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Background: Infographics facilitate rapid information dissemination with enriched eye‐catching content on social media, but it is unclear what factors affect the adoption of information presented in this way. Objectives: We tested whether the Information Acceptance Model applies to infographics on healthy lifestyle and fitness topics. Methods: Two hundred and four university students were invited to participate in an online survey on their acceptance after reading some healthy lifestyle and fitness topics infographics shared on social media. The data collected were analysed using Partial Least Square path modelling. Results: The results confirmed information usefulness as a predictor of information adoption; attitude towards information and information adoption were the predictors of behavioural intention. Information credibility and attitude towards information, but not information quality and needs, were significantly related to information usefulness. Social media usage and education level were factors affecting infographics impressions. Discussion: Results support most hypotheses. It confirms information usefulness as a predictor of infographics adoption. Attitudes towards information and information adoption are predictors of behavioural intentions of following healthy lifestyle and fitness suggestions through social media infographics. Conclusion: Social media facilitates interpersonal communication, information exchange and knowledge sharing, and infographics may draw people into healthy lifestyle and fitness information items relevant to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health workers are responsible for finding, processing, and transferring health information to communities with limited access to health‐related resources, including farmworkers. This paper is the culmination of an undergraduate student research project to explore the learning processes and preferences of farmworker‐serving community health workers in the USA. The project was designed for students from farmworker or agricultural backgrounds at two North Carolina universities and was supported by a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services workforce development grant. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted, in person and virtually, with a convenience sample of 17 current and former community health workers. The interview data were analysed thematically and identified a preference for a combination of learning styles, with visual and hands‐on learning being the most preferred. Community health workers also identified the importance of learning preferences in relation to their responsibilities as health educators. This study provides librarians, along with public health and medical professionals, with useful information about learning preferences to inform the creation of new and varied learning materials for community health workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community health workers (CHWs) bridge the gap in health and social services delivery for marginalized communities, providing critical health information to those with limited access to health resources. Objectives: The purpose of our study was to understand CHWs' approaches to identifying salient and credible health information for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in rural North Carolina (NC). Methods: Two focus group discussions were held with CHWs in eastern NC and one in western NC in February 2020. Results: CHWs seek health information on chronic health conditions disproportionately experienced by farmworkers such as diabetes and high blood pressure. They search for information from existing resources in their possession, via the internet, and through consultation with health professionals. CHWs also verify the information and transform the content into resources that are accessible to farmworkers. Discussion: Our findings suggest that CHWs possess a strong set of information literacy skills that could be enhanced through additional training in crediting sources, creating new materials, and organization and storage. Conclusion: This study adds to the very limited body of knowledge about how CHWs seek and transmit information to their communities and sheds light on their information need and literacy abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the health information needs of adolescents is the first step towards providing them with relevant information to aid them in their decision making regarding health issues. Objective: The goal of this study is to assess adolescents' needs, perceptions and sources of health information. Methods: Four hundred sixty‐nine high school students in Osijek, Croatia, participated in this study by answering a questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using basic frequency and non‐parametric statistical methods. Results: The most popular health topics identified by adolescents in our study were nutrition, diseases, depression, relationships, sexual intercourse and alcohol. Adolescents consider their parents the most reliable personal source of health information (72.0%), while they perceive the Internet as the main non‐personal source of health information (29.8%). Adolescents wish to get more education about health issues at school (54.4%). Significant gender differences were found in adolescents' needs, perceptions and sources of health information. Conclusions: It is important to provide adolescents with systematic institutional health education and improve health advisory services and library/information services to assist adolescents in locating health information and resolving their health related questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National Health Service (NHS) knowledge and library services in England are integrating digital advances into their systems and services. Health Education England (HEE) leads on the development of NHS library services. A key workstream focuses on (1) improving the infrastructure to enable discovery and management of digital knowledge resources; (2) collaborating with local teams to establish regional library management systems that are integrated with the new national discovery service for healthcare staff and learners. This article explores initiatives on resource discovery as well as the need for system‐wide partnership working to ensure that biomedical knowledge in computable form is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Low levels of health and digital literacy pose a significant barrier to using health information and accessing health services. A range of interventions are aimed at enhancing citizens' digital and health literacy skills. The education and