Module 3 - CINAHL vs Endnote

Personally - I like CINAHL best.  Since I have to use remote access I tap into the Eccles Library through VPN.  This allows me to access whatever Eccles has subscribed to.  Using CINAHL allows me to change search terms easily.  This means that when I begin a search and get a few hundred results then I can narrow that search by not only changing the terms, or adding terms but also by using the advanced search parameters.  I usually click on peer review, English, and link to full text.  Using these usually limits the results down to a manageable number.  I also like the fact that I can export to Endnote and if it can't find the full text I can download the text from CINAHL to my desktop and move it into my Endnote file.

I have tried using Endnote for searches and have not been as successful.  First I found it harder to limit the search - maybe because I'm less familiar with the program.  But the one thing that I struggle with is the limited number of full text that Endnote seems to find. I like reading the full text and when appropriate using quotes from articles so I like having the full text available.

It is amazing to me how much things have changed.  When I first started doing research papers - 30 years ago I spent hours in the library reading through journals. Then I'd have to make copies of the article and be sure that I had enough information for the citation. Sometimes I'd find a reference to an article that was 'just what I wanted' only to find that the library didn't subscribe to that journal.  This can still happen but it is much less frequent and the time I spend researching is significantly decreased.  Also the ease with which we can cite while we write using Endnote is wonderful, not to mention the replacing of the typewriter with the word processor - you of the younger generation just don't know the advantages you have.  I have an old electric typewriter if anyone wants to try out the 'good old days'.

module 2 - evaluating an electronic information system

We just did this!  At my workplace we use electronic charting exclusively.  However we (the nurses) have found several "holes" in the information requested.  So we began by making a list of what we'd like to see added to our system.  They were just little things like reporting abdominal pain as a reason for having an EGD (esophageal-gastro-duodenal) endoscopy exam.  There were other choices like anemia, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia... but not pain which is a fairly common reason. (We had to type this into the notes section.)   So we made our wish list which included about 25 items.  At our staff meeting the other day we were told that those items would be added along with a better design of our medication reconciliation screen (a much needed change).  The cost would be about $5,000 and it would take 90 days.  Wow, was I surprised.  Not only did the cost surprise me but the time frame needed.  I must admit I've never done any computer programing.  Now I have a bit more respect for the guys who do this.  It must take more than I imagined.

Technology is amazing

As I was reading the assigned reading I was really surprised at how much is involved in controlling, creating, and regulating the internet.  I guess I hadn't really thought about it prior to this class.  It's just been there, available to use and I suppose abuse to a certain extent.  For example; how many of you have seen the movie Eagle Eye?  When I read the text I kept thinking about this movie and how this wonderful technology was used to track individuals' movements.  It made me a little nervous.

On the other hand I realized that the potential for good is terrific.  For example in disease management; the ability to check on or have patients check in on a regular basis, to offer tutorials for newly diagnosed patients, updated information for established patients, educational sites, and ability to follow up on care without having to actually see the patient - just to name a few.

We've come a long way from when I was young - I still remember black and white TV and when our phones were party lines - okay I just showed my age.