Job-shadowing Swiss health librarians observing experienced search specialists and information skills trainers in London

As librarians of the Social & Preventive Medicine Library in Bern, we help researchers perform systematic literature searches and teach students to use medical databases. We developed our skills mainly “on the job”, and we wondered how other health librarians in Europe were trained to become experts in searching. We had a great opportunity to “job shadow” specialists in this area of library service during a 5-day-internship at the Royal Free Hospital Medical Library in London, Great Britain

Major malformations risk following early pregnancy exposure to metformin: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Metformin is considered as first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes and an effective treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, evidence regarding its safety in pregnancy is limited. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of major congenital malformations (MCMs) risk after first-trimester exposure to metformin in women with PCOS and pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies with a control group investigating risk of MCM after first-trimester pregnancy exposure to metformin were searched until December 2021. ORs and 95% CIs were calculated separately according to indications and study type using Mantel-Haenszel method; outcome data were combined using random-effects model. Eleven studies (two RCTs; nine observational cohorts) met the inclusion criteria: four included pregnant women with PCOS, four included those with PGDM and three evaluated both indications separately and were considered in both indication groups. In PCOS group, there were two RCTs (57 exposed, 52 control infants) and five observational studies (472 exposed, 1892 control infants); point estimates for MCM rates in RCTs and observational studies were OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.09 to 9.21) (I2=0%; Q test=0.31; p value=0.58) and OR 1.35 (95% CI 0.37 to 4.90) (I2=65%; Q test=9.43; p value=0.05), respectively. In PGDM group, all seven studies were observational (1122 exposed, 1851 control infants); the point estimate for MCM rates was OR 1.05 (95% CI 0.50 to 2.18) (I2=59%; Q test=16.34; p value=0.01). Metformin use in first-trimester pregnancy in women with PCOS or PGDM do not meaningfully increase the MCM risk overall. However, further studies are needed to characterize residual safety concerns

COVID-19 in Healthcare Workers: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes.

Health care workers (HCW) are at the frontline response to the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), being at a higher risk of acquiring the disease, and subsequently, exposing patients and colleagues. Searches in eight bibliographic databases were performed to systematically review the evidence on the prevalence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among HCW. Ninety-seven studies (All published in 2020), including 230,398 HCW, met the inclusion criteria. From the screened HCW using RT-PCR and the presence of antibodies, the estimated prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 11% (95%CI; 7%-15%) and 7% (95% CI; 4%-11%), respectively. The most frequently affected personnel were the nurses (48%. 95%CI; 41%-56%), while most of the COVID-19 positive medical personnel were working in hospitalization/non-emergency wards during the screening (43%, 95%CI;28%-59%). Anosmia, fever and myalgia were identified as the only symptoms associated with HCW SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Among RT-PCR positive HCW, 40% (95%CI;17%-65%) did not show symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Finally, 5% (95%CI;3%-8%) of the COVID-19 positive HCW developed severe clinical complications, and 0.5% (95% CI; 0.02%-1.3%) died. HCW suffer a significant burden from COVID-19, with HCW working in hospitalization/non-emergency wards and nurses being the most infected personnel