Research / Library Drop-in Support session

Friday 20 October any time between 12-2pm

Library, Education Centre, APH

Have you any questions about research that need answering?  If so, we are here to help.

·         Where do I start?

·         How should I undertake a literature search?

·         What is a critical appraisal and how can I access tools to assist me to be more critical? 

·         What is the difference between research, audit and service evaluation?

·         What approvals do I need?

Bespoke support and advice will be given.

If you are unable to attend on the day please email either the Library on WUTH.LKS@NHS.NET or the Research Department wih-tr.ResearchDepartment@nhs.net who will be happy to help.

Your Library Story: the winning entry

Congratulations to Graham Dawson for winning the Your Library Story competition with the below entry!

Library and Knowledge Service: From A to ZZZzzzzzzz

"An impromptu but confidential meeting in my shared office led me on the path to the Library and Knowledge Service Helpdesk. I was greeted with warmth and friendliness. The time is now to sort my niggle I thought. Unbeknown to them, over the next few minutes the Library and Knowledge Service staff would set in motion, the best year of sleep I’d had since I was a child.

My niggle you see, was the fact that I fell out of love with reading. The mobile phone had defeated the book mark. From a book a week before my teens, to whatever was necessary at University. Despite ‘resolutions’ here, impromptu book purchases there, nothing had reignited my love of reading.

“I’m after a book that isn’t too heavy, but will get me excited about reading again”, I was quickly directed to the aptly named ‘sit back and relax’ easy reading section. Despite having knowledge of the well know phrase, I started my pursuit of a good looking book cover. Less than a minute later, I was asked if I needed further help. Their help led me to completing a trilogy of crime fiction but most importantly led me to a year of good sleep. I had been reading from my mobile but the blue light that shone in my eyes into the early hours was making me immobile. I will admit I was addicted to my phone. Now with a book before bed, I will be asleep before my pillow touches my head.

I am a slow reader I will admit, so I found myself extending my loan on several occasions; this was never a problem or a chore to the team. So thank you to you, the Library and Knowledge Service team. Goodnight."

Your Library Story

It's Libraries Week and to celebrate we’re running a library competition!  Tell us your library story to be in with a chance to win our goodie bag (includes chocolate, stationery and library goodies!).

Your story can be as long or short as you like and should be about your use of the Library & Knowledge Service.  You might want to include:

• How the library has made a difference to you
• Your favourite book or resource and why
• Why you love the library
• Any feedback about the service and how we can improve it

Your Library Story can be submitted via email (wuth.lks@nhs.net), on paper or as a Tweet (use #WUTHlibrarystory and be creative with your character limit!).

Competition closes 5pm on Friday 14^th October.  The winner will be selected for its fabulousness by the trust’s FAB Ambassador, Leeanne Lockley, and the winner will be notified on Weds 18^th October.  Good luck!

Find out more at www.librariesweek.org.uk or contact Victoria Treadway, Library & Knowledge Service Lead victoria.treadway@nhs.net. 

WUTH publication: Concerns over: Efficacy and safety of 0.1% cyclosporine A cationic emulsion in the treatment of severe dry eye disease

Citation: European Journal of Ophthalmology. Sept 28 [epub]
Author: Clearkin L

Link to PubMed record

Macmillan Coffee Morning this Friday

Come and join us for a Macmillan Coffee Morning Event in the McArdle Library on 29^th September 2017 between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
Please do:

• make or bring cake to sell
• bring along any items you would like to donate for the raffle (these can be passed to Library staff as soon as you can)
• buy and eat cake
• buy and win with raffle tickets
• Celebrate with us when we announce how much we all raised for this great cause

Cancer touches so many lives and we thank you for your support.

WUTH publication: Twelve tips on how to compile a medical educator's portfolio

Citation: Medical Teacher. 2018, 40(2), 140-145. Epub 2017 Sep 17
Author: Dalton CL, Wilson A, Agius S
Abstract: Medical education is an expanding area of specialist interest for medical professionals. Whilst most doctors will be familiar with the compilation of clinical portfolios for scrutiny of their clinical practice and provision of public accountability, teaching portfolios used specifically to gather and demonstrate medical education activity remain uncommon in many non-academic settings. For aspiring and early career medical educators in particular, their value should not be underestimated. Such a medical educator's portfolio (MEP) is a unique compendium of evidence that is invaluable for appraisal, revalidation, and promotion. It can stimulate and provide direction for professional development, and is a rich source for personal reflection and learning. We recommend that all new and aspiring medical educators prepare an MEP, and suggest twelve tips on how to skillfully compile one.