life‐long learning needs of the knowledge and library services workforce are considered. Working with CILIP and higher education institutions, HEE delivers a range of educational offers through its Learning Academy. As Artificial Intelligence and automation are implemented in health systems, knowledge and library staff form a crucial bridge between technology and those who use it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With international health challenges, there are opportunities for collaboration between nations on health issues, including developing and sharing resources for teaching and learning. This article outlines collaboration across Scotland and England to develop a core resource for eLearning on health literacy. It describes the development of the resource with case studies of the implementation in Scotland and England, demonstrating the balance between shared development and tailored implementation. The eLearning was developed to increase awareness of NHS workforce and community partners, supplemented by training for NHS librarians and public health specialists to enable them to provide more tailored training on health literacy techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the experiences of Italian librarians taking part in an institutional project to produce a new general‐public‐oriented health web portal. The web portal was set up to provide verified and easily understandable health information, and to debunk health‐related fake news circulating on the internet. The different roles, knowledge and skills acquired in during the project this are discussed and show how the librarian's knowledge and skills were of fundamental importance for the success of the Web Portal. By collaborating with other professions new skills such as social media management, video creation and Search Engine Optimization were gained, which enhanced the information literacy role of the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A librarian led task force at the University of Tennessee Medical Center sought to evaluate their medical centre's health literacy attributes utilizing a widely used tool. This research ultimately led to the update of the tool. Objectives: To discuss the evaluation of health literacy attributes of health care organizations and detail the process of updating the Health Literacy Environment of Hospitals and Health Centers (HLEHHC) tool. Methods: Subsequent to utilizing the HLEHHC, the task force was invited to assist in updating the tool. A collaborative was formed between the original author and task force. The collaborative performed an extensive literature review focused on emerging health literacy issues, reviewed each section and formulated changes. Results: The collaborative update process yielded an improved instrument for assessing the extent to which a health care organization accommodates low health literacy patients. Discussion: Through editing, creating new questions and rearranging the format, the HLEHHC was improved and updated. Conclusion: The assessment conducted by the health literacy task force is helping shape changes in the organization. Medical librarians acted in leadership roles in the collaborative process of developing the new institutional assessment tool for health literacy (HLE2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Access to health information is critical for good health. However, residents of rural communities may face more difficulties in accessing health information than residents in rural areas. Problems may be structural, socio‐economic and cultural. Objectives: The study assessed sources and challenges concerning health information access and use among residents of five rural communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: Descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were elicited from forty respondents through focus group discussions (FGD). Elicited data were thematically analysed. Results: Several informal and primary information sources were often used. Residents used the radio to access health information, and they also visited hospitals/health centres, asked doctors, participated in health sensitisation programmes and consulted traditional herbalists. However, the barriers included financial problems, infrastructure problems (bad road network, unreliable electricity supplies), living far from health centres and finding suitable health information in their own language. These are individual and systemic/structural challenges. Discussion: The focus group participants were aware of the importance of reliable health information sources, but often had to use a mixture of sources. Traditional herbalists were valued sources (more available and affordable). Health literacy problems concern education and language. Conclusions: Service provision could be improved to make health information more efficient and effective for rural communities, by building on what works (e.g. health sensitisation programmes, radio programmes providing health education) and providing more multi‐lingual services. The study also confirmed the importance of evaluating traditional herbal medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health literacy is key to person‐centred, preventative healthcare and is both a societal and individual responsibility. This feature describes work undertaken by Health Education England, the Community Health and Learning Foundation and NHS Library and Knowledge Services to raise awareness among NHS staff and other key partners of the impact of low health literacy. It highlights a range of health literacy resources and ideas for developing and adapting these tools for remote delivery during and post‐pandemic. D.I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, Chandrani Maitra, with her supervisor, Prof. Jennifer Rowley, reports on her PhD research conducted at Manchester Metropolitan University. This research aimed to develop understanding of the benefits of, and the challenges associated with the use of social media to disseminate eye health information in deprived communities in India. Such communities typically have a low level of access to health information, as the result of poor literacy, poverty, lack of women's empowerment, cultural practices, society dynamics, and medical malpractice. This study used an intervention based on the social media platform, WhatsApp, to educate a group of women volunteers so that they were able to contribute to the management of the eye health of their family, friends, and neighbours. Interviews were conducted with deprived community members (DCMs), community healthcare advocates (CHAs) and, healthcare professionals (HCPs). The DCMs reported a number of benefits associated with their participation in the eye health intervention. CHAs and HCPs agreed that an extended roll out of the intervention had potential to deliver benefits, but expressed concerns that some of the ongoing social challenges facing deprived communities might act as barriers to progress. F.J. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for health science librarians. During this pandemic, librarians are playing an active role by increasing the public's awareness of the virus, maintaining document delivery services and providing research support. This paper uses the method of desktop analysis of the websites of selected library associations to identify the responses of health science librarians to the COVID‐19 pandemic. The study highlights significant initiatives taken by some health science librarians which can be replicated by others to meet the needs of library users in the COVID‐19 health crisis.J.M [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Regular Feature explores the role of health science librarians in the coronavirus pandemic. COVID‐19 has spread rapidly all over the world. All major cities around the globe are in lockdown. In Pakistan, the first case was diagnosed on 26 February 2020, and currently, there are more than 2039 diagnosed cases and 26 deaths as on 31 March 2020. Across the country, there are further 12 000 suspected cases. This will undoubtedly increase if precautionary measures are not taken. Pakistani universities, colleges and schools were in lockdown. The role of university librarians in this emergency included raising awareness through public health education, providing support to medical staff, researchers and providing ongoing traditional services to regular library patrons in Pakistan. The Regular Feature also provides links to useful resources. JM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world and often is a chronic long term disease. This calls for an expanded workforce to include non‐traditional health care providers. Objective: To determine effectiveness of a cancer information training project with clergy from selected rural Appalachian areas to improve comfort and willingness to work as part of the cancer health care team. Methods: Clergy were trained in the consumer health database of the National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus.gov. Exercises were required that were done using an iPad tablet with an online curriculum. They were also taught how to do a population health assessment of their particular area and develop a health ministry for their church. Results: Three key elements were confirmed that would enable replication of the pilot: access to medlineplus, programmed learning modules using mobile technology such as iPads, and staff support including librarians and medical staff. With these key elements, the cancer project is potentially replicable with other groups beyond clergy. Conclusion: Knowledge about population health, built on new awareness and topical health knowledge, and using new skills to identify relevant information and library resources, could open minds and enhance community support for preventive and medical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers the status of trends in value and impact research in health libraries and discusses how return on investment approaches such as social value analysis could be used. It uses an example, based on the Health Education England evaluation framework for health library and knowledge services, to outline how a theory of change can be developed. Health libraries now work more closely with health care staff and researchers in co‐creating value and impact for improving patient care. Therefore, collection of data to assess social value should be drawn not only from performance data already collected by libraries, but also data collection by and for the health care organisation on evaluation of care quality and professional competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health care library and knowledge services ( LKS) are now expected to contribute to the provision of Patient and Public Information ( PPI). The challenges of an ageing population, prevalence of long-term conditions and the encouragement of patients to self manage give added impetus. The Knowledge for Health care PPI Task and Finish Groups developed strategic partnerships with national organizations and produced a suite of resources to support LKS staff. Outputs include guidance, workshop materials, an Ideas Bank and Guide to NHS Choices. The work of the PPI Task and Finish groups will continue to support staff as they develop activities and evidence its impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this review was to uncover areas of competence which may lead to a baseline of skills for health librarians. A baseline could inform personal development plans for health librarians, criteria for job descriptions and curriculum for library and information science ( LIS) courses. Methods This research outlines existing competencies for librarians working in health care as defined by library associations, recent job descriptions and a mapping review of the library and information science literature. This is performed in the context of librarians working in the Irish health system with examples of practice drawn from the Irish experience. Results Ten areas of competence were found to be common to three of five library associations, which were also common to recent job descriptions. The literature reveals an ever changing working environment for librarians working in health with opportunities for new and evolving roles. Conclusions The challenge for librarians moving into these roles will be to stay relevant and to keep skills updated in a rapidly moving health and information environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Public access computing through computer kiosks placed in clinical and community settings may help bridge the digital health information divide. Objective The objective was to examine the current utilisation of computer based health information kiosks in diverse settings. Further, the objective was to examine the locations for health kiosks, kiosk features, application of theoretical framework in the design and development of health kiosks and the outcomes assessed. Methods A search was conducted using Pubmed and CINAHL with articles published from January 2005 to January 2012. The articles that focused on the use of computer based health information kiosks in community and clinical settings. Results The majority of the 31 articles included in this study were conducted in urban settings (90%; n = 28), clinical settings (58%; n = 18) and focused on child safety (19%; n = 6). Computer-based tailoring was utilised in majority of