MBChB Phase 1 SSC Critical Analysis - Library Practical (2015)

Firstly, we hope that you enjoyed the library practical session, here's a reminder of what we looked at in the session.

Connecting to the Drug Adverts

We started the session by navigating to the adverts that have been chosen for this module. In order to do this you will need to log into MUSE and select StarPlus - The Library Catalogue from the 'My Services' menu. 

MUSE - My Services - StarPlus - MyResource Lists - MED111

Once you are on the StarPlus landing page, go to the box at the bottom of the page called 'Reading Lists' and follow the link for 'MyResource Lists'. In the 'Search Reading Lists' box type 'MED111' and follow the results for 'MED111 - Critical Analysis - Drug Advertisments.' 

The resource list contains lists for each advert containing the advert itself and the references for each advert. Once you have chosen the advert, click the 'View web link' option to view it as a PDF.

Looking at the references in the drug advertisement

Most of the adverts have some references which support the claims made within the advert, we've added these to the reading list for you, on the list for the advert you should also see links to resources referenced.

Remember, some adverts have only have one or two references whilst others have a lot more.

A few of the adverts have a reference which is unavailable, as we have already attempted to obtain the reference for you but found it unavailable you will not be expected to  read this reference.

Planning your search

Identify the concepts to search for within the advert. Look for:

• The condition (or outcome)
• The drug name (generic not brand)

You may also need to look for the way the drug is delivered, this may be the unique selling point.

Searching for background information - using the British National Formulary (BNF)

The BNF provides health care professionals with up to date information, indications, contraindications, side effects, dosage and price for a wide range of drugs. This can be accessed electronically, or in paper format at the RHH at shelfmark QV738.

Find the BNF and the Medicines Compendium in Useful Resources.

In the session we navigated to the BNF from the resource list, but you can also access it via StarPlus - search for "British National Formulary" in the University collections tab.

We searched for the generic drug name, not the brand name.

Medicines Compendium also provides up to date Summary of Product Characteristics (SPCs) and Patient Information Leaflets for different medicines, use the brand name in this website. Again you can access this from the resource list in the 'recommended reading' section.

- using StarPlus

A good place to look for information on the condition your drug is trying to treat is the Library catalogue StarPlus. Search for a general textbook to give you a broad overview. If the item you want is out on loan, place a request! 

Searching for medical research - using databases

MEDLINE via OvidSP and the Cochrane Library are useful databases to look at.

MEDLINE via OvidSP is the main databases for finding medical research. Search for both your generic drug name and the condition in the basic search box and then use the additional limits to focus your search on high quality evidence such as randomised controlled trials and systematic review.

The Cochrane Library is a small medical database, but particularly useful when looking for systematic reviews (Cochrane Reviews).

The videos below give a quick demonstration of how to search for systematic reviews in the Cochrane Library, as well as randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews in MEDLINE via Ovid.

Further Resources

The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP), is a useful resource when looking at appraising research carried out on your subject, it has lots of useful tools and checklists to assist you.

Health Talk provides an insight into the real life experiences of patients, this may be something to take into account when looking at the adverts. When using sources of information that use the patient perspective, look for 'The Information Standard' mark, this mark means the website has been assessed to check the information produced.

Information regarding Athens accounts can be found here.

Further Support

If you need more information, contact Anthea or Cat from your Liaison Team for Medicine, Dentistry and Health.

New e-resource: Open Book Publishers

We've joined the Open Book Publishers' Library Membership Scheme.  Open Book Publishers publish peer-reviewed open access monographs in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

This scheme offers staff and students full access to various formatted digital edition.  You can access this resource from here.

You can also access this resource from StarPlus and individual titles are also searchable in StarPlus as part of the Directory of Open Access Books collection.

MBChB Phase 1 SSC Critical Analysis Library Practical

Firstly, we hope that you enjoyed the library practical sessions last Tuesday and Wednesday.  Here's a reminder of what we went through in the sessions.

The Library Practical

Finding the adverts

Find the adverts from MUSE - My services - StarPlus-
MyResource Lists - Seatrch 'Me

We started the session by navigating to the adverts that have been chosen for this module.  In order to do this, you will need to log into MUSE and select StarPlus - The Library Catalogue from the 'My services' menu.

Once you are on the StarPlus landing page, go to the box at the bottom of the page called 'Reading Lists' and follow the link for 'MyResource Lists'.  In the 'Search Reading Lists' box type MED111, follow the search result for 'MED111 - Critical Analysis - Drug Advertisements'

Once you have found your advert from the list, click on the 'View web link' icon, your selected advert will open in PDF format.

Looking at the references in the drug adverts.

Most of the adverts have some references included which aim to support the claims made within the advert.

History of Medicine

Hello to all our first year UGs in The Medical School.  You will now be well underway with your 'History of Medicine' assignment, so here's a little reminder of what we went through in your Library induction session:

The Video

StarPlus - The Library Catalogue

StarPlus is the library catalogue, it gives you a single starting point to find information.  To access StarPlus, sign into MUSE using your university username and password and then look for StarPlus - Library Catalogue under 'My Services'.  Remember to sign into StarPlus by clicking 'University Members' on the landing page.

Use the 'University Collections' tab to search for books, ebooks and journals.  A good medical textbook will be a great place to start your research.

Use the 'Articles and more' tab to complete a basic search of journal articles in your subject area. They provide a more detailed view of your subject area and are the best source of academic research.

If you need further assistance using StarPlus, take a look at our Information Skills Resource - Using StarPlus

The Databases

You can also use specialist databases to find information on your subject area.  MEDLINE via OvidSP  is the major international medical database. Take a look at the video above to see a screencast of how to search it for material relating to the history of medicine. Or take a look at our online tutorial .

