I'm interested in the discussion that has been developing about the questions GPs have and how help can be given in answering literature orientated questions.
I work in a primary care resource and development centre and we have been providing a knowledge service on a pilot basis. We have a librarian based in the centre and we are finding an increasing demand for help with, and access to, database (Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Best Evidence) and Internet searching.
The problem is that having found citations to relevant papers we can't quickly get access to a photocopy of the article, despite links to the local University and to the Medical Library in secondary care. The hospital library say they don't have enough staff to photocopy articles for us and that GPs etc should go in and photocopy for themselves. Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to park at the library and the whole thing is too time consuming and inconvenient for this to be a realistic option. We're reluctant to use our librarian for this task as during the pilot they have very limited time and we would prefer to have them here and available to take enquiries. The University also say people should go into the library themselves, or we can pay L4 per article for a British Library inter-library loan (we think this is too costly except for the very short term). We have no room here to keep a stock of journals (even if we had the resources to buy one!).
Anybody else encountered this problem? Any suggestions for solutions? I'll summarise responses and post to the list.
Thanks
Tony
PS It's interesting to see this morning's discussion of the changing attitudes of medical students, SHO's etc. I am working with this year's intake of GP Registrars and they're a bright and lively bunch who've had practically no exposure to EBP previously but immediately saw the benefits and relevance. There is some scepticism about the feasibility of EBP in General Practice - could they be picking this up from their senior colleagues in practice?
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AP Roberts
Clinical Effectiveness Advisor
Teesside Primary Care Resource and Development Centre and
Research Fellow
The University of Durham
Tel: 01642 304190 (office)
Fax: 01642 304189
Tel: 01642 304188 (direct)
Mobile: 0403 358616
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