the studies (77%; n = 24). However, limited studies described the theoretical frameworks to facilitate this tailoring (42%; n = 13). Conclusions The results suggest that health information kiosks are a feasible medium to disseminate health information among various users in clinical and community settings, with high acceptance and satisfaction by users. Theoretical driven interventions are needed to examine long term impacts of health information kiosks especially in rural and underserved populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Providing insight into the developmental processes involved in building interventions is an important way to ensure methodological transparency and inform future research efforts. The objective of this study was to describe the development of a web portal designed to improve health literacy skills among the public. Methods The web portal was tailored to address three key barriers to obtaining information, using the conceptual frameworks of shared decision-making and evidence-based practice and based on explicit criteria for selecting the content and form of the intervention. Results The web portal targeted the general public and took the form of structured sets of tools. Content included: an introduction to research methods, help on how to find evidence-based health information efficiently based on the steps of evidence-based practice, an introduction to critical appraisal, information about patient participation rights in decision-making, and a decision aid for consultations. Conclusions The web portal was designed in a systematic and transparent way and address key barriers to obtaining and acting upon reliable health information. The web portal provides open access to the tools and can be used independently by health care users, or during consultations with health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background As the Internet is a source of information for many health consumers, there is a need to evaluate the information about prescription drugs provided on pharmaceutical manufacturers' web sites. Objectives Using a sample of pharmaceutical manufacturers' web sites for the treatment of menopause, the main objective of this study was to evaluate consumer-oriented information about benefits and risks of prescription drugs for the treatment of menopause provided on pharmaceutical web sites. Methods Pharmaceutical manufacturers' web sites for analysis were identified using a list of U.S. FDA-approved hormone therapies for the treatment of menopause. Results This study revealed substantial gaps in how benefits and risk information were presented on the web sites. Specifically, information about the benefits was prominent while risk information was incomplete and challenging to find. Further, references to the scientific literature to support claims advertised about prescription drug benefits were not provided. Conclusions Given the lack of scientific evidence to support claims of benefits and limited disclosure about risks, more information is needed for consumers to be able to weigh the benefits and risks of these treatments for menopause. Overall, these findings provide guidance for evaluating drug information provided on pharmaceutical web sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore through an interdisciplinary approach the potential to tailor health information on the basis of human information behaviour (HIB) on par with the results of basic physiological measurements of individuals' health. Methods: The data were collected at the baseline of a physical activity and diabetes prevention intervention with 72 prediabetic participants, conducted in Oulu, Finland, by the University of Oulu and Oulu Deaconess Institute in 2010. Body mass index (BMI), fitness classifications and glucose values were obtained from all prediabetic participants. The interest in, the search for and the use of information on nutrition, physical activity and diabetes were examined through a self-report questionnaire with a response rate of 95.8%. The data were analysed with the SPSS statistics 18 software. Results and conclusions: The study shows that information behaviour of prediabetic individuals differs according to their BMI and fitness level. Poor physical fitness classifications and high BMI values were associated with an increased desire to receive tailored information on nutrition and physical activity frequently. These results add knowledge on the types and preferred frequencies of tailored information. Because of the small sample size, the results should be validated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Somali Bantu refugees, with unique health information needs, created challenges for health and social service providers. Objectives: A service innovation was developed (i) to raise awareness, especially among local health and social service providers, about the Bantu refugees' presence in the community, their culture, and their information needs and (ii) to deliver needed health information, emphasizing child health, to the Bantu mothers in their homes. Methods: The project consisted of: (i) a community conference targeting local health and social service providers, describing the refugees' presence in the community, their culture, and information needs. (ii) Focus groups conducted with members of the Bantu population elicited additional information needs. (iii) Curriculum was developed based on identified needs, and (iv) the curriculum was delivered to the refugees in their homes. A clinical informationist and MP3 technology enhanced the project. Findings: Conference attendees' evaluation responses indicated improved understanding of Bantu culture. Focus groups' identification of health information needs provided a framework for the health education curriculum. A project website made educational materials available to other healthcare providers. Conclusions: The project raised awareness of the Bantus' presence, culture, and information needs. Identification of other unmet needs demonstrated that additional support for refugees is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on information literacy in higher education health courses. It states that the Darzi report, which promotes evidence-based practice in Great Britain's National Health Service, has encouraged information literacy in the health care field. It comments on enquiry-based learning in higher education and the need for undergraduates to have information literacy skills. It talks about the collaboration between faculty and librarians in information literacy development and how increased use of virtual learning environments gives librarians the opportunity to get involved with web-based collaborations of information literacy.

