Data  Analysis of Consumer and Patient Health Questions Using Geographic Location and NLM Medical Subject Headings:  Exceeding our Boundaries, but Does it?

Sandy Oelschlegel, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Preston Medical Library, Knoxville, TN

Martha Earl, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Preston Medical Library, Knoxville, TN

Purpose: Test whether outreach to consumers and public librarians resulted in increased use of the library’s consumer information service.  Analyze consumer questions according to geographic area to focus programs, marketing, and community partnerships. Determine whether the topics of questions related to the top five disease states in Tennessee to tailor services.

Setting/subjects: The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine Library Consumer Health Information Service/ 2535 consumers who contacted the library between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2004.

Methodology: A retrospective analysis of existing consumer health information questions from 1999-2004 using a mysql database.

Results: Librarians correlated MeSH headings to consumer topics and to the top five disease states and calculated what percentage of topics correlated to each major disease. When they matched outreach locations to consumer requests using zip codes and compared outreach dates and the number of queries in the two months following the presentation, they found little correlation.  Zip code analysis also identified high and low use communities.

Discussion/conclusion:  Outreach programs did not increase the number of queries. There was little consistent positive correlation in calls from a specific zip code following outreach to that zip code. Program impact areas included more sparsely populated rural areas.  The correlation of questions received to the top five disease states demonstrated most request topics unrelated to those definitions. Plans for future marketing include areas pinpointed as low use by zip code analysis and a focus on increased alliances with health care professionals for all communities.

Eliminating Health Disparities with eHealth Information: Innovative Approaches Using Electronic Health Information to Positively Influence Health Behavior.

Rosaline K Lett, CEO The Knowledge Cartel, Lithonia, GA

Tara Douglas Williams, Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, GA

Purpose: This paper will address how eHealth Information was utilized in diverse ways to positively effect the elimination of health disparities and influence changes in health behavior.

Methodology: The [delete institution] in cooperation with the [deleted institution] have teamed up to provide opportunities for (HBCU's) Historically Black Colleges and Universities to provide access to electronic health information for the public. In response to yearly proposal request twelve proposal have been funded. Five of these projects funded by NLM took place on the campus and surrounding communities of HBCU's that include [deleted multiple references to institutions]. Participants in these projects included pharmacy, nursing and allied health students and faculty, as well as patients of community based pharmacy clinics, customers of a community pharmacy, students of a middle school science class, members of faith-based organizations and participants from local public libraries. Data for the projects was collected using various methods such as: surveys, structured interviews, observational studies and other project evaluation methods. Campus libraries as well as local medical libraries partnered with these institutions to develop and implement these projects that challenged core teams to use creativity and out-of-the-box thinking to provide access to the National Library of Medicine Databases in non-traditional settings. These projects have introduced many future health professionals, as well as many local communities, to the NLM databases. They've also opened the door for medical librarians to partner with local HBCU's to train-the trainer, provide support for health information literacy and initiate outreach cooperatives. These projects seek to find a replicable model for outreach to minority communities, assist in eliminating health disparities and contribute to positive outcomes of healthy people 2010. Medical librarians alone can't reach all of the people who need to know how and where to access health information. However, we can identify advocates and liaisons in non-traditional venues to help leverage our ability to spread the message about the importance of health information.
Results: Awareness of NLM products and services being expanded to include members of minority communities and throughout Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Incorporation of the use of NLM products into the curriculum and into the daily lives of community members.  NLM MedlinePlus certification programs, online MedlinePlus Tutorials, Community information access centers, and NLM training for middle school children.  Many other innovative methods of demonstrating the value of NLM products have been revealed through this project.

Conclusions: NLM products and services are extremely useful in helping to eliminate health disparities.  More venues need to be explored for disseminating this valuable health information in minority communities and on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Seniors’ Information Seeking Behavior - See the PPP

Cheryl Dee, School of Library and Information Science, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Priscilla L. Stephenson, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Library, Memphis, TN

Lin Wu, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Library, Memphis, TN

Purpose: Train seniors to use NLM databases to locate health information; study the information seeking behavior of seniors; identify seniors’ attitudes toward use of information technology; and provide practical information for librarians training seniors.

Setting/Participants/Resources: In two NN/LM funded database training projects in Tennessee and Florida, more than 200 seniors from a variety of social, economic, and educational backgrounds were trained to use MedlinePlus and other NLM databases at community senior citizen centers, senior residential communities, and public libraries.

Methodology: Seniors at both sites were trained to use MedlinePlus in small groups of 10 or fewer. Information about seniors’ medical information needs and health care information seeking behavior was gathered from observations and surveys conducted during training sessions.

Results: There were significant differences in the two groups of seniors in terms of prior experience with computers and the Internet. In Florida 17% of the seniors interviewed had less than one year computer experience prior to the training sessions, while 38% of the Tennessee seniors had no Internet experience, and an additional 14% stated they had no interest in using a computer. Prior to the training, only 22% of the Tennessee seniors, compared to 60% of the Florida seniors, used the Internet for health information.

Conclusions: Both programs were successful in teaching seniors to use MedlinePlus and other NLM databases to explore health topics of personal interest and in learning to identify quality health care information resources on the Internet.

