Providing comprehensive information and searches with limited resources

Abstract

Sharing information and databases with medical/health organisations has resulted in one small information unit being able to provide a more comprehensive service than would otherwise have been possible. The Qualitative Service in Aberdeen, part of the Information Services Team at Grampian Health Board, performs literature searches using a wide range of databases, thus responding to the increasing demand on the information profession, brought about by the evolution of evidence-based medicine. This paper is intended to show how this service has attempted to meet the demand for more information while working with limited resources. It also reiterates the benefits of using the less well-known sources, in addition to those already established as the key sources, such as Medline and Embase.