Library resources
Library resources for Health Sciences
Health Sciences resources in the Library
The University Library provides a wide range of print and online resources to support teaching, learning and research in Health Sciences. Use the YorSearch Catalogue to find out what is held in the Library and to link to online resources.
The main collections of printed books are held in the JB Morrell Library. Section Y on the first floor contains the main sequence of medicine and nursing books. Other useful sections include DA (social policy, health policy, and nursing ethics) and B (psychology and some aspects of mental health). Click here for more information on the subject arrangement in the Library. You can find out more about borrowing items from the collections by clicking here.
Accessing electronic journals
The majority of the journals provided by the Library are available online. Use Find e-Journal to link directly to electronic journals. In addition, both YorSearch and Classic Catalogue provide Find it links to electronic journals. Electronic journals may be used on and off-campus. You can find out more about using electronic journals in the Workbooks tab at the top of this page.
Searching for articles on a topic
The Library provides a range of resources that are designed to help you identify articles and books on a topic or by a known author. These resources are provided via the Library's MetaLib Gateway. The Health Sciences and Nursing section of the MetaLib gateway provides access to important resources such as CINAHL, Medline and The Cochrane Library. You can find out more about searching databases in the Workbooks tab at the top of this page.
Library services for Health Sciences students on placement
Additional information on library services for Health Sciences students on placement or working at a distance from the University is available at our Health Sciences students on placement page.
Accessing resources not available via the Library
During your research you may need to access a resource that is not available via the Library. When this happens there are several options available to you:
- Request a copy through the Interlending Service. Please note that charges apply to this service.
- Access it at another library:
- The British Library Document Supply Centre at Boston Spa is a local resource that holds over 8.5 million books and serials. The Library provides a free mini-bus service to Boston Spa.
- Sign up to SCONUL Access. This will allow you access to a large number of university libraries around the UK.
- If you are entitled to use NHS resources, check availability at your local NHS library or via NHS Evidence.
- Suggest that the Library purchases a copy. You can do this by contacting one of your Health Sciences librarians (see the Your Librarians tab at the top of this page). Items will be considered for purchase based on their cost and the benefit that they would bring to the Library collection.
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Subject Arrangement
The following is a summary of the main subject divisions relevant to Health Sciences as arranged in the Library. It is not a comprehensive list of all subjects covered.
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Your Librarians
Health Sciences Library team
Janette Colclough
Academic Liaison Librarian for the Department of Health Sciences based in the University Library.
Email: janette.colclough@york.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1904 32 3892
Karen Smith
Academic Liaison Librarian for the Department of Health Sciences based in the Department.
Email: karen.smith@york.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1904 32 1354
Kirsty Whitehead
Academic Liaison Assistant for the Department of Health Sciences.
Email: kirsty.whitehead@york.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1904 32 3861
We can help you learn to:
- Search effectively in your subject area
- Access resources in your subject area
- Use print and electronic resources
- Find out about Library services
Please let us know:
- How you would like the Library services to be improved
- If you would like us to run information skills teaching sessions
- If you have any suggestions for additions to the Library collection
Please contact us if you would like to discuss any of the above.
Workbooks
Workbooks for Health Sciences
| Title | Using Electronic Resources: CINAHL (PDF  , 973kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | An introduction to using CINAHL via Ebsco. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough Karen M Smith |
Updated | October 2011 |
| Title | Using Electronic Resources: Electronic Journals and Books (PDF , 779kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | An introduction to using the University Library's electronic journal and book collection. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough Karen M Smith |
Updated | November 2011 |
| Title | Using Electronic Resources: Evidence-Based Nursing Online (PDF , 656kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | An introduction to searching Evidence-Based Nursing Online. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough Susan Clayton |
Updated | October 2011 |
| Title | Using Electronic Resources: Key Web Resources and Website Evaluation (PDF , 737kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | An introduction to using the Library's Health Sciences subject pages to access Department of Health, NHS Evidence and other key websites. Also covers website evaluation and Google Scholar. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough Karen M Smith |
Updated | October 2011 |
| Title | Using Electronic Resources: Medline (PDF , 863kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | An introduction to using Medline via OvidSP. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough Karen M Smith |
Updated | January 2012 |
| Title | Using Electronic Resources: PsycINFO (PDF , 688kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | An introduction to using PsycINFO via OvidSP. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough Karen M Smith |
Updated | October 2011 |
| Title | Using Electronic Resources: The Cochrane Library (PDF , 833kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | A basic introduction to The Cochrane Library. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough Karen M Smith |
Updated | October 2011 |
| Title | Using Electronic Resources: Web of Science (PDF , 759kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | An introduction to using the Science and Social Sciences Citation Indexes on Web of Science. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough | Updated | October 2011 |
| Title | Using the Library Catalogue (PDF , 1,584kb) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Introduction to the Library Catalogue via YorSearch and Classic Catalogue, including searching for books and journals, and access to My Library Account. | ||
| Author | Janette Colclough | Updated | November 2011 |
Useful links
Useful links for Health Sciences
Key web resources
- Department of Health (UK) - Provides access a wide range of information about the work of the Department, including health and social care policy, guidance and publications.
- NHS Evidence - The NHS digital library and main access point to electronic resources for NHS staff. Some resources require a NHS Athens username.
Databases and datasets
- Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) - Produced by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Also available within The Cochrane Library.