An Overview of Institutional Repositories:  Issues and Questions.

Tom Singarella, Health Sciences Library University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN

Lois Bellamy, Biocommunications Center, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the issues related to establishing an institutional repository (IR), including the state of IRs today, and what’s currently happening in higher education institutions.  This paper is written from the perspective of how academic health science libraries might (or might not) develop an IR for their institution, and the relevant questions that should be answered before doing so. A limited literature review forms the basis of the paper and presents a broad-brush stroke on select issues.  Depending on whether you are a librarian, administrator, researcher, clinician, publisher, vendor, author, or teacher, your view of an IR may be different.  We will report on the development, use, and decline of a demo digital repository server using Eprint software to facilitate faculty self-archiving articles on a library based digital repository at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC).

Setting/Participants/Resources: The UT Health Sciences Library is a large, academic health sciences library in an urban setting. During 2004-05, the library mounted a demo IR using Eprint software to facilitate self-archiving of faculty articles.  A white paper entitled, “An overview of institutional repositories” that was developed by Tom Singarella for the AAHSL Charting the Future Committee will be discussed and distributed to participants. 

 Brief Description: The Eprint software that was mounted in late 2004 will be provided as an example of why “build it and they will come” will not work in establishing a digital repository for an academic health science library, and research from the literature will also be presented.

 Results/Outcome:  Hardly any faculty used the library demo server to self-archive articles.  There were server problems.  Lessons learned will be presented.  A list of questions to ask before establishing an IR will be discussed.

 Evaluation Method: Anecdotally, we simply monitored usage and articles deposited on the site.  We learned that faculty self-archiving of articles does not work, and this was supported by the literature. 

Handout:  A copy of a working White Paper on Institutional Repositories will be distributed to participants.

Medical College of Georgia’s Institutional Repository:  Preserving, Protecting, and Presenting its Intellectual Heritage and Identity.

Mark A. Spasser, MD Library, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA

Robert B. Greenblatt, MD Library, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA

Purpose: The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) has embarked on anambitious program to identify and colligate its intellectual assets which currently are disorganized and scattered across the College on individual servers, hard drives, and portable/removable storage media, into an institutional repository (IR). 

Setting/Participants/Resources: MCG is the only public health sciences university in the state of Georgia and in the University System of Georgia. The major use and value of an IR at MCG is to gather together all of the College's intellectual assets into one searchable database.

We will use DSpace software as the IR platform on a server dedicated to the IR.  An action plan is in preparation that will ensure that the IR will be sufficiently scaleable as items are added both by authors and by librarians.  Moreover, copyright issues will dealt with on a case bycase basis.

Brief Description:  An IR is a system that embeds a service model designed to collect, organize, store, and share (where possible) an institution's intellectual heritage and to represent to the world its intellectual identity.  Items typically contained in IRs include (but

are not limited to) electronic theses and dissertations, technical and research reports, pre- and post-print research, working papers, research proposals, conference papers, electronic journals, learning objects, data sets, and service publications. Desired outcomes of IR installations include enhanced institutional prestige, perpetual preservation of institutional digital assets, cross-disciplinary e-learning support, and, uniquely for health sciences institutions, improved patient care.

Results/Outcome: This paper places the development of the MCG IR in the context of a more general discussion of the benefits and issues of developing and sustaining IRs, utilizing, where applicable, examples from other institutions.  Finally, this paper strongly contends that librarians are natural candidates for managing an IR because of our recognized and long-standing expertise in scholarly stewardship.

Keeping History Up to Date: Managing an Integrated Special Collections Digital Library.

Christopher Ryland, Eskind Biomedical Library, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Qinghua Kou, Eskind Biomedical Library, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Jeremy Nordmoe, Eskind Biomedical Library, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Mary Teloh, Eskind Biomedical Library, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Purpose: To describe the processes and outcomes involved in creating a Special Collections Digital Library at the Eskind Biomedical Library (EBL) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).  

Setting/Participants/Resources:  Large academic medical center library special collections focus area, with emphasis on historical collections and institutional archives.

Brief Description: EBL’s Special Collections has long maintained a web site showcasing the library’s unique holdings and highlighting Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s contributions to the history of medicine.  Though the site served as a rich resource, it required manual updating of templates, navigation, and external links.  Given changes in institutional web design processes, support staff, and Special Collections’ administration, inefficiencies related to updating the web site effectively brought its development to a halt.  To obviate these issues, EBL leveraged its flexible Digital Library Shell to create a Special Collections Digital Library that provides not only in-depth information about the focus area and its holdings, but also serves as a research portal for free and subscription-based resources relating to a broad range of history of medicine-related topics.  In creating this Special Collections Digital Library, the team leveraged a number of existing tools in addition to EBL’s Digital Library Shell, including a recently created Archival Collections Management Tool, and an updated content template that minimizes HTML input.  

Results/Outcome: Expanding the concept of the Digital Library to include research and internal web resources has provided staff faster, more efficient methods for site content updates and improves the visibility and accessibility of EBL’s rich archival and historical materials.  The Digital Library also consolidates access to collections regardless of format, whether archival files, biographical information, images, or online exhibits, and thus facilitates the incorporation of the historical record into present-day research. 

