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Evidence Based Resources
National electronic Library for Health (NeLH) http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/
The National electronic Library for Health Programme is working with NHS Libraries to develop a digital library for NHS staff, patients and the public. NeLH provides a wealth of information to help inform the clinical governance agenda. It provides many useful links to information on the following:
- Guidelines e.g. UK/International guidelines, guideline appraisal & development
- Protocols and Care Pathway s e.g. database of NHS pathways, guidance for developing pathways
- Organisations e.g. National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), the Cochrane Collaboration
- Summaries of research evidence e.g. Clinical Evidence, the Cochrane Library
It is an essential resource for anyone working in health care.
Searching for Evidence to Support Clinical Decision Making
Suggested hierarchy of places to search, when time is limited, to answer questions relating mainly to therapeutic interventions (use only one or two key terms to search):
Clinical Evidence http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/clinical_evidence.asp
Clinical Evidence is a six monthly, updated compendium of evidence on the effects of clinical interventions. It summarises the current state of knowledge, ignorance, and uncertainty about the prevention and treatment of clinical conditions, based on thorough searches and appraisal of the literature. It describes the best available evidence, and where there is no good evidence, it says so. It includes sections on Child Health, Pregnancy and Childbirth to name but a few.
The Cochrane Library http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/cochrane.asp
The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases including full text Cochrane systematic reviews, Database of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), Controlled Clinical Trials Register. Freely accessible via NHSNet, NHS Athens password required if using from home.
SUMSearch http://SUMSearch.uthscsa.edu/
SUMSearch is a new method of searching the Internet for evidence based medical information. Querying a number of key databases, such as MEDLINE, and the Database of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE). SUMSearch aims to select the most appropriate source, format the search query, modify this query if too few or too many hits are found, and return a single document to the clinician.