Finding health resources

There’s a huge variety of health-related resources out there for you to use. We’ve highlighted some of the key ones on this page, and explained how you might use them to enhance your work.

Your online subject guide contains a collection of key resources that are targeted to your particular branch of health science. Links to the databases and websites mentioned below can be found on these guides.

Journal articles

Journal articles can provide you with important research, opinion, case studies and evidence. Search by keywords or subject headings, and combine two or more of these to create a focused list of results. You can also search by article title/author if you have a specific article in mind.

You can start your search from the library home page, or go directly to an advanced search tool. These search across some (but not all) library databases. A keyword search here will help you scope out how much research you're likely to find on a topic.

There are also a number of health databases listed on your subject guide (go to the 'finding information' tab, and click 'databases and websites'). Databases hold collections of published materials such as journals, systematic reviews and ebooks. Health-related databases you may come across regularly are:

• CINAHL
• Medline
• AMED
• PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO
• And many more!

You will learn over time how to make the most of these to enhance your assignments, but if you need help at any time feel free to pop into the library, or chat online with us.

You'll also find some really useful video guides on how to build searches within databases such as CINAHL on your subject guide. 

Systematic reviews

Systematic reviews analyse and compare evidence from healthcare studies and controlled trials, to evaluate their effectiveness and summarise the research.

You will find key databases relating to systematic reviews on your subject guide (under 'finding information' and 'databases and websites'), but names to look out for are:

• Cochrane
• Campbell Collaboration

We can help you search these databases effectively - just get in touch!

Clinical evidence and trials

Randomised controlled trials are the most reliable method of testing medical interventions. You will find best practice guidelines online, to help you make evidence-based decisions.

Head over to your subject guide (under 'finding information' and 'databases and websites') for links to databases such as:

• NHS Evidence
• Cochrane
• EU Clinical Trials Register

If you'd like advice on searching these or have any other questions, please get in touch.

Policy, legislation and law

Official policy and legislation will help you help work within legal guidelines and understand the context of current working practices.

You'll find links to key policy websites for your area of health on your subject guide (under 'finding information' and 'databases and websites'), for example:

• Childlink
• NHS England
• Every Child Matters
• Francis Report

If you're stuck in finding the policy or guidelines that you need, get in touch with us and we'll help you find them.

Statistics

Use statistics to illustrate the size and scale of elements which you discuss in your work. Official statistics are produced by independent bodies that report to the government.

Most of these are freely available online, but we've collected together the ones you're most likely to need on your subject guide (under 'finding information' and 'databases and websites'). These include:

• Public Health England
• Office for National Statistics

Please ask us for help if you need it!