Evaluation Method:  The success of the Special Collections Digital Library will be evaluated through analysis of usage statistics, user feedback, and metrics related to maintenance and updating of portal content.

Our Image Through the eEyes of the Image-Makers – The Entertainment Industry Looks at Health Science Libraries and Librarians.

Jan H. LaBeause, Medical Library & Peyton T. Anderson Learning Resources Center, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA

Purpose. Over the years, the entertainment industry has portrayed libraries as serious, intimidating, silent warehouses of books. Librarians have been depicted as shy, unassertive, rigid, and/or just plain boring. They have done little to dispel these stereotypical personality traits as well as the physical characteristics of buns, glasses, and orthopedic shoes. Health sciences libraries and librarians have not been treated much differently.

Setting/Participants/Resources. This talk will look at how health sciences libraries and librarians have been depicted in a selection of books, movies, television programs and cartoons over the years. Typical (and atypical) librarians will be presented as well as the library as a setting for medical research.

Results/Outcome. The media have largely perpetuated some of the negative stereotypes of librarians as dowdy, stern, quiet, non-descript spinsters and wimps. However, in some instances they have presented the more positive image of intelligent, helpful, customer service professionals wih strong convictions about freedom of speech, equal access to information and the individual’s right to privacy. The health sciences library as a setting has been portrayed more favorably than its public counterpart with far less “shushing” and much more enlightenment.

We’ll Try Anything Outreach:   A “Celebration” Approach to National Library Week Activities.

Lisa Ennis, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Michael Fitts, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Pat Higginbottom, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Lee Vucovich, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Purpose: This paper will report on the library’s activities during National Library Week, April 2005.  

Setting/Participants/Resources:  Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham is a large, academic health sciences library in an urban setting. Library staff is working hard to build more connections with faculty, staff and students of the University through various promotion and outreach activities.

Brief Description: We’ve done things before to celebrate the library with varying degrees of success.  This year a team was organized to plan events for National Library Week, using a combination of activities we’d tried before coupled with new and creative ways to reach users. Events and activities were specifically designed to reach the library’s remote users as well as those that visit the building.  To promote the events, we used our traditional methods, but added ways that might appeal to a larger audience. 

Results/Outcome: Overall, the National Library Week events were an astounding success!  For some activities, we had an overwhelming response.  In other cases, while the number of people who came wasn’t high, the “buzz” generated by the event was very positive and gave us ways to follow up with other users.

Evaluation Method: We judged the success of the promotion by the number and type of responses we received to the various events.  We’ll use what we learned to develop activities for National Medical Librarian’s Month in October and other similar events.

 

Supporting the Medical Community, Florida Technical College Medical Students and Faculty Through Special Library Programs.

Martha Haller Scanlon, Florida Technical College Library, Florida Technical College, DeLand, FL

Purpose:  To describe various library programs in support of the medical community, FTC medical students and faculty and their effectiveness in increasing awareness of library services.

Setting/Participants/Resources: Florida Technical College is a private two year, academic institution.  Two of its degree offerings are for Medical Administrative Assistant and Medical Assistant.  The total student throughput to-date for these programs is four hundred and sixty four.

Brief Description:  The following FTC Library efforts support the medical community, FTC medical students and faculty: database demonstrations for faculty and students; local hospital health fair; teleconferences; Health Literacy presentations; medical book vendor fairs; Who Moved My Cheese presentation; medical resource websites listed on syllabi; medical professional education; and library celebrations.

Results/Outcome: All of these efforts, with the exception of the local hospital health fair and teleconferences were successful.  All programs will be continued, modified, and monitored each year.

Evaluation Method:  The success of these efforts is measured by data from users signing-in and indicating their reasons for visiting the library on a monthly basis; attendance at listed programs; results from evaluation surveys; and informal reports from participants.

Does Training Primary Care Providers in the Use of PDA's for Clinical Decision-Making Change their Clinical Behavior?

Rick Wallace, East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine Library

Fred Tudiver, M.D. East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN

Doug Rose, M.D., East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN

Purpose: Test the feasibility and effectiveness of providing best evidence at the point of clinical decision-making with PDAs in rural primary care settings.

Setting/subjects: Rural primary care outpatient clinics in East Tennessee.

Methodology: Pre-post experimental pilot study.

Results: There were 477 InfoRetriever searches and 1016 clinical encounters for the “tracer” conditions. Antibiotic usage dropped, x-rays increased, but none were statistically significant. Symptomatic relief prescribing (analgesics, decongestants, for sore throat/pharyngitis; antihistamine/decongestants for sinusitis) significantly decreased. Nasal inhaler prescribing for acute sinusitis significantly increased

Discussion/conclusion: PCP use of PDAs for clinical decision-making hardly changed often useless prescribing of antibiotics and x-rays, but did alter prescribing of substances for symptomatic relief.

Advocating for Nursing Informatics Skills: Collaboration Between Medical Sciences Library and a New School of Advanced Nursing Education.

