A comprehensive information service for an academic radiology department

Abstract

In order to simplify access to the medical radiology literature, a clinical information service was created within an academic radiology department. The program, adminis tered by a clinical medical librarian, provides literature search services and current literature selection for in-house faculty and staff members to answer questions related to patient management, research, publication, and conference preparation. Additional services are provided through selective bibliographies and "current awareness" searches, both updated frequently, and a monthly journal table-of-contents packet in the areas of radiologic diagnosis/nuclear medicine and radiation therapy. The clinical medical librarian also administers a departmental learning resource center and teaching files. Development of a subscription information service for practicing radiologists is discussed. The medical library and Department of Radiology at our institution began a CML program that expanded into a comprehensive information service. We detail the establishment of that CML/radiology information service and discuss (1) program objectives and implementation, (2) search services, (3) current-aware ness services, (4) learning resource center facilities and teaching file, (5) admin istrative staff, and (6) marketing of the service to individual physicians and to groups in practice. Program Description Objectives and ImplementationIn the fall of 1978, the library of the Bowman Gray School of Medicine/North Carolina Baptist Hospital Medical Center designated a full-time librarian to serve the information needs of the Department of Radiology as a pilot project. The department incorporates into one administrative unit sections on diagnostic