E-books

As a member or postgraduate affiliate of the Royal College of Surgeons of England or the Faculty of Dental Surgery, you are entitled to access our collection of e-books.

You will need a College login account in order to access these e-books. Login at the College website before visiting the e-book website, then look for an institutional login link: depending on the site, you will then need to either click on an OpenAthens link or select the College from a list of institutions.

Need help accessing e-books?

Searching for e-books

Use the Surgical Library to search or browse our online and print books. Use the e-books tab and search for “title:book title” to find a specific e-book.

ClinicalKey

Many of our e-books are hosted by Elsevier ClinicalKey, which also includes a variety of e-journals, medical images and other resources. You can reach individual books via the means above, or use the search facility at ClinicalKey directly. Find out more about ClinicalKey or get help logging into the website.

LWW Health Library

We have access to two collections within the LWW Health Library, ‘Surgery’ and ‘Orthopaedic Surgery’. There are several dozen titles in each collection, along with videos and case studies. Get help logging into the website.

Why e-books?

E-books are invaluable tools for medical and surgical training, offering several advantages over traditional print materials:

• Accessibility: E-books can be accessed on multiple devices, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere. This flexibility is useful when balancing demanding schedules and on-call shifts.
• Up-to-date information: Medicine and surgery are rapidly evolving fields. E-books can be updated more frequently than print versions, ensuring you always have access to the latest evidence-based practices, guidelines, and research.
• Multimedia integration: Many medical e-books incorporate interactive features such as videos, diagrams, and quizzes, which enhance learning and make complex concepts more understandable. Surgical procedures, in particular, can be better illustrated through 3D models or video demonstrations.
• Searchable content: E-books allow you to search for specific terms or topics instantly, which is crucial when looking up key information quickly during clinical practice or while studying for exams.
• Portability: The wider surgical team often moves between hospitals, clinics, and offices. E-books eliminate the need to carry heavy textbooks, as multiple references can be stored on a single device.
• Cost-effective and environmentally friendly: E-books allow for institutional licensing, providing access to a huge variety of subjects at reduced cost and impact on the environment.

Information snacks: getting the most out of your e-books access

Using e-books during a short interval in your day is a great way to find focus and make the most of your time. Here are some tips on how to get started:

• Choose the right e-book: Pick a book that suits your specialty and interests. You can add multiple e-books to a list of desired content and dip in and out when you have a moment.
• Find a comfortable spot: If possible, find a quiet and comfortable place where you can read without distractions.
• Download ahead of time: Ensure your e-book section or chapter is downloaded on your device so you don't waste time waiting for it to load.
• Set a timer: If you have limited time, set a timer so that you can enjoy your reading without worrying about the time.
• Use bookmarks: Digital bookmarks can help you easily find where you left off.
• Take notes: Many e-book readers offer note-taking features if you like jotting down your own thoughts or adding highlights on particularly compelling passages, useful illustrations, or datasets.

Need help accessing e-books?

Log in to the College website before visiting the Surgical Library website, then look for an institutional login link: depending on the site, you will then need to either click on an OpenAthens link or select the College from a list of institutions.

Please visit our help pages, email library.athens@rcseng.ac.uk or call us at +44 (0) 20 7869 6556 if you have any questions or comments or need help using the service.