Which Database Do I Want?
Don't worry - there are some great easy to use places to get you started!
NICE Guidelines
Search NICE Guidance and Technology reviews
BMJ Best Practice and UpToDate
These both provide summaries of the latest evidence on a wide variety of topics. While they are generally aimed at Junior Doctors, all clinical staff will find the information useful. The patient information sheets are great for students and healthcare assistants who want information without the jargon.
Don't forget - the library staff can provide advice and training on everything mentioned here.
MPFT Library Catalogue
Search books available from our Stafford and Redwoods Libraries, as well as our eBooks. You can login using your Trust login details to renew your library books or to suggest new books for the library
eBook Library
This is our main website for eBooks, which can be read online or downloaded using an app. It also features a number of eBooks that are available for short term loan (some may need approval by library staff, but some are available instantly.) Overall about 5000 eBooks are available on this site using your Trust login
NHS Library and Knowledge Hub
This searches all of our journals as well as our books in one place. This is an easy to use platform that is great for beginners, and works best when searching for very specific keywords or phrases. For advanced searching use the medical databases mentioned below.
BMJ Best Practice and UpToDate can be a good starting point for answering clinical questions, but if you're looking for journal articles try
Medline
Good starting point for a medical and nursing topics. Also good second choice for some mental health, physical healthcare or AHP topics.
Embase
One of the best sources for physical healthcare and also useful for mental health. Large (but not complete) overlap with Medline - often worth searching both
If the Royal Marsden Manual doesn't answer your question, or if you're looking for journal articles try
CINAHL
Usually the best database for a nursing or AHP-related search topic (except in mental health – then use PsycInfo). Uses a lot of US terminology.
EMCARE
Good for nursing and allied health. Worth using as well as CINAHL for nursing topics.
PsycINFO
Usually the best starting point for a mental health search. It's also very good for some AHP areas such as speech and language therapy, even for less obviously mental health related topics.