The Websites

You can always find lots of information online.  In our video we looked at the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the Thackray Medical Museum, and The Wellcome Trust, but you will need to check the quality of the websites that you are using.  If you are unsure how to evaluate information, take a look at our tutorial.

Remember...Think Critically!

If you need more information, contact your Liaison Team for Medicine, Dentistry & Health.

No More Fines.

We've changed the way you borrow items! 

As long as no one has requested the item you have borrowed, we will keep renewing them until the expiry date of your account.

If we are unable to renew any of your items, we will send an email to let you know that you need to return the item.  Further to this, we will also send you a weekly borrowing statement to remind you of which items you have out on loans, and let you know which items you need to return.

If you want an item that is out on loan to another borrower, the best way to get hold of the item is to request it via StarPlus- the library catalogue.

What happens if you do not return an item?

We are attempting to get rid of fines! We know you don't like them, so for this academic year we are trialling a new system; if you do not return an item that is requested by another borrower, you will not be able to borrow any further items from the University Library until the requested item is returned, we will still continue to renew the other items already on your account.

You can avoid your account being blocked by returning your items when they are requested, and by checking your library account on StarPlus, and by checking your weekly statement.

If this works then we will get rid of fines in the University Library, but we need you to make this work!  If someone requests an item that you have borrowed, bring it back to the library so that they can use the item that they need!

Remember, we will renew items on your account automatically if they are not requested by another borrower.  If they are requested, we'll give you a couple of days to bring them back.  

What do you think?

We would like to know what your opinion is, please do take the time to tell us what you think.  We have a quick feedback form for you to fill in, we will also be using #nofinesUofS on twitter.

This is your chance to get rid of fines in the University Library!

History of Medicine

Hello again to all the first year UGs in the Medical School I saw yesterday. Here's the video we've produced to help you with your first assignment on the history of medicine.

                     

If you'd like anymore advice about researching your chosen topic call into the Library's drop-in clinic; Tuesdays 12-2pm at the Health Sciences Library, Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Upgrades to the Library System in June

The Library will be upgrading many of its back-office systems between 14th and 21st June.  Whilst we aim to keep disruption to a minimum during this transition period, certain Library services will be affected.  We aim to have services in operation by Friday 21 June.

We'll be posting regular updates on the library system transition webpages, on this blog, and via our Twitter feed. 

From Friday 14th June, certain features of StarPlus will be temporarily unavailable:

• Online Renewals:  If you wish to renew books during the transition period, please email us at library@sheffield.ac.uk, call the Library Helpdesk 0114 222-7200, or visit an information desk at any library site.  
• Requests: It will not be possible to place requests via StarPlus but if you wish to request a book please go to any of the Library desks and fill in a reservation card. We will make your request as soon as the new systems are in place.
• myResource lists service will continue to be available, however links to StarPlus may be affected. 

The processing of interlibrary requests will be delayed during the transition period, but we will process all requests as soon as possible. If you have any interlibrary loan items on loan to you and you are likely to be away from The University please return these before you leave.

StarPlus Upgrade - Thursday 7th March

Work to integrate account information and renewals and reservations into StarPlus will take place on Thursday 7th March starting at 10.30am. This may last for several hours and there will be some disruption to the service.

It is recommended that you save your eShelf contents to Endnote or another reference service as a precaution. Alternatively you may choose to e-mail your eShelf contents to yourself. 

Every effort will be made to ensure that disruption to services is kept to a minimum.

New resources in the RHH & NGH

We have added some new items to the Library’s collection.  Click on the cover and go straight to the Library record in StarPlus.

Beauchamp, T. L - Principles of biomedical ethics - 7th ed. - New York: Oxford University Press, 2013

Collier, J. A. B. - Oxford handbook of clinical specialties - Oxford: oxford University Press

Lockhart, P.B (ed.) - Oral medicine and medically complex patients - 6th ed. - Ames, Iowa: Wiley Blackwell, 2013





For a full list of new books, ordered by site, visit the library catalogue.

How to find 'Find it'

Hi, you may have noticed that we've recently made some changes to the links you see from the Library tab in  MUSE. In particular we've removed the link to 'Find it', our e-journals database. But don't panic! You can still access all the Library's e-journals only now we recommend that you use our new Library catalogue StarPlus. 

From StarPlus you can search for and access all our Library content (both print and electronic) so it's no longer necessary to have separate links for e-journals and ebooks. So to search for books, journal titles and databases simply use the 'University Collections'  tab on the StarPlus homepage. 

However 'find it' is still available if you want to use it  - for example it can be useful for browsing a list of journals by subject. To find it simply go the StarPlus homepage and there will be a link at the top of the page 'Findit@sheffield ejournals A-Z'.

For any queries or problems just contact the Library helpdesk. 

email: library@sheffield.ac.uk

Tel: (0114) 222 7200

NEW Library catalogue!

Have a look at our new Library Catalogue, StarPlus.
You can search for books and other items in our libraries, as well as electronic and digital material, all from one place.
Log in using your University login and password for direct access to full text where it is available and other features such as saved searches.

Use the ‘University Collections’ tab for electronic and print books, journals, maps, theses, databases and more.
Use the ‘Articles and more’ tab for journal articles from multiple databases using the Quick Set for your department.
For full database functionality such as personalisation, use the native search interface.

So check it out and tell us what you think. We’d love your feedback to help us develop the service so please email lib-primo@lists.shef.ac.uk with your comments. And don’t worry, Star won’t be going anywhere just yet.