The article focuses on reflective practices in evidence-based information research. He states that the Medical Library Association's research policy statement calls for members to utilize reflective practice where the profession's evidence base is routinely utilized. He comments on the Stages of Change model concerning health education or promotion where healthcare providers attempt to initiate useful life change for a patient's benefit and the relation between reflective practice and evidence-based practice.

Objective: To document and describe the University of Zambia Medical library’s responses to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Methods: The methodology adopted was a case study approach combined with an analysis of the literature such as annual reports and official documents. This was augmented by personal reflections of the author having worked at the Medical Library. Results: The University of Zambia Medical library has over the years instituted and implemented HIV/AIDS information provision programmes that include the provision of information in various formats -- print or electronic and, in addition, capacity building in HIV/AIDS information literacy skills. Conclusion: A library’s social responsibility calls for it to be part of national responses to crises that arise in society. As HIV/AIDS has affected every aspect of Zambian society prevention, treatment, care and support there is an understanding that the library’s role should be using the cri tical and strategic resource at its disposal – information -- as part of their contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS. In this context, libraries should source, collect, organize and disseminate information on HIV/AIDS in a way that is easily accessible to researchers, HIV/AIDS programme implementation agencies and the ordinary public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing pressure on health libraries to provide access to electronic resources to their clientèle has witnessed the establishment of a number of initiatives in Canada’s provinces. Objectives: To provide a structured and descriptive account of Canadian initiatives that focus primarily on licensing health-related information to post-secondary education institutions, hospitals, libraries and related organisations in the health sector. Methods: Programmes were identified via communication with peers, an unpublished paper and the authors’ existing knowledge. This resulted in a survey of the programmes using an online questionnaire. Results: A total of seven programmes were identified. A descriptive account of their establishment, aim and function, governance, funding, resource selection and licensing is provided. Conclusions: Sharing out the cost of subscribing to electronic resources in the health sciences is a continued concern, as witnessed by continuing developments in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Access to a comprehensive public health index or database has been identified as problematic for health professionals. Public health literature contains many varied sources including reports, journal articles, and grey literature. Traditional biomedical databases such asmedline often do not meet the needs of public health workers and researchers. Aim/Methods: The aim of the study was to examine the unique content of theglobal health database, by comparing it to themedline database. Pre-determined terms were used as baseline comparators where controlled vocabulary definitions in each database were sufficiently matched. Retrieved results were stored and compared using EndNote libraries. Results: Results obtained from the terms used in the comparison study protocol suggest that theglobal health database holds a high proportion of unique records in comparison tomedline. The largest overlap of duplicates from theglobal health database perspective came from the coccidiomycosis results set which contained 70.5% of references retrieved from both databases. Analyzing the results from amedline perspective, the subject with the largest overlap was dengue, with a 43% overlap. Conclusion: The results of this study show that theglobal health database is complimentary tomedline in the subject areas of public health and global health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health authorities, hospitals, commercial enterprises, and mass media all deliver health and medical communication in different forms. With such a vast amount of biomedical and clinical information available, any action to ensure the spread of clinically relevant news items is welcome. Objectives: This paper tries to