Presented at LILAC 2018

1. Basic database search
training for NHS library
assistants
Katie Barnard
Clinical Librarian, North Bristol NHS Trust
Jessica Pawley
Librarian, Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust

4. HDAS queries from
library users
2017 National Training Needs Analysis:
Library assistants ranked healthcare database
searching as their top training need
Career aspirations
Regional approach (South of England) led by...
Katie Barnard
Clinical Librarian
North Bristol NHS Trust
Jessica Pawley
Librarian
Taunton and Somerset
NHS Foundation Trust

5. Paper outline
 Our approach to addressing this training need
 Use of webinar (WebEx)
 Training evaluation
 Future directions

6. Our aim
Target audience: library assistants based in South of
England region
Library assistant learning aim: Know how to carry out a
simple search using the NICE Healthcare Databases
Advanced Search (HDAS) platform
Wider strategic aim: support the information literacy
needs of NHS staff

7. Training medium: WebEx
 WebEx = Video conferencing software that allows
screen sharing, chat, and large numbers of attendees
 Health Education England (HEE) South WebEx account
 Free (to us)
 No travel time or expenses
 Good functionality

8. WebEx (Cisco). Image from TechnologyAdvice.com. Source: https://technologyadvice.com/blog/information-technology/skype-alternatives/

9. Session content
 The coverage of the different databases
 The main HDAS search functions
 How to construct a simple search strategy
 Where to go for further guidance
Q: Library staff use
of social media

10. Evaluation
1. Initial feedback
• Questionnaire – 1 week after training session
• Library Assistants Away Day (South of England)
2. Longer term impact
• Questionnaire – 3 months after training session

11. Level 4:
Results
Level 3: Behaviour
Level 2: learning
Level 1: Reaction
Kirkpatrick training evaluation model
1) Participants find the
training engaging and
relevant to their jobs
2) Participants
acquire the intended
knowledge and skills
3) Participants apply what
they learned when they
are back on the job
4) Targeted outcomes
occur as a result of
the training
Kirkpatrick Partners. 2017. New World Kirkpatrick Model. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.kirkpatrickpartners.com/Our-Philosophy/The-New-World-Kirkpatrick-Model

12. Initial feedback
“It was useful as a first dip into the world of HDAS”
“The overall ‘tour’ of the interface [was useful]”
“Found it useful as an all-round introduction to HDAS”
7%
13%
21%
6%
53%
67%
57%
47%
60%
47%
20%
22%
40%
40%
Overall rating for the training session
The use of WebEx to deliver the training
The level of audience participation
The pace of the session
The content of the session
Data from 15 questionnaire responses

13. What was most useful?
1) The coverage of the different databases
“Explanation of the different databases”
“The advice that searching each database
separately can be more effective”
2) How to construct a simple
search strategy
“Step by step sample search”
“Construction [of] a search strategy”
3) The main HDAS search functions
“The section on adding limits to a search strategy”
“Learning about setting up alerts from the searches”
Data from 15 questionnaire responses
4) Where to go for
further guidance
“video for help”

14. Self-assessed learning
Data from 15 questionnaire responses
Before After
Content of the databases Basic (53%) Good (53%)
Using HDAS functions Basic (60%) Good (53%)
Constructing a simple search
strategy
Basic (47%) Good (53%)
Knowledge of additional HDAS
support resources
Basic (73%) Good (67%)

15. How was
WebEx?

16.  Screen sharing
 Easy communication
 Large groups
 Technical issues
 Limited interaction
 More suited to demos

17. 3 months later
Library assistants using their HDAS training...
...if no librarians are around
"Batgirl vs. Robin (258/365)" by JD Hancock, used under CC BY 2.0

20. Katie Barnard
@katiebarnard23
Katie.Barnard@nbt.nhs.uk
Any questions?