Posts are written by library staff and reflect their personal opinions not necessarily those of MSK.
Aimed at health professionals and researchers, the Epistemonikos database is a collaborative and multi-language resource for health evidence. It provides users with access to systematic reviews and other evidence.
Link to Epistemonikos from the MSK Library’s Databases A-Z list and if you have any questions about this resource, please don’t hesitate to ASK US.
This month I asked three questions to Robin O’Hanlon, Associate Librarian for User Services.
What areas can you help MSK users with?
I can help MSK users who want to know more about how the library can help them with conducting research and supporting patient care. It’s my job to assess and promote current library services and try identify new technologies, resources, and services to best support the research, clinical, and education needs of the MSK community. I also have the privilege of overseeing the library’s Research Informationists and Document Delivery team, who are on the frontlines assisting users with their information needs.
What projects have you been working on recently?
I just started at MSK in August, so I have been learning as much as I can about the needs of our user community while getting to know the MSK Library staff. I have started looking at a new metrics system to better track interactions with our users. I’m also beginning to think more about ways we can promote library services through outreach to MSK departments who might not be as familiar with what we have to offer as some of our regular users.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would travel to Uruguay for its rich history and culture. I also love cows and they outnumber people there 4-1.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last week compared minimally invasive and open surgeries for early stage cervical cancer. This prospective randomized trial of 631 participants at 33 medical centers found that patients who had open surgery had higher disease-free survival rates (96.5% at 4.5 years) than those who had minimally invasive surgery (86% at 4.5 years). In reporting the study, the New York Times spoke to numerous gynecologic oncologists, many of whom had heard about the results prior to publication and had already begun changing their approaches to cervical cancer treatment. MSK’s Dr. Ginger Gardner said that the hospital is reviewing its surgical results and making case-by-case surgical decisions in consultation with patients.