TRIPping through the evidence

TRIP (Turning Research Into Practice) is a free database that allows 'health professionals to easily find the highest-quality material available on the web - to help support evidence based practice'.

In addition to searching UK (NLH Guidelines) and international guidelines resources, clinical question and answering services (Primary Care Query Answering Service), patient information and image resources, TRIP currently searches 52 evidence-based synopses and critical appraisal resources including BestBETs, Bandolier and the Evidence Based Journals from the BMJ.

TRIP has a simple search facility (see below) and categorises the results making identification of different types of information (guidelines, patient information leaflets, evidence based synopses, etc) easy!

As an added bonus TRIP Evidence Reviews offer 'evidence blasts' allowing clinicians a quick and easy way of seeing the best new research published in the last 2-3 years.

A few words of caution...TRIP is very useful at quickly identifying useful resources but should not be substituted for a search of the healthcare databases (Medline, Cochrane, etc) if you undertaking a literature review. Bear in mind also that TRIP searches both UK and international resources, this is particularly important to consider when looking for guidelines or patient information.

Prefer to search PubMed? You can still link to access NHS Core Content Journals

If you prefer to use PubMed when searching rather than Medline via Dialog DataStar and the National Library for Health you can still link into the full text journals made available by the National Core Content.

When you search PubMed you will see a results tab for 'NHS England Full Text'. If you click on this you can then view all the records which you can then access with your NHS Athens.

Click here to search PubMed and link into NHS Core Content full text.

However, this does not include links to full text which have been bought locally and are available via Aintree LIRC. In addition to the National Core Content journals Aintree LIRC have purchased ejournals specifically for our Trust staff. Click here to see if you can access your ejournal full text via Aintree LIRC. If it does not appear in the A-Z list then check the library catalogue as we may hold the journal in print on the shelves.

What's the fuss with Athens?

What is Athens?
An Athens account is a username and password that will allow you remote access to selected electronic resources. In other words, you can access selected databases and other electronic resources from your workplace or home computer. NHS Athens will allow you to access all the resources in the National Core Content, including the healthcare databases (Medline, Cinahl, etc), electronic journals, e-books, the British National Formulary and more.

I already have an Athens account, can I use this?
You may already have a Athens account from an academic institution, or other NHS library which will allow you to access the resources that institution or library has bought specifically for its users. You can register for a NHS Athens account via the LIRC webpages, providing you are employed by University Hospital Aintree, Walton Centre or Sefton PCT. This will then allow you to access both national resources and in addition, journals and e-books bought specifically for our Trust staff. For other Trust staff you will need to contact your local library or Athens administrator

I've forgotten my username/password, what should I do?
If you are University Hospital Aintree, Walton Centre or Sefton PCT staff you can call the LIRC helpdesk on 0151 529 5851 and we will let you know your details. If you are not a member of any of the Trusts above you will need to find the contact details of your local Athens administrator

My Athens won't let me access the resources, what is wrong?
Either your Athens account has expired, in which case ring the LIRC Helpdesk on 0151 529 5851 and they will renew your account (provided you are still working at the above Trusts), you are entering your account details in the wrong place (for EBSCO journals you need to look for the blue Athens login and click on this to enter your details), or you are trying to access a resource which you are not entitled to access with your Athens.

Can I change my password?
Yes, If you don't like the password you've been given, visit the MyAthens pages, login, and then follow the link to 'change password'. Your password must be over six characters long, and must be a mix of letters and numbers.

Further assistance with Athens
For UHA, Sefton PCT and Walton Centre Trust staff, further assistance on Athens can be obtained by calling the LIRC Helpdesk on 0151 529 5851.