Ernesta Greenidge, Medical Sciences Library, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

Purpose: This paper will report on the involvement of librarians at the Medical Sciences Library (MSL) in the development of a Nursing Informatics Course in the School of Advanced Nursing Education (SANE) at the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS).

Setting/Participants/Resources: The MSL serves the information, educational and research needs of the FMS. The FMS comprises a Pharmacy programme and Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and Nursing, Thirty-two students are enrolled in the programme at the SANE leading to the award of a B.Sc. Nursing degree.  At the inception of the SANE (2005), a librarian at the MSL was invited to contribute to the development of a Nursing Informatics course.

Brief Description: The involvement of librarians in the development of informatics training has been reported in the literature.  Librarians at the MSL embraced this unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a new programme in partnership with Nursing and Medical Education faculty. The steps in defining the course offerings, including choice of content, the unique challenges faced in the delivery of the course given the profile of the first cohort of students, lessons learned and accomplishments are described. Issues to be addressed include: librarians’ challenges and rewards in instruction and education roles, and best practices in course development and review.

Results/Outcome: Involvement in this course has prompted a re-evaluation of content and sequencing of instructional offerings by the Medical Sciences Library. The content is being reviewed, as well, in the context of the integration of informatics skills in other areas of the Medical Sciences Curriculum.

Evaluation Method: Evaluation questionnaires are completed by students at the end of the course modules. Discussions with SANE faculty and responses from Nursing students regarding the value of the concepts covered also assist in assessing impact and other measures of success.

An Education Digital Library:  Seamless Access to Medical Curriculum Support Resources.

Pauline Todd, Eskind Biomedical Library, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Nunzia Giuse, Eskind Biomedical Library, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Purpose: To strengthen the library’s institutional position as a critical facet of information infrastructure and repository for resources fostering evidence-based healthcare, education, and research through integration of targeted resources with specific course curriculum via links within the medical school’s course management system. 

Setting/Participants: A large, academic health sciences library supporting diverse uses.

Brief Description:  As a key information hub for the medical center, the library has created comprehensive digital library to facilitate resource location and evidence-based healthcare.  Leveraging on these reusable resources, the library partnered with the medical school to provide direct access to relevant, course-specific resources for students and faculty.  Librarians, in consultation with faculty and students, populated the tool with electronic course readings and select library resources targeted to each class lecture.  These customized resources synergistically connect the digital library with the school’s course management system and website portal.

Results/Outcome: All 29 VMS required core courses have successfully been linked to electronic resources for curriculum support at the time of study.  This digital library promotes library resources/services through integration with existing medical education informatics tools. Moreover, this proactive approach to educational and information needs reinforces the library’s position as a promoter of evidence-based healthcare and showcases librarians’ critical skills of information needs assessment and organization. 

Evaluation Method: Feedback from web forms integrated in the digital library and the continuous addition of faculty suggested readings allows constant updating and refinement to improve usability and relevance of site content.  Additionally, the library holds periodic focus groups of students and faculty to assess the digital library’s use, penetration and areas for improvement.  Usage stats provide an additional means for evaluating the utility of the digital library and provide information further development.  This system represents a proactive approach to integrating information at the point of need versus traditional methods of information provision.

Tenure and Faculty Status in Academic Health Sciences Libraries.

Priscilla L. Stephenson, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Library, Memphis, TN

Lin Wu, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Library, Memphis, TN

Betsy Park, University of Memphis Libraries, Memphis, TN

Perveen Rustomfram, University of Memphis Libraries, Memphis, TN

Purpose:  This research project examines the status of library faculty and criteria for appointment, tenure, and promotion of academic health sciences librarians. Previous studies of librarians in comprehensive institutions did not include health sciences librarians. Data were compared to those reported by Park & Riggs (1989, 1991) for librarians at comprehensive institutions.

Setting/Subjects: Academic Health Sciences Libraries in the US and Canada. Library directors (181)

Methodology: Mailed survey. The survey was conducted between June and August 2004. The questionnaire was mailed to the directors of 181 Academic Health Science Libraries in the United Sates and Canada and yielded 129 usable responses with a response rate of 71%.

Results: The survey results indicate that at the health sciences libraries surveyed, 57% of the librarians have faculty status, 30% hold tenure-track positions, 46% have faculty rank, and 49% are eligible for promotion through the academic ranks. Academic health sciences libraries use a variety of criteria for tenure and promotion, including job performance, teaching, service, research and scholarship.

Discussion/Conclusion: There are differences in faculty status and tenure between librarians at academic health sciences libraries and those at comprehensive institutions. Teaching, research, and scholarship play a greater role at academic health sciences institutions than at comprehensive institutions. 41% of the health sciences libraries require librarians to publish for tenure and/or promotion. 86% of the health sciences libraries encourage librarians to publish for tenure and/or promotion. One difference of note between librarians at health sciences libraries and at comprehensive institutions is that additional graduate degrees are required at 41% of the comprehensive institutions but at less than 6% of the academic health sciences libraries.

Optimal Strategies for Searching, Citing, and Organizing Electronic Research Literature.

