library Services Lead at Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust

 Critically Appraising: a Randomised Controlled Trial

This workshop will acquaint participants with the statistics and terminology used in a Randomised Controlled Trial. There will be the opportunity to appraise a paper and also see it in the context of a systematic review.

These sessions are delivered via MS Teams by Library staff from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Introduction to Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Research

This workshop will guide participants through the appraisal process of a qualitative research paper and explain the principles involved, including how it differs from appraising quantitative studies. Participants will learn about what critical appraisal is and applying it to qualitative studies. The use of tools and checklists when critically appraising, will also be covered.

These sessions are delivered via MS Teams by Library staff from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Introduction to Statistics

This will cover the basic concept of statistics and introduces the commonly used statistical tests in relation to healthcare. The application of the statistical tests will be illustrated by examples. 

These sessions are delivered via MS Teams by Dr Jufen Zhang - Associate Professor and medical statistician at Anglia Ruskin University

Introduction to Harvard Referencing

An introduction to why and how we reference other people's work. Learn how to write in-text citations and how to format reference list entries for common types of sources in Harvard style (cite them right).

These sessions are delivered via MS Teams by Matthew Holland from Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust. 

Clear Communication: Empowering patients in healthcare (Health Literacy)

This workshop investigates why the impact of low health literacy and why how we communicate to our patients is so important. How do we make health information accessible and understandable for all? We look at the causes and impacts of low health literacy with reference to local areas. It will provide space for discussion as well as useful tips and communication methods.

These sessions are delivered via MS Teams by Library staff from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

Database Search Training

Finding the Evidence (Database Search Training)

Finding the Evidence is usually a 1to1 session, with a librarian guiding you through a search on a subject of your choice. It can also be delivered to specific staff groups/teams/departments and can be embedded in your department training programme or booked as a stand-alone course, perhaps as part of a departmental training day.

Aim-To enable participants to search NHS databases for relevant evidence and research confidently and efficiently.

Learning Outcomes

  • That participants can develop a search strategy for their topic of interest
  • That participants can use the PICO framework to formulate clinical questions and key concepts/words
  • That participants are able to search using both keywords and subject headings
  • That participants understand how to use Boolean operators/ combining words to construct searches.
  • That participants are capable of refining a search using limits or broadening a search
  • That participants know they can transfer and use the searching skills learnt in other information resources.

If you would like to book a 1to1 session with a librarian or would like to know more about group workshops please contact paht.Lib.Desk@nhs.net