Clinical librarian Urogynaecology

This case study is part of Health Librarians Add Value, a campaign run jointly by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and CILIPS. It has been provided by Susan Cuthbertson, Library Manager (East) at NHS Ayrshire and Arran. Read other case studies here.

Outline of the work

In my capacity as Clinical Librarian for the Urogynaecology team, I provide information to assist the team with patient care and decision making. I attend the Urogynaecology MDT providing specific information for patient care decisions, current information for guidelines, and general subject-specific current awareness. I have also contributed information to base the service decision making on mesh implants and via the medical staff feed into the national guideline.

At the moment I am also supporting and contributing to the Laparoscopic Urogynaecology study group which is looking at introducing new treatment options. This includes providing evidence-based evaluation of different treatment options as well as team enquiries.

The team is multidisciplinary covering medical, nursing, and AHP staff covering different sites in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Impact

Service user Dr Inna Sokolova MSc MRCOG, Consultant Gynaecologist at University Hospital Crosshouse, highlights how important the work of the Clinical Librarian is:

You are an integral part of our Continence MDT group and Laparoscopic Urogynaecology stugy group; and you are always generous with your help with literature searches etc. required

Reflecting on this work, Susan Cuthbertson said:

I really feel part of the team and enjoy the direct input to patient care as well as providing for the diverse information needs of the team. I have acquired in depth understanding of the clinical area that I did not start out with and that now gives me a good basis for providing useful area specific information for the team.