Link to PubMed record

WUTH publication: Post-operative C-reactive protein profile following abdominal wall reconstruction with transversus abdominis posterior components separation

Citation: International Journal of Surgery Case Reports. 2017, 40, 17-19
Author: Pearce A, Thornton L, Sutton PA, Walsh CJ
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Abdominal wall reconstruction using posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release (AWTAR) produces a unique post-operative CRP profile, when compared to routine elective colorectal operations. Therefore, we aim to establish the normal post-operative C-reactive protein (poCRP) profile following AWRTAR and reduce the unnecessary invasive interventions in patients already at greater risk of septic complications.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of daily poCRP levels was performed both for patients who underwent uncomplicated AWRTAR (n=12), and a comparator group of uncomplicated open right hemicolectomies (RH) matched for age and sex (n=24). All operations in both groups were performed by a single surgeon from 2013 to 2015.
RESULTS: The median (IQR) age was 62 (16) and 67 (16) years respectively, with a higher proportion of males to females in both groups (10:2 vs. 17:7). The poCRP profile follows an initial steep rise, peaking at day 2 followed by a gradual washout phase. The poCRP peak is significantly greater in the AWRTAR group compared to the RH group (274 [95%CI ±25] vs. 160 [95%CI±27]; p=0.0001), with a positive correlation between day 2 CRP levels and operative length (r=0.56).
CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that uncomplicated AWRTAR provokes a significantly greater poCRP rise (>200) compared to that well described in the literature for uncomplicated open colectomy. As poCRP is an important marker of post-operative recovery with abnormally high levels associated with septic complications, these data should help clinicians interpret the post-operative clinical course after AWRTAR.
KEYWORDS: Abdominal wall reconstruction; CRP; Complications; Hernia; Post-operative; Transversus abdominis release

Link to PubMed record

WUTH publication: The BeSMART (Best Supportive Management for Adults Referred with Tonsillopharyngitis) multicentre observational stud

Citation: Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2017, 99(7), 573-578
Author: Lau AS, Mamais C, McChesney E, Upile NS, Vaughan C, Veitch J, Abbas JR, Markey A, Brown NG, Evans M, Thomas J, Gaines M, Shehata Z, Wilkie MD, Leong SC
Abstract: Introduction Tonsillopharyngitis is the most common ear, nose and throat emergency admission, with 80,000 episodes recorded in England in 2015-2016. Despite this, there is a paucity of evidence addressing the supportive management of tonsillopharyngitis in inpatients. The aim of this retrospective multicentre observational study was to consider the Best Supportive Management for Adults Referred with Tonsillopharyngitis (BeSMART) in the inpatient setting, and to establish any associations between practice and outcomes. Methods Seven hospitals in North West England and North East Scotland participated in the study. Overall, 236 adult patients admitted with tonsillopharyngitis were included. The main outcome measures were interval to return to soft diet, length of stay (LOS), pain scores and readmissions. Results Women were more likely to seek professional help before presenting to secondary care (p=0.04). Patients admitted at the weekend were more likely to have a shorter LOS (p=0.03). There was no relationship between day of admission and seniority or specialty of the doctor initially seen. Prescription of corticosteroid, analgesia and a higher initial intravenous fluid infusion rate were not related to a shorter LOS. Conclusions This study is the first to yield valuable insights into the inpatient management of tonsillopharyngitis. This work represents part of an ongoing project to establish the evidence for common medical interventions for sore throat. Patient and professional surveys as well as a prospective interventional study are planned for the future.
KEYWORDS: Analgesia; Corticosteroid; Length of stay; Tonsillitis

Link to PubMed record

WUTH publication: Gender dysphoria: referral for ear, nose, and throat or facial surgeries

Citation: BMJ. 2017 Aug 23;358:j3816
Auhtor: Hampton T, James C, O'Sullivan G

Link to PubMed record

Out of hours access to the McArdle library is back!

Due to unforeseen circumstances we require you to call in to the library between 9am-4.30pm (Mon-Fri) to have your access re-enabled. 
This process will take 5 minutes. Apologies for any inconvenience.