Accessing full-text items through the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub
The NHS Knowledge and Library Hub is a resource that connects healthcare staff to high quality, NHS-funded resources to provide evidence aimed at informing practice through a single point. The Knowledge and Library Hub includes access to e-journals, allowing users to obtain full-text items, either as a direct download, or through submitting a request to your local NHS library.
In order to access full-text items, go to the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub website, and click on the text on the grey bar at the top of the page to log in with your NHS OpenAthens account. This step is crucial as it allows you to access the full range of resources, including full-text articles. If you do not have an NHS OpenAthens account, you will need to register for one.
Search options
There are three available options for searching: Basic search, Advanced search, and PICOT search. In all three options, ensure you filter your results to academic journals. You can access filters by clicking the "All Filters" button on the results page.
Use the search box on the homepage of the Hub. You can enter a single term and search, but you can also enter a sentence if that proves easier for what you are looking for - when entering a sentence, switch on "natural language search". The basic search option is best for quick searches and when you are looking for general information.
Advanced search is the option that is appropriate for more precise searching.
- Specify fields: Choose specific fields to search within, such as title, abstract, and subject terms.
- Combine terms: Use OR, NOT to combine search terms and hit search.
- Limit results: Apply different limits, such as publication date, source type, and language, to narrow down your results.
This option facilitates the formulation of clinical questions by defining the individual elements of your search topic. Enter your PICOT elements into the corresponding fields and submit your request:
- P: Patient/ Problem / Population
- I: Intervention
- C: Comparison
- O: Outcome
- T: Time / Type
Getting your full-text article
When you find an article of interest, look for the 'Access options' button. This dropdown feature allows you to access either the PDF or the web-based full-text version of the article you need. Some articles will have a single "PDF Full Text" button, which will still provide you with the full-text, but only in PDF format.
To see the article in context, click ‘View Complete Issue’ under the 'Access options' dropdown. This could be useful if it is a special issue on a topic of interest.
If the full text is not immediately available, you can request a copy of an article from the library. Click on the ‘Request item’ button to open a pre-populated form. Simply enter your details, agree to the copyright declaration, and submit your request.
Page Review
Page last reviewed: 28/10/25
Next review due: 28/10/26
