Journal of EAHIL

Editorial

Maria-Inti Metzendorf — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 11:32:48 +0000

Supporting systematic, scoping and other types of reviews: Workshops and services offered by the Medical Library at Charité

Corinna Dressler, Meghan R Forrest — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 11:01:38 +0000

Medical Libraries have become central in evidence synthesis conduct – an evolving field. The Medical Library at Charité initiated Systematic/Scoping Reviews, an eight-part workshop series designed to provide comprehensive education and guidance on systematic and scoping review methods. Each session covers a specific step of the review process and offers participants who are conducting a review active engagement in these methodological steps using their own review question. This article provides a summary of each workshop session, outlining preparation requirements, workshop content, and challenges faced by both learners and the teaching team. The course has been well received by participants and has proven to be a valuable complement to the other health information literacy trainings offered by the Medical Library.

High precision but variable recall – comparing the performance of five deduplication tools

Heidrun Janka, Maria-Inti Metzendorf — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 11:04:11 +0000

Deduplication methods for multiple database searches conducted for evidence syntheses differ in terms of time invested, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of identified duplicates. Deduplication tools can significantly contribute to a more efficient conduct of the search task in evidence syntheses. Widely-used tools for deduplication include reference management software (e.g. EndNote), built-in deduplication features in systematic review software (e.g. Covidence, Rayyan), and automated deduplication tools (e.g. Deduklick, SRA Deduplicator). Newer tools leverage machine learning algorithms crafted by information specialists, that encompass natural language normalization and rule-based approaches. We investigated five frequently used automated and semi-automated deduplication tools regarding their performance, core features and time efficiency in comparison to manual deduplication in EndNote using six datasets.

Brief Communication – concerning algorithmic indexing in MEDLINE

Alexandre Amar-Zifkin, Taline Ekmekjian, Virginie Paquet, Tara Landry — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 11:06:35 +0000

As of early 2022, indexing in the National Library of Medicine [NLM] MEDLINE database is performed by an algorithm, MTIA [Medical Text Indexer-Auto], with human curation as appropriate. Deployment of a machine learning classifier, MTIX [Medical Text Indexer-neXt generation] is planned for mid-2024. This brief communication outlines the processes of MTIA and raises concerns about the MeSH [Medical Subject Headings] applied by algorithm. Implications for searchers and educators are briefly discussed.

An Overview of Information Instruction in Hospital Libraries in Spain

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 11:08:21 +0000

Introduction: Information instruction is essential to providing support for clinical care, teaching and research in hospitals. In the international literature, little has been published about this function of hospital libraries in Spain. This study examines the education activities of Spanish hospitals.

Methods: A questionnaire about staff, education activities and institutional recognition was distributed via email to Spanish hospital libraries. The data was analysed in February 2023.

Results: 84% of libraries provide education activities. The average number education staff is 1.3. Common instruction topics are database searching, citations, researcher identity and scientific journals (quality, impact and publication standards). 83% of libraries are part of the undergraduate medical curriculum, 67% are involved in graduate medical education, and 30% are part of the institutional research plan.

Letter from the President

Lotta Haglund — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:53:26 +0000

EAHIL President and Board elections 2024

Maurella Della Seta — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:58:41 +0000

EAHIL Mentoring program started in the beginning November 2023

Tiina Marketta Heino, Aoife Lawton, Alicia Fatima Gómez — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:22:50 +0000

Update from the National Library of Medicine

Dianne Babski — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 11:15:16 +0000

Publications and new products

Annarita Barbaro — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 11:19:02 +0000

Publications and new products

In memory of Elisabeth Husem, President of EAHIL 1994-1998 (12 October 1940 - 25 January 2024)

Meile Kretaviciene — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 11:23:59 +0000