define a new role for health science librarians in improving medical communication and reporting. Methods: Literature relating to the health and medical reporting is analysed to identify major difficulties encountered by health communicators. Results: There are two areas where health science librarians can develop new roles in health communication: (i) supporting journalists and health communicators in selecting sources and understanding scientific papers, and (ii) directly translating scientific information into news items, supplying a list of products in this direction (i.e. targeted newsletters, media releases, news items). New skills and competencies needed to cope with the new roles are described in detail in a suggested academic curriculum for health communicators. Conclusions: A better understanding of the mass media's needs can provide much needed support in the field of health communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To systematically review the UK published literature on e-learning in the health workplace and to apply the findings to one of the most prolific UK e-learning initiatives in the health sector—the National Library for Health Facilitated Online Learning Interactive Opportunity (FOLIO) Programme. Methods: Sensitive searches were conducted acrossassia, Australian Education Index, British Education Index,cinahl, CSA Abstracts, Dissertation Abstracts, Emerald,eric,ibss, Index to Theses,lisa,medline, PsycInfo and Social Science Citation Index. Additional citations were identified from reference lists of included studies and of relevant reviews; citation tracking and contact with experts. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were coded and analysed using thematic analysis as described by Miles & Huberman ( Qualitative Data Analysis: A Sourcebook of New Methods. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1984). Results: Five broad themes were identified from the 29 included studies: (i) peer communication; (ii) flexibility; (iii) support; (iv) knowledge validation; and (v) course presentation and design. These broad themes were supported by a total of eleven sub-themes. Components from the FOLIO Programme were analysed and existing and proposed developments were mapped against each sub-theme. This provides a valuable framework for ongoing course development. Conclusion: Librarians involved in delivering and supporting e-learning can benefit from applying the findings from the systematic review to existing programmes, exemplified by the FOLIO Programme. The resultant framework can also be used in developing new e-learning programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the health education action plan devised by the National Health Service Education for Scotland. The plan, titled "Better Informed for Better Health and Care: An Informative Literacy Framework to Support Health Care in Scotland," recognizes the importance of producing and utilizing effective health information in order to make Scotland a healthier country. Some of the recommendations in the plan include developing a National Health Knowledge Network that would allow individuals to take greater control over their health and well-being. The document also provides a seven-step guideline on how to promote information literacy.

This article discusses the knowledge network to support the patient journey, which was introduced by the National Health Service (NHS) Education for Scotland in 2004. This network focuses on the need for coordinated knowledge support and knowledge-sharing among the many organizations and sectors involved in patient care. Partners in the knowledge network include NHS primary care, NHS 24, the NHS Acute Based Multidisciplinary Team, local authority, voluntary services, and patient/service users. Key elements of the network are discussed, which build on knowledge management in existing services and technical platforms.

The article discusses how globalization processes may affect health information personnel. The author notes how globalization has led to a global economy and global culture through the transmission of services and information and the creation of international organizations and policies. She suggests that international organizations such as the World Bank and the World Health Organization will affect international health governance through the influence of health librarians. Information technology may improve health education and communication of health information. Globalization has led to outsourcing of health care services such as information processing. Medical tourism and physician mobility have increased.

