Empowering Clinicians with AI: Medical Libraries Staying Current

Published Date : 21/08/2025 

Explore how NEJM's curated AI healthcare insights are transforming research and empowering clinicians with the latest, most relevant information. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing healthcare by streamlining research workflows, enhancing information retrieval accuracy, and distilling complex data into actionable insights. As AI applications continue to make headlines, the need for researchers and clinicians to access the latest, most accurate, and clinically relevant information has grown exponentially. However, the vast array of databases available can be overwhelming, requiring users to possess significant expertise in searching and appraising information.

In contrast, the NEJM Collection, published by the NEJM Group, particularly NEJM AI, offers a guiding light by purposefully curating signals from noise to provide the latest, most clinically relevant, and immediately transformative information on all AI in healthcare (AIH) topics.

AIH is a topic of intense discovery and discussion. Articles often highlight both the promise and the perils of AIH. While many proofs of concept exist for AI-enabled technologies, studies to date have been small and sparse. Patient outcomes have not been consistently measured, and the effectiveness of the technology remains unclear. The crucial question of performance gain—what measurable improvement is due to the AI model alone—needs to be rigorously addressed.

The average clinician often struggles to interpret the results of an AI study while trying to determine whether the tool is safe and effective enough to use in practice. This is partly due to the time-intensive nature of appraisal and the sheer volume of new publications. Medical librarians are uniquely positioned to fill these information and skill gaps. They increasingly field user questions regarding how to find good research on AIH and interpret the results. AIH information can be drawn from a vast sea of databases, but the onus is on the user to apply the right filters and be an expert in evaluating the information.

The NEJM Complete Collection, including NEJM AI, provides a guiding light to the latest, most clinically relevant information about AIH. Librarians can support clinicians not only in searching but also in developing algorithmic literacy and critically appraising AI outputs, a crucial skill in a rapidly evolving landscape. The NEJM Complete Collection is a product suite of high-impact, peer-reviewed content curated for researchers, physician learners, and educators at medical schools. The collection stands alone as an entire ecosystem that deliberately separates signal from noise, offering only the most relevant, immediately transformative information for proactively advancing care. Beyond simply presenting information, the portfolio curates content for accuracy and clinical relevance, while also offering physician-editor commentary to provide essential context and clinical decision-making support.

For all users, NEJM Journal Watch can serve as the primary entry point for research. Its authors cull information from more than 150 medical journals, generating succinct summaries of clinical studies, highlighting key findings and clinical implications, and providing expert commentary. This effectively offloads the overwhelming task of staying current and appraising diverse literature for clinicians and researchers. Topics can then be explored in more depth within the primary articles.

The journals in the NEJM Complete Collection are designed to complement each other, each with a distinct and necessary mission aligned towards specific improvements in research and medicine, rather than merely increasing publication volume. Consider this AIH example: NEJM Journal Watch can provide a high-level overview of recent AIH studies, while NEJM AI can offer in-depth, peer-reviewed articles on the latest AIH advancements and their clinical implications. This complementary approach ensures that users have access to both broad and deep insights, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions in their practice. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the NEJM Collection?

A: The NEJM Collection is a suite of high-impact, peer-reviewed medical content curated for researchers, physicians, and educators. It includes NEJM AI, which focuses on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Q: Why is it important for clinicians to stay updated on AI in healthcare?

A: Staying updated on AI in healthcare is crucial for clinicians to ensure they are using the most effective and safe tools in their practice, as AI technologies can significantly improve patient outcomes and streamline workflows.

Q: How can medical librarians help clinicians with AI research?

A: Medical librarians can help clinicians by curating and vetting AI research, providing guidance on how to find and interpret relevant studies, and developing algorithmic literacy among healthcare professionals.

Q: What is the role of NEJM Journal Watch in the NEJM Collection?

A: NEJM Journal Watch serves as the primary entry point for research by summarizing and providing expert commentary on key findings from over 150 medical journals, making it easier for clinicians to stay current with the latest developments.

Q: How does the NEJM Complete Collection ensure the relevance and accuracy of its content?

A: The NEJM Complete Collection curates content for accuracy and clinical relevance, offering physician-editor commentary to provide essential context and support clinical decision-making, ensuring that users have access to the most relevant and transformative information. 

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