- Health Technology Assessment Database - Contains abstracts produced by INAHTA (International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment) and other healthcare technology agencies.
- LILACS - Indexes Latin American and Caribbean health sciences literature.
- Medline via PubMed - See PubMed below.
- Medline Journal Browser - Web access to Medline journal abbreviations.
- MedlinePlus - Health information for both professionals and consumers, including health topics, drug information and dictionaries.
- Meta-Register of Controlled Trials - A database of ongoing and completed controlled trials made available via the Current Controlled Trials site.
- National Research Register - An archive of research projects funded by the NHS (2000 to September 2007). See also UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio Database.
- Netting the Evidence - Google Search Engine developed by ScHARR dedicated to the methodology of evidence-based practice.
- NHS Economic Evaluation Database - Produced by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.
- NLM Gateway - Allows users to search multiple databases at the US National Library of Medicine, including LOCATORplus (the NLM's catalogue).
- PROSPERO - An international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews in health and social care.
- PubMed - Free service from the National Library of Medicine (NLM). PubMed searches Medline (12 million citations from the mid-1960's onwards), OLDMEDLINE (citations from 1953-1965), In Process Citations (do not yet have MeSH index terms) and publisher supplied citations.
- SUMSearch - Combines meta-searching and contingency searching in order to automate searching for medical evidence.
- TOXNET - A cluster of databases on toxicology and related areas.
- TRIP Database - Meta-search engine of evidence-based material.
- UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio Database - Database of trials and other well designed studies which meet eligibility criteria for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
- WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform - Includes an International Search Portal.
- BUBL: Medicine and Nursing - Links with descriptions maintained by the BUBL Information Service.
- Intute: Medicine - Searchable catalogue of high quality Internet resources in health and medicine.
- Intute: Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health - The UK gateway to high quality Internet resources in nursing, midwifery and allied health.
Department of Health and related NHS sites
- Care Quality Commission - Independent regulator of health and social care in England.
- Department for Education - Includes information relating to services for children and young people.
- Department of Health (UK) - Provides access a wide range of information about the work of the Department, including health and social care policy, guidance and publications.
- Department of Health: A-Z - Index to health and social care topics.
- Department of Health: News - Useful for the latest information.
- Department of Health: Publications - Provides the full text of publications where available and a Publications Library.
- Department of Health: Statistics - Access to a range of statistical sources and surveys.
- Health Protection Agency - The national organisation for England and Wales dedicated to protecting people's health and reducing the impact of infectious diseases.
- Health Select Committee - Reports, publications, and press releases of the Committee from Session 1997-98 onwards.
- National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) - Responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.
- National Institute for Health Research - Established by the Department of Health to support NHS research.
- The National Mental Health Development Unit - responsible for supporting the implementation of positive change in mental health and mental health services.
- NHS Choices - Designed to help users of the NHS. Also links to NHS Wales, Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW)) and Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services.
- NHS Confederation - Contains information on the Confederation including membership details, publications, press releases and conferences.
- NHS Direct - Gateway to good quality information for patients and the public.
- NHS Evidence - The NHS digital library and main access point to electronic resources for NHS staff. Some resources require a NHS Athens username.
- NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme - Information about the NHS HTA Programme including details of on-going projects and lists of topics under consideration.
- NHS North Yorkshire and York - The local Primary Care Trust.
- NHS Yorkshire and Humber - The local Strategic Health Authority.
Societies and other organisations
- British Medical Association
- King's Fund
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Royal College of Midwives
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal College of Nursing Research and Development Co-ordinating Centre
- Royal College of Physicians (London)
- Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh) - Includes the James Lind Library of fair tests of treatments in health care.
- Royal Society of Medicine
- The Wellcome Trust - Includes the Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine.
- World Health Organization
General services
- Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine - Aims to promote evidence-based health care and provide support and resources.
- Centre for Evidence-Based Mental Health
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination - The CRD, based at the University of York, was established to provide information on the effectiveness of treatments and the delivery and organisation of health care. Access is available to the CRD databases.
- Cochrane Collaboration - the Cochrane Collaboration facilitates the creation, review, maintenance and dissemination of systematic overviews of the effects of health care.
- Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) - Includes tools developed to help with the process of critically appraising articles.
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities - Aims to provide the most comprehensive website on learning disabilities/difficulties in the UK.
- Health Economics - From the University of York Library's Economics information sources web page.
- Health Scotland - Includes general information and resources to support health improvement practitioners.
- Institute of Healthcare Management - Provides a range of information for health service managers.
- Mental Health Foundation - UK charity working in mental health and learning disabilities.
- MIDIRS - Midwifery information and resource service.
- National Institutes of Health (US) - Includes access to full-text of Consensus Development Statements and Technology Assessment Statements.
- National Library of Medicine (US)
- NLM HSTAT: Health Services/Technology Assessment Text - A free resource of full-text documents that support health care decision making.
- RDInfo - A digest of health-related research and training opportunities.
- Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
- Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) - Develops and disseminates evidence-based clinical guidelines for the NHS in Scotland.
- Women's Health - From the University of York Library's Women's studies information sources web page.
Teaching and learning
- Higher Education Academy - The Subject Centres for Health Sciences and Practice and Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine form part of a UK-wide initiative supported by the four Higher Education Funding Councils and aim to enhance the student learning experience.