Background and objective: With the advent of an interprofessional approach to delivering health care in today's health care systems, should health care professionals be educated together? Supported by policy-making circles worldwide, interprofessional education is accumulating a research literature at an exponential rate. Using one-word search terms in the MEDLINE query box for scoping this body of literature, we obtained an unmanageable number of articles (342 338 in all fields). The objective of our study was to outline an efficient specific query. Methods: We created 1072 phrasal search terms consisting of a prefix, an adjective and a noun. Of those, 66 were prolific for the whole indexed period (1950–2006). Results: Only 2510 citations have the search term in all MEDLINE fields; of those 2049 were in title/abstract and 652 in title alone. From the 1950s, the citations were published at a slow rate, but the rate then exploded during the decade 1995 to 2006. The combination of prefixes ‘inter’ and ‘multi’ with the adjectives ‘professional’, ‘disciplinary’ and ‘shared’, and the nouns ‘education’, ‘learning’ and ‘training’ may retrieve almost all the relevant citations, while the terms ‘collaborative’ and ‘common’ may retrieve mainly irrelevant ones. The adjective ‘cohesive’ and nouns ‘practice’ and ‘role’ should be also considered. Conclusion: Phrasal search terms highly increased the relevance of MEDLINE-retrieved citations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a new column which will explore the way different regions and nation states are dealing with the challenges of managing health information. The intention is to draw together trends which are relevant to both health science librarians and health informatics professionals. This inaugural piece maps out the territory. It provides a rationale for the column, along with evidence of current initiatives to articulate a global perspective on the application of communication and information technologies to health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the health care and the access to health information in the kingdom of Bhutan. The article describes the health care infrastructure, which includes the national Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, and discusses the role of traditional medicine. According to the article, in Bhutan access to medical and health information is restricted since Internet access is expensive and there are no paid journal subscriptions at the country's health libraries, which are all located in the capital city of Thimphu.

Introduction: Major changes in health care, within an information- and technology-rich age, are impacting significantly on health professionals and upon their education and training. Health information professionals—in both the National Health Service (NHS) and higher education (HE) contexts—are consequently developing their roles, skills and partnerships to meet the needs of flexible education and training. This article explores one facet of this—supported online learning and its impact on role development. Methodology: A case study approach was taken, aiming to explore how academics, health information professionals and learning technologists are developing supported online learning to explicitly address the e-literacy and information needs of health students within the context of NHS frameworks for education. This was contextualized by a literature review. Results: The case study explores and discusses three dynamics—(i) The use of supported online learning tools by future health-care professionals throughout their professional training to ensure they have the appropriate e-literacy skills; (ii) the use of supported online learning by current health professionals to enable them to adapt to the changing environment; (iii) the development of the health information professional, and particularly their role within multi-disciplinary teams working with learning technologists and health professionals, to enable them to design and deliver supported online learning. Conclusions: The authors argue that, in this specific case study, health information professionals are key to the development of supported online learning. They are working successfully in collaboration and their roles are evolving to encompass learning and teaching activities in a wider context. There are consequently several lessons to be drawn in relation to professional education and role development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The completion of the Human Genome Project, and recent breakthroughs in identifying the genes both directly responsible for and contributing to the severity of specific diseases and disabilities in humans offer great potential for future health care. Aim: The aim of the paper is to inform the health information community of these developments in order to foster debate over their wide-reaching implications. Methods: The article outlines recent research in this area and explains how our growing understanding opens the way for improved diagnosis of disease, detection of possible predisposition to specific diseases, the interaction between genetics and environmental aspects such as diet, as well as enabling gene therapy and preventative actions. This new knowledge also opens the way for the use of pharmacogenetic information to enhance the efficacy of pharmaceuticals and to avoid toxic reactions. Results: These advances have significant social, legal and ethical implications. Most countries have limited legislative control over the use and protection of genetic information about individuals. Conclusion: There is a role for health information professionals to play in promoting wider public knowledge of genetic research and its implications, in fostering public debate on key issues, and in seeking clearer policies in the health sector concerning the use of genetic information about individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The purpose of this study is to determine the degree of satisfaction of users of the Cancer Information Point section of the Library for Patients (CIP-LP), active since 1998 at the National Cancer Institute of Aviano, Italy. The CIP-LP is based on a skilled intermediary, adequate informative material and a specific location, within the Scientific Library of the Institute. Patients and methods: A survey was developed to assess service functionality and quality from the users’ viewpoint. During a 6-month period, a questionnaire was mailed to 194 patients and relatives who previously used the CIP-LP; 113 (58%) were returned and processed. Results: Of the respondents, 91% were pleased with the CIP-LP and 95% would recommend the service to other people. The