Measuring the impact of information skills training: a survey of health libraries in E ngland

Background This paper is the second part of a two phase, sequential mixed method study. Objectives To get the views of medical librarians in Pakistan regarding information literacy (IL) skills of medical students and how to teach them IL skills. Methods Structured interviews were conducted with 20 medical librarians in Pakistan. We audio recorded, transcribed all the interviews and performed content analysis and coding of the textual data. We presented the emerging themes with the frequency of their appearance. Results Interviewees agreed that the IL skills of their students were inadequate. Participants suggested that librarians should train students through mandatory IL instruction programmes, designed in coordination with medical faculty. However, workshops/seminars were considered the most effective IL delivery methods for medical faculty and clinicians. The majority of respondents supported the integration of IL instruction into the curriculum as an independent and credit course. Discussion Teaching IL skills to medical students requires proper planning. Therefore, librarians have to prove their place within the curricular structure of the institution and develop understanding of the pedagogy of instruction. Conclusion Librarians must collaborate with faculty to train students in advanced information skills. There is a need to integrate IL instruction into the curriculum at all levels.

“…Ayre et al. () also reported that IL skills improved the health care practices of physicians. Johnson and Barrett () assessed and compared the two pedagogical methods of IL instruction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Teaching information literacy skills to medical students: perceptions of health sciences librarians

Ullah

Ameen²

2019

“…There is substantive subjective evidence of the positive impact of library services in clinical settings. In surveys, library users state that information sourced through the library is having a positive impact on patient care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Demonstrating the financial impact of clinical libraries: a systematic review

Madden

Collins

Macias

et al. 2016

Self Cite

Objective: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the tools used to measure the financial value of libraries in a clinical setting. Methods: Searches were carried out on ten databases for the years 2003-2013, with a final search before completion to identify any recent papers. Results: Eleven papers met the final inclusion criteria. There was no evidence of a single 'best practice', and many metrics used to measure financial impact of clinical libraries were developed on an ad hoc basis locally. The most common measures of financial impact were value of time saved, value of resource collection against cost of alternative sources, cost avoidance and revenue generated through assistance on grant submissions. Few papers provided an insight into the longer term impact on the library service resulting from submitting return on investment (ROI) or other financial impact statements. • It is worth pursuing the concept of value of information studies in the context of clinical libraries.• Health library associations should collaborate on the development of common measurement standards, which reflect accounting practices in the wider clinical setting.• Health librarians should commit to adopting and implementing these standards in their own organisation.• It is important that health librarians identify and include feedback and outcomes in studies analysing the financial impact of their clinical library service.

“…Finally, in a questionnaire survey of over 60 separate organisations in England, Ayre et al . investigated the impact of information skills training on information practice.…”

Section: In This Issue…mentioning

confidence: 99%

Getting involved in international development activities: UK initiatives and hidden benefits

Cheeseborough¹,

Godbolt²,

Grant³

2015

Jackie Cheeseborough and Shane Godbolt describe the role that UK health information professionals have in global health and in supporting colleagues from developing countries to continue to develop as a provision. They give an overview of a range of organisations working to improve access to health information in developing countries and in particular Sub-Saharan Africa including Book Aid International, HIFA, INASP, ITOCA, Phi, TALC, THET and Research4Life. Even in a recession, many UK health librarians are choosing to get involved in international development activities in low-resource countries by volunteering, and discovering hidden benefits for their own organisations, and their own continuing professional development.