Judy F. Burnham

Scopus database: a review

The Scopus database provides access to STM journal articles and the references included in those articles, allowing the searcher to search both forward and backward in time. The database can be used for collection development as well as for research. This review provides information on the key points of the database and compares it to Web of Science. Neither database is inclusive, but complements each other. If a library can only afford one, choice must be based in institutional needs.

Web 2.0 tools in medical and nursing school curricula

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which social networking tools are being used in the curricula of medical and nursing schools. As new Internet technology tools are introduced, educators in health-related disciplines have the opportunity to incorporate these new tools into the curriculum to enhance instruction and the learning process. Wikis, blogs, and other social networking tools may all be used both to augment the educational method and to increase its efficacy. Concomitantly, the increased use of Web 2.0 tools in the curricula of medical and nursing schools creates an exciting opportunity for increased collaboration between medical librarians and faculty. First, librarians, by virtue of their related training and experience, are perfectly situated to train faculty in the use of Web 2.0 tools. In addition, librarians can help faculty incorporate this new technology into the curriculum.

Citation Analysis: Comparison of Web of Science®, Scopus™, SciFinder®, and Google Scholar

In recent years, numerous articles have compared the coverage, features, and citation analysis capabilities of Scopus™ and Google Scholar with Web of Science®, a Web-based version of Science Citation Index. This article goes a step further and compares the citation analysis potential of four databases: Web of Science, Scopus, SciFinder, and Google Scholar. Each database presents its own strengths and weaknesses, including methods of analysis, differences in coverage, and means of linking references. As an illustration, Web of Science provides coverage back to 1900. In contrast, Scopus only has completed citation information from 1996 onward, yet Scopus provides better coverage of clinical medicine and nursing than Web of Science. SciFinder has the strongest coverage of chemistry and the natural sciences, while Google Scholar has the capability to link citation information to individual references. Although Scopus and Web of Science provide comprehensive citation reports, all databases miss linking to some references included in other databases.

Comparison of CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases for the nurse researcher.

The purpose of this research was to determine which of three databases, CINAHL, EMBASE or MEDLINE, should be accessed when researching nursing topics. The three databases were searched for citations on topics selected by three nurse researchers and the results were compared. For the search of nursing care literature on a medical condition, it was helpful to search both CINAHL and MEDLINE. CINAHL provided the majority of relevant articles for the second search, on computers and privacy, but inclusion of MEDLINE and EMBASE enhanced retrieval somewhat. The search on substance abuse in pregnancy, not restricted to nursing literature, retrieved better results when searching both MEDLINE and EMBASE. Due to the nature and distribution of the nursing literature, it is especially important for the searcher to understand and respond to the focus of the researcher.

Mapping the core journals of the physical therapy literature

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to identify (1) core journals in the literature of physical therapy, (2) currency of references cited in that literature, and (3) online databases providing the highest coverage rate of core journals. METHOD Data for each cited reference in each article of four source journals for three years were recorded, including type of literature, year of publication, and journal title. The journal titles were ranked in descending order according to the frequency of citations and divided into three zones using Bradfords Law of Scattering. Four databases were analyzed for coverage rates of articles published in the Zone 1 and Zone 2 journals in 2007. RESULTS Journal articles were the most frequently cited type of literature, with sixteen journals supplying one-third of the cited journal references. Physical Therapy was the most commonly cited title. There were more cited articles published from 2000 to 2007 than in any previous full decade. Of the databases analyzed, CINAHL provided the highest coverage rate for Zone 1 2007 publications. CONCLUSIONS Results were similar to a previous study, except for changes in the order of Zone 1 journals. Results can help physical therapists and librarians determine important journals in this discipline.

Access Is Key: Teaching Students and Physical Therapists to Access Evidence, Expert Opinion, and Patient Values for Evidence-Based Practice

Background and Purpose. Access to literature that supports evidence‐based practice (EBP), including identification and retrieval, is essential to implementation of EBP in physical therapy. This article will discuss the importance of teaching access to EBP resources, discuss resources to identify and retrieve evidence‐based literature, and outline strategies for teaching access of EBP literature in physical therapy education. With the rapid growth in physical therapy articles, access to the literature is essential, including a significant role for electronic access. Methods and Materials. A review of the physical therapy and rehabilitation literature was completed with an informal listserv survey to characterize common methods and strategies used to teach access to the EBP information in physical therapy education programs. Summary of the Literature. The importance of teaching access to EBP information is discussed. A variety of sources that can be used to identify applicable articles are summarized. Options for retrieval of those articles including specific search strategies are discussed as well as barriers to access. Specific strategies and instructional activities for teaching access to EBP information and teaching resources are described. Discussion and Conclusion. Tremendous potential exists for improved patient care as students and physical therapists are instructed in EBP. Access to evidence‐based literature is a foundational prerequisite for application of EBP and will result in optimal clinical outcomes.

Determining where physical therapists get information to support clinical practice decisions.

OBJECTIVE To determine the information sources utilised by physical therapists (PTs) to support clinical decisions. METHODS Physical therapists in the United States were invited via professional listservs and electronic newsletters to participate in an online survey. RESULTS Journal articles were the most frequently utilised source of information, followed by databases (PubMed was most frequent). The frequency of utilising evidence-based resources was not significantly affected by the number of years of experience as a physical therapist (PT), working in a state that allows direct access to PT services or doctoral vs masters/bachelors degree. CONCLUSIONS Compared with a previous study (1994), there has been a transition in physical therapy information seeking, with greater reliance on evidence-based information.

Delivering Distance Training to Rural Health Care Professionals

Abstract This article reports on a project that delivers distance training to rural health care professionals. Traveling to provide training on information-seeking skills to rural health professionals is time consuming and costly. In addition to face-to-face training, the University of South Alabama Biomedical Librarys SAMNet project seeks to deliver multimedia training to rural health care professionals. The project uses information technology to package training courses combining PowerPoint slides and video instructions. This article describes the rationale, training module design and development, and the information technology and software used in the project. Multimedia packaged distance training courses provide a practical alternative to on-site training for rural health care professionals. It enables librarians to provide training without traveling long distance, thus saving time and money. Additionally, rural health care professionals may access the modules at a time convenient to them and proceed at a pace suitable to their learning style.

The Medical Matters Wiki: Building a Library Web Site 2.0

Abstract New and innovative information technologies drive the ever-evolving library profession. From clay tablet to parchment scroll to manufactured paper to computer screen pixel, information storage, retrieval, and delivery methods continue to evolve, and each advance irrevocably affects the way libraries, and librarians, work. The Internet has forever altered information and library science, both in theory and practice, but even within this context the progression continues. Though ambiguously defined, Web 2.0 offers a new outlook and new software, presenting librarians with potentially invaluable new tools and methods. This paper discusses the creation, implementation, and maintenance of a Web 2.0 technology, the wiki, as a resource tool for an academic bio-medical library.

The librarian's role in an enrichment program for high school students interested in the health professions.

Librarians from the University of South Alabama Biomedical Library partnered to participate in a program that targets minority students interested in health care with instruction in information literacy. Librarians participate in the summer enrichment programs designed to encourage minority students to enter health care professions by enhancing their preparation. The curriculum developed by the Biomedical Library librarians is focused on developing information searching skills. Students indicated that the library segment helped them in their library research efforts and helped them make more effective use of available resources. Librarians involved report a sense of self-satisfaction as the program allows them to contribute to promoting greater diversity in health care professions. Participating in the summer enrichment program has been beneficial to the students and librarians.