information obtained contributed to a clearer understanding of the illness and treatment (45% as first answer) and a better control of the situation (33%). Fifty-one per cent evaluated the information received as ‘good’, 42%‘excellent’ and 4%‘of sufficient quality’. Conclusion: This survey shows the appreciation and usefulness in the users’ perception of a specific hospital library for cancer patients and their relatives, providing an information service supplementary to doctor–patient communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and costs of providing information for patient care via librarian-mediated searches and information-skills training. Methods: A questionnaire survey to library staff and health professionals in the North West. Data was collected on perceptions of services, satisfaction and service usage, allowing a cost analysis to be undertaken. Statistical data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (spss). Results: Using satisfaction and use of skills as outcome measures, both mediated searches and information skills training are effective. A breakdown of costs per type of training session and literature search is provided. Cost-effectiveness is dependent on whether costs are viewed from a library or trust point of view. Providing information skills training does not reduce the volume of mediated-search requests. Conclusions: No one method of providing information for health professionals is more effective or cost-effective than another. A decision about which services to provide cannot be made on the basis of effectiveness or costs alone; the views of library staff and the health professionals they serve should also be taken into account. A proactive approach and targeting training towards those who are most likely to benefit may be an appropriate way forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: Access to health information is important for the well-being of people living in the community after spinal cord injury (SCI). In order to design appropriate information interventions, it is critical first to understand the information sources typically used. The goal of this study therefore is to identify the information-seeking practices of this group. Sample and methods: A sample of 207 individuals living in the community following traumatic spinal cord injury were surveyed regarding their ongoing information needs and practices for seeking information. Results: The results reveal that respondents have unmet information needs, despite the fact that they typically access information through a variety of channels. SCI specialists are the most commonly used source, although they are viewed as relatively inaccessible. By contrast, the Internet (used by a relatively high proportion of respondents) is viewed as comparatively accessible, although there are some concerns about the quality of information found there. Conclusions: These survey results point to the need for an information source that is accessible and delivers high quality information. Although respondents use a variety of information sources, none meets this ideal profile. Information professionals should consider this gap in the design of information interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the inclusion of alerting service on health topics for medical journalists. A good journalist has to be able to access the latest information, analyse and filter it, assessing its quality and authoritativeness, while dealing with ever-increasing sources of information. The alerting service was designed using predefined criteria. Medical journals were selected on the basis of their impact factor. The selection of papers was discretional or based on their editorial comments. Various publisher's press alerts where available. Articles were selected when they had received an editorial comment or had been mentioned in the original press alerts from publishers. The service was expected to be objective, authoritative, and to provide items with real news value.

The article provides a study on health information practice. It illustrates the usefulness of such studies to health information practitioners that is being published in the general library literature. Through reading and appraising the studies provide findings that can be validated through local surveys and other styled investigations, it helps one to gain a more holistic view of issues that one confronts in a day to day management and it can also give a methodology that has been tested and processed.

Numerous studies deal with the use of computers and the Internet in the health sector. Most of these studies show an increase in the use of the new technologies in searching for medical information—particularly by patients—but these uses remain very heterogeneous and depend on the studies. The aim of this work was to consider the use of computers by French general practitioners (GPs) and to analyse the impact that computerization could have on their information-seeking behaviour. The nature of the approach used is qualitative using interviews. Most of the GPs interviewed are equipped with a computer. The policies of the government were supposed to give financial incentives for GPs to start using computers for the management of administrative procedures, but many physicians do not know how to use the new tools properly. Their computers are, in most cases, underused for searching for medical information. Most of the time, the Internet sources are thought to be unreliable. This study sheds light on the use of computers and the preferences of GPs in searching for medical information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a project that provides service for general practitioners concerning health and medical news published in the lay press. The project involves scanning the top newspapers and their medical supplements, and the main women's magazines every day. The topics are selected for their importance and clinical implications.

Aim. To examine the impact of information-skills training on the academic studies of student midwives. Objectives include ascertaining whether student confidence increases, learning experiences are enhanced and academic standards are improved. Methods. A student midwives’ discussion group at a higher education institution, plus an in-depth interview with the students’ course leader. Results. Students reported increased confidence in using library and information resources. Appropriate and timely information-skills training embedded into health-studies curricula can lead to students becoming independent and lifelong learners, as well as improving the standard of their academic work. Conclusion. Information skills for health-studies