Different types of knowledge resources in the “grey literature” - policies and strategies, reports, data (qualitative and quantitative), project details, etc - tend to be distributed across different organisations. The All-Ireland electronic Health Library (AIeHL) makes it easier for people to bring together these knowledge resources in an appropriate format.
AIeHL is an all-Ireland network of interoperable websites that contain knowledge resources that are relevant to health and well-being. Current members are:
Click here to Search the AIeHL or visit any of its member websites.
The AIeHL allows you to simultaneously search over 5,300 resources that are currently held by its members as well as associated collections of other relevant resources.You can use keywords or terms taken from structured thesauri (the Public Health Language (PHL) which was recently mapped to SNOMED CT). The relevant knowledge resources of different types are presented separately together with further details of their subject, creator, etc. If you wish to view a resource you are directed to relevant member website.
For users, the AIeHL provides a single search engine that allows them to simultaneously search the whole library (see Figure of new frontage). Because agreed metadata standards and well established controlled thesauri are used to tag resources, the search engine can be both sensitive and specific; returning all the relevant resources and only those that are required.
The AIeHL approach offers member websites a vehicle for more widely disseminating the knowledge resources they manage while retaining “ownership” and “control” over them. All members of the AIeHL benefit equally from being involved; addressing a major barrier to sharing information. In the longer term, the AIeHL provides an opportunity to members to jointly develop a rational approach to the management and dissemination of the knowledge resources on their websites. With wider adaptation of metadata standards and structured thesauri, the AIeHL will enable greater sharing of information to support better decision-making in health.
Footnote: The AIeHL is managed, on behalf of its members, by Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Population Health Observatory (INIsPHO) within the Institute of Public Healthin Ireland (IPH)
Add AIeHL to your desktop for quick and easy access to the database
Click on the following link: http://www.aiehl.org and then click Download the AIeHL Installer on the top right side of the webpage. This simply installs an AIeHL icon onto your desktop and into your "quick links" area.
You may require permission from your local IT department to download this tool.
The AIeHL installer software can be fully removed from the your PC by going into the "add/remove programs"option in the "control panel".
For queries about the AIeHL, contact Louise Bradley
Last updated on: 16 / 06 / 2009