Bruce Rubin, M.D., Wake Forest University School of Medicine; David Stewart, Parks Welch, Coy Carpenter Library, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Samir Shah, Coy C. Carpenter Library, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

Bruce Rubin, MD, Coy C. Carpenter Library, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

David Stewart, Coy C. Carpenter Library, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

Parks Welch, Coy C. Carpenter Library, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

Purpose: We have developed an efficient system for researching, accessing, and organizing electronic literature.

Setting/Participants/Resources:  Our program is in a unique position of having access to the electronic journals of both Wake Forest University and Virginia Tech. We use Science Citation Index and Medline databases to search these resources. Electronic databases and journals provide convenient opportunities for searching the literature; however, manuscript preparation with such large amounts of information is challenging.

Brief Description: Using our electronic journal access, we created bookmarks to the proxy servers of these databases and journal gateways. We then modified the filters in Reference Manager to better interact with the formats of these databases. We further built an “index card” software to take notes of the literature by topic, while preserving the source for future citation.

Outcome: Our methods allowed quick access to searches and full text access to the results, regardless of whether we accessed it from our personal homes or from the institution. Citations and abstracts were efficiently downloaded into Reference Manager and recalled during manuscript preparation. Our “index card” permitted searching by keywords, and printing the notes by topic and author/year, making it convenient to find, organize, and cite information, and thus, easing manuscript preparation.

Evaluation: We are considering sharing these resources with our new graduate students. We have also written and are exploring applications outside our institution.

If you Build it, Will They Come?  Increasing the Utilization of Electronic Resources.

Mary Fran Prottsman, VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS

Dianne Jones, VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS

Purpose:  This paper will report on educational, marketing, and organizational interventions which increased the utilization of existing electronic resources.

Setting/Participants/Resources:  The Medical Library, VA Medical Center, Jackson MS, supports a hospital with 1700 employees and 140 residents During the four years that the library provided electronic databases to its clientele, utilization remained at a constant level. 

Brief description: Six months ago, the library staff reorganized the electronic resources to provide better access by launching a web page and by implementing PubMed Linkout and a commercial electronic serials manager. An intense marketing program combined with tailored educational interventions followed. The organization and development of the marketing and educational efforts will be addressed as will the return on investment [ROI] to the institution in terms of clinical staff time savings and improved resource allocation.

Results/Outcome:  Electronic resource utilization quadrupled. Individualized training sessions improved our clientele’s searching skills and provided the library staff with a better understanding of their informational needs. Per title utilization data improved purchase decisions. Enhanced desktop access and improved searching skills saved clinician staff time. Yes, if you build it they will come, but if you organize, market and train, they will come more often.

Evaluation method:  We continuously monitor utilization through database vendor reports and clientele comments.

Integrating Virtual Reference with Electronic Resources and Document Delivery Services.

Ellen N. Sayed, Biomedical Library, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

Clista Clanton, Biomedical Library, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

Justin Robertson, Biomedical Library, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

Purpose: This paper will report on the integration of electronic web based resources, the library’s virtual chat service and document delivery services to distant library users at their point of need.

Methodology: The Biomedical Library at University of South Alabama serves the College of Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health.  The College of Nursing has enrolled a growing number of online, graduate students, who do not attend on-site library instruction classes. The virtual reference service has proven to be a useful tool in integrating the Library’s electronic resources and services to these distant users.

 Although the Library’s resources and services are available to online students, they do not attend on-site library instruction classes, and are, generally, unfamiliar with how to use library resources effectively. The virtual reference service, using Live Person, was introduced at the Biomedical Library in July 2003.  Reference staff is able to “push” links to database searches, full-text articles, and other service links on the library’s web page, such as how to request and receive library materials electronically, to the virtual “caller”. Statistics and a satisfaction survey from the virtual chat service were used to determine level of use and satisfaction with the service. Document delivery statistics were used to determine use of electronic document delivery service.

Conclusions: For the reference staff, the ability to “push” links to the Library’s resources and services has proven more effective than explaining those services via telephone, while working online, simultaneously.  Using the virtual reference service, allows the reference staff to provide the students with precise links to relevant information at a point of need for the students. Students, on their part, expressed satisfaction with the virtual reference service. Distance education students are also heavy users of the Library’s electronic desktop delivery service.

Software Engineering Approaches to Websites – A Non-Technical View.

Suzanne P. Nagy, Maguire Medical Library, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Purpose:  This paper will discuss the applicability of software development processes for library website development as demonstrated by the virtual library web site at the Florida State University College of Medicine.

Setting:  The FSU College of Medicine was founded in 2001, with an initial class of thirty students, and an initial virtual library of four online resources.  The FSU medical program is community-based, with third and fourth year students distributed throughout the state.  Thus, from the beginning the plans for the medical library called for 90% online access.

Brief Description:  As the school and the library resources have grown, the original single-page site became inadequate.  Initial efforts to expand the site using the available models set by traditional library practices and by the sites of established libraries were not satisfactory.  By viewing HTML code as a type of software to justify applying software engineering development principles, and by involving some classes from the College of Information for manpower, a spiral development process was created for the site.  This process is being used to design, build, evaluate, and maintain the site.

Results / Outcome:  The needs of our users, as expressed in the requirements-gathering phase, strongly influenced the design.  Categorizing according to these needs (e.g., clinical, research) was a better fit for them than categorizing according to the format of the resource (e.g., monograph, journal) and this affected the architecture of the site.  The architecture supports the addition of resources and access points; major rewrites have not been necessary.

Evaluation Method:  Periodic usability studies are performed using a variety of techniques to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the site; and the site is modified accordingly.  (http://med.fsu.edu/library).

The Interview:  A Unique Opportunity for Celebration, Advocacy, and Rejuvenation!

Lisa A Ennis, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Michael Fitts, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Purpose: With the focus on attracting and retaining medical librarians celebrating, advocating, and rejuvenating are important components to any interview! This paper examines the roles of celebrating, advocating, and rejuvenating throughout an intensive interview process, not only for the candidate but the Lister Hill Library as well.

Brief Description: Seeing the interview process as an opportunity for celebrating, advocating, and rejuvenating is not an odd notion. For an organization, choosing a new employee is a chance to reflect on who they are and where they want to go. How a library presents itself in a position advertisement dictates who will apply, preparing for the candidate is a time of rejuvenation as the library gets ready to present itself, and the time spent with a candidate is a welcome opportunity to promote their library. For the candidate entering into a job search the interview is also a time of celebration, advocacy, and rejuvenating. Interviewing allows the job seeker the chance to “interview” their host, sell themselves, and reflect on where they want their career to go. Both the candidate and the library look for enthusiasm, energy, hope, and optimism. And when a good match is made it is definitely time to celebrate!

Results/Outcome: Two new reference librarians were successfully hired. Both are fitting in, making contributions, and enjoying their new roles as medical librarians and the library is enjoying rejuvenation through the new librarians’ enthusiasm and their new approaches to old problems.

Evaluation Method: Success is judged by the enthusiasm and energy brought by the new librarians and the library’s willingness and joy at having two new medical librarians in their midst.

Successful International Library Partnerships: Collective Efforts.

Jie Li, University of South Alabama Biomedical Library, Mobile, AL

Purpose: Promote health sciences library partnerships between libraries in developing and developed countries.

Setting/Participants/Resources: The International Cooperation Section’s Health Sciences Library Partnership Committee was formed to assist libraries interested in becoming partners or sister libraries.

Brief Description: The article defines international library partnership, characterizes types of partnership, partnership initiatives, critical success factors, barriers and benefits of partnerships, and the process of partnership. The article particularly describes the International Cooperation Section’s Health Sciences Library Partnership Committee’s efforts for health science library partnerships between libraries in developed and developing countries, and its roles in assisting the forming of international health sciences library partnerships. It further presents case studies of successful library partnerships which are results of collective efforts between libraries in resource-poor countries and North America.

Results/Outcome: Health sciences library partnership enhances knowledge that will improve global health, and bridge the health information gap between the North and the South. The partnership program does not only assist libraries in developing countries, it also makes librarians in developed countries feel that the program broadens their own experience and often results in a better understanding of their local situation and enriches their professional lives.

Evaluation Method:  A comprehensive questionnaire has been developed to measure the successfulness, effectiveness and efficiency of the library partnership programs.

Celebrate Success:  Evaluation of a Liaison Librarian Program.

Michele R. Tennant, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries and U.F. Genetics Institute

Tara T. Cataldo, University of Florida Marston Science Library, Gainesville, FL

Pamela Sherwill-Navarro, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries and College of Nursing

Objective:  To evaluate the effectiveness of a 5-year old Liaison Librarian Program based on client and liaison feedback. 

Setting/Subjects: Faculty, staff and students of six health-related colleges (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Health Professions, and Veterinary Medicine), and the liaison librarians who serve them.

Methodology:   Clients and liaisons were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the effectiveness and other attributes of the Liaison Librarian program.  Client questions addressed knowledge and use of the liaison program, potential improvement in services and communication with the library, support for continuing the program, and related issues.  Liaisons were queried concerning perceived success of the program, evidence of and barriers to success, the pros and cons of subject specialization, and activities that liaisons undertake to improve subject expertise and knowledge of client needs. 

Results:  Over 300 students, staff and faculty responded to the web-based anonymous survey, representing all six colleges.  Responses indicated that a large number of users were not aware of the liaison program.  However, those clients who had used the program overwhelmingly supported its continuation and found the existing services and liaison activities to be of great utility.  Liaison responses (10) suggested that educational activities and relationship-building were the most effective activities performed, based on patron comments and increased opportunities to teach and work with faculty on various projects, publications, and committees.  Barriers to success were also identified, including time constraints, a lack of “standardized” liaison activities, and some client groups who do not participate.

Conclusions:   The results of the client and librarian surveys suggest that the HSCL liaison program successfully meets the needs of many clients as well as the liaisons, although increased marketing appears warranted.  Successful strategies and barriers to overcome have been identified and will be addressed in subsequent program refinement.

Advocating for Speedy Delivery:  How Long Does it Take to Receive an Electronically Delivered Interlibrary Loan?

Karen L. Roth, Morton Plant Mease Health Care Medical Libraries, Clearwater, FL

Thomas W. Hill, Self Regional Healthcare, Greenwood, SC

Purpose:  To quantify the time involved for electronic document delivery using Docline.

Setting/subjects:  The first phase of this research will be done at 2 hospital medical libraries, one in Florida and one in South Carolina.

Methodology:  Using Docline, both libraries have designated a 30 day period to track input and output of interlibrary loans (ILL) for which electronic receipt was requested.  All date and time data is available within Docline.

Results/outcomes:  This initial research is expected to give information on the mean time for electronic document delivery (EDD).  Variables may include the number of libraries required to fill an ILL, non-receipt issues, non-electronic receipt problems. 

Discussion/conclusion:  This is Phase I of a 3 part research project.  In this phase, we hope to set the stage for a wider investigation of EDD for hospital libraries.  Phase II will include a refined research tool and participation from a larger group.  Phase III will expand the time element to include post-library receipt of electronic material.  Outcomes from library customers will be included in Phase III.

Overcoming Barriers: Advocating for Effective Internet Access in Hospital Libraries.

Tracy E. Powell, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Purpose:  This paper will describe the work of the Hospital Internet Access Task Force, established in May 2003 by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine to (a) identify barriers to accessing Internet-based information within the hospital library, (b) identify strategies and best practices for overcoming barriers while maintaining security and privacy, (c) identify methods for disseminating information to hospitals, their libraries, and their IT departments, and (d) recommend actions to NN/LM and NLM for promoting effective access to electronic knowledge-based information within the hospital environment.

Setting/Participants/Resources:  The Task Force included staff from the National Library of Medicine, hospital librarians and/or NN/LM staff from 6 of 8 Network regions, and two IT professionals.  Work was conducted via conference calls, a web site, and email.

Brief Description:  The Task Force brainstormed on barriers, solicited input from network members, and reviewed the printed literature and presentations from regional and national meetings.  Task Force members conducted structured telephone interviews with 47 librarians identified through this data collection.  The resulting information on barriers and strategies, institutional setting, IT support and environment, and methods for effectively disseminating findings was coded and analyzed.

Results/Outcome:  The results of the data analysis and recommendations of the Task Force were included in a final report submitted to NLM in March 2005.

Evaluation Method:  An Open Forum was sponsored by the Task Force at MLA ’04 in Washington, DC, in order to provide an update and gather additional input on the work of the Task Force.  More than 50 librarians attended the session, which resulted in the identification of additional strategies and suggestions for disseminating the results of the Task Force.

The Health Information in Georgia Survey – Identifying the Information Needs and Habits of Health Professionals, Librarians, and the General Public.

Rita Smith, Mercer Medical Library and Learning Resources Center, Macon, GA

Jan LaBeause, Mercer Medical Library and Learning Resources Center, Macon, GA

Purpose: The Health Information in Georgia Survey was developed as part of a statewide outreach planning and evaluation grant awarded by NN/LM – Southeastern/Atlantic Region.  Four groups are targeted: 1) health professionals & health professions students 2) librarians & library employees 3) general public and 4) Spanish-speaking members of the general public. The survey will help identify the health information needs and habits of these groups, enabling NN/LM and libraries in Georgia to provide services and resources that are of the highest priority to users. 

Setting/Participants/Resources:  To gain a better understanding of health information needs in the state, the Mercer Medical Library and LRC, in conjunction with Georgia’s other three medical school libraries and other partners, developed a needs assessment to be administered to individuals and groups across Georgia.   

Methodology: The survey will identify the kinds of health information typically needed by health professionals, librarians, and members of the public, as well as which resources are currently used most by these populations. The survey will be available statewide from May 16, 2005 to June 16, 2005, and is being disseminated in both print and Web versions (http://gain.mercer.edu/survey) by a diverse network of partners including public libraries, AHECS, hospitals, and health professional associations.       

Results/Outcome: The survey is the first of its kind in the region, and results will be used to improve access to reliable and appropriate health information in Georgia. Findings will also aid plans for Georgia’s GoLocal project.

Multi-Disciplinary Distance Education:  Developing Academic Medical Library Support.

Thomas L. Williams, Baugh Biomedical Library, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

Patricia M. Williams, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL

Clista Clanton, Baugh Biomedical Library, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

Purpose:  This paper will report on the development of multi-disciplinary programs developed by the library in support of distance education.

Setting:  The University of South Alabama is a large, multi-campus institution in an urban setting with undergraduate and graduate liberal arts programs, engineering, business, allied health, nursing and medicine. 

Brief Description:  Distance education has quickly become an integral part of many institutional programs.  This is especially true in such disciplines as Nursing, certain medical programs, and such non-medical disciplines as Computer Science.  This paper will discuss the process wherein the Biomedical Library at the University of South Alabama has developed tutorials, live chat, and other programs to support such endeavors at this institution.  Clearly, nursing, allied health, medical and similar programs are the purview of the medical library in terms of developing support.  These efforts will be described.  Further, faculty from a local, small, liberal arts college approached us with questions about developing tutorials and other support programs for Computer Science.  The efforts in this regard will be discussed as well.

Results/Outcome:  The Biomedical Library has had much success in developing online support programs for distance education students.  These include tutorials as well as live chat and other resources.  In-roads are being made in organizing similar programs for Computer Science students at Spring Hill College and, by extension, students at the University of South Alabama.

Evaluation Method:  By comments from students and faculty as well as surveys, we are monitoring user satisfaction which, to date, have been very favorable.

Allied Health B.I.tes.

‘Nita Ferree, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, Gainesville, FL

Nancy Schaefer, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, Gainesville, FL

Purpose:  This paper will demonstrate “homegrown” bibliographic instruction products adapted to the needs of our practical, less research-oriented allied health students at the request of the faculty who are training them.

Setting/Subjects: The University of Florida Health Science Center consists of 6 colleges, one of which is the College of Public Health and Health Professions (COPHHP).  The HSCL Liaisons to the departments within the COPHHP are responsible for course-integrated/

subject-related bibliographic instruction, tutorials, online pathfinders and consultations with students and faculty in their assigned departments.  This paper deals with ways in which two of the liaisons responsible to the departments of Communicative Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, and Rehabilitation Counseling have met the information requirements of their patrons. 

Brief Description: Allied health students often see no need for research skills beyond their current degree and so have no patience with comprehensive, detailed bibliographic instruction.  With the literature in their fields often spread among multiple databases, time pressures and the active nature of these students have motivated us to triage BI sessions to “just the facts” and tailor library materials to meet their specific needs. 

Results/Outcome:  Allied health students are willingly contacting us more frequently, appreciative of our help, and faculty is requesting more service. Librarians at other libraries, on campus and elsewhere, have requested permission to refer students to some of our tutorials. A statistical public health pathfinder has been used for multiple purposes from grant writing to community assessment.

Evaluation Methods: Quantitative data on consultations, course-integrated classes, email queries and hits on online tutorials will measure our success at sound-byte style bibliographic instruction for allied health students.

PDA Training for Faculty Physicians: Becoming the Campus PDA Experts.

Rick Wallace, East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine Library, Johnson City, TN

Jamie Price, East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine Library, Johnson City, TN

Suresh Ponnappa, East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine Library, Johnson City, TN

Purpose: To train clinical faculty in a college of medicine to 1) be proficient PDA users and 2.) be proficient users of the PDA databases InfoRetriever and Epocrates

Setting/Subjects: East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine full-time and adjunct clinical faculty.

Methodology: Seven PDAs were purchased with grant money. They were loaded with the databases InfoRetriever and Epocrates. Faculty physicians were solicited to receive one to four hours of training. CME was offered. The basics of PDA use were covered as well as instruction in the use of clinical databases. The physicians were allowed to keep the PDA one month

Results: The classes have been well received. The library has become a place students, residents and faculty come to with PDA problems.

Conclusions: Dr David Slawson, international EBM expert, has stated that the PDA will become as important as the stethoscope. Medical information has migrated from print to digital and is now moving from desktop to handheld. Medical librarians must be at the forefront of this shift.

Delivery of PDA Technology to Librarians and Preceptors: Building Knowledge Bases, Meeting Organizational Objectives and Establishing Networks.

Nadine Dexter, Maquire Medical Library, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Barbara Shearer, Maquire Medical Library, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Suzanne Nagy, Maquire Medical Library, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Purpose: This paper will describe outcomes of an NN/LM subcontract project which provided funds for the purchase and delivery of PDA’s for affiliated librarians and faculty preceptors at the Florida State University College of Medicine (FSUCOM).

Setting: The FSUCOM is one of 20 U.S. community-based medical schools.  Created in 2000 to meet the healthcare needs of underserved citizens in Florida, students’ clerkship years are spent at one of four regional campuses located throughout the state.  Since at least 90% of the library collection is delivered electronically, it is imperative that students and faculty make effective use of the latest technology including PDA resources.

Brief Description: In December 2003, the medical librarians were awarded a 1 year National Network of Libraries of Medicine/Southeastern Atlantic Regional Library (NN/LM RMLS/SEA) subcontract for $16,000 to purchase PDA’s and reference and clinical decision software for affiliated hospital librarians.   The first year of the subcontract was designed to meet the following three objectives:  create a foundation and network of affiliated hospital librarians, provide a unique training opportunity for the hospital librarians, and evaluate a number of PDA medical reference resources.  In February 2005, the NN/LM extended the subcontract through January 2006 for another $15,000 to deliver PDA’s and training to 15 medical preceptors and clerkship faculty. 

Results/Outcome:  During the first year of the subcontract, the planning objectives were met.  Lessons learned in respect to software installation troubleshooting, hardware requirements and training to a distant population were key in preparing for year 2 of the subcontract.  Progress to date on the second year of the subcontract will be presented as well.  This project is an example of how a collaborative effort of our librarians, our medical informatics director and our faculty development director can result in outcomes that further the aspects of our curriculum mission focusing on medical informatics and information mastery.

Evaluation Method:  Methods employed throughout this project include a computer skills inventory, software evaluation survey, and an evaluation survey and feedback session scheduled late in year 2 of the project.