Try the New Version of Ovid, OvidSP

Select “Try OVIDSP!” on the “Choose a database” page
OvidSP is available NOW! OvidSP is a search engine of choice for Medline, HealthStar, Global Health, and the evidence based medicine databases. A new feature is that you may select and search groups of databases in one search.

What makes it different and why all of the hype in the library? The new OVIDSP delivers an interface that transforms the way you work. Geared to all user types—from the novice to the advanced searcher—it allows you to use Natural Language like “what are the risk factors for hospital acquired infections” OR use the traditional OVID search methods by building MeSH terms and subheadings. All in all, OVID SP is an intuitive search interface with better user workflow tools that allows for a more powerful, simplified, and faster search experience.

If you prefer, the Old OVID searching is still available by selecting “OVID Syntax”

Don’t worry, all OVID accounts, searches, and alerts will still be available through OVIDSP.

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the Library’s Reference Department at 504-988-5155 or medref@tulane.edu .

By the way, the old OVID Gateway will be terminated in February 2008.

James Doty, Rudolph Matas Library Benefactor

Dr. James Doty was profiled in a Wall Street Journal. (Friday, July 6, 2007), Giving Till it Hurts. Dr. Doty has donated $29 million to charity, which is about 99% of his net worth. In addition to his donations outlined in the Wall Street Journal article he has made recent donations to Tulane, a portion of which is dedicated to the renovation of the Rudolph Matas Library.


Dr. Doty, a neurosurgeon in Mississippi, is a graduate of Tulane School of Medicine and fondly recalls his historic research done in the Matas Library with the assistance of Patsy Copeland, who retired in 2003.

National Medical Librarians Month (NMLM)

In October the National Library of Medicine celebrates National Medical Librarians Month 2007.

The Medical Library Association created the NMLM observance to raise awareness of the important role of the health information professional. Patients and those in the health care community need the specialized services that medical librarians provide now more than ever before.

Turn to your Medical Librarian for quality health information.

Ask a Librarian, medref@tulane.edu

NPR report on PEW study: E-patients With a Disability or Chronic Disease

E-patients With a Disability or Chronic Disease / Susannah Fox, Associate Director, View PDF of Report

Just half of adults with chronic conditions use the Internet; but once online, they are avid consumers of health information. Monday, October 8, 2007

NPR correspondent Joseph Shapiro reported on the recent Pew Report (Morning Edition, October 11, 2007) Patients Turn to the Internet for Health Information.

In addition to the PEW report concerning the medical searching behavior of people with disabilities and chronic conditions, another recent experiment involved the online research behavior of cancer patients. One group had print materials, one group was directed to good medical information on the Internet and the third group had undirected access to the Internet. Not everyone did well finding reliable medical information online, but in conclusion, the health professional vetted medical systems, such as those recommended by the Medical Library Association continued to be utilized by patients, and helped them become better informed. These users are likely more willing to ask their physicians questions and take more responsibility in the medical decision making process.

There are many informative medical information sites. A good entry point to advise medical consumers to utilize are the sites recommended and evaluated by the Medical Library Association.

• A User's Guide to Finding and Evaluating Health Information on the Web
• "Top Ten" Most Useful Consumer Health Web Sites

Check out the Medical Consumer Recommendations of your Medical Librarians.

Medical Education in Post-Katrina New Orleans

COMMENTARY - Medical Education in Post-Katrina New Orleans: A Story of Survival and Renewal / N. Kevin Krane, MD, Richard P. DiCarlo, MD, Marc J. Kahn, MD

JAMA. 2007 Sep 5;298(9):1052-5.

THE MOST COSTLY NATIONAL DISASTER IN US HISTORY occurred on August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, and the ensuing breaches in the New Orleans levee system resulted in flooding of approximately 80% of the city. The survival of Tulane University School of Medicine and Louisiana State University School of Medicine at New Orleans (LSU), both located in downtown New Orleans, was severely jeopardized as every major educational and teaching facility flooded following the storm, closing both undergraduate and graduate medical training programs. However, both schools quickly moved their educational programs to new locations and reestablished training for students and residents 1 month later. Tulane and LSU have now returned their educational programs to New Orleans despite faculty losses, closure of some traditional training hospitals, and a diminished population of greater New Orleans. The ability of both schools to survive and thrive has significant long-term implications for the delivery of health care in the region and the ability to train future physicians for the state of Louisiana.

Read more: JAMA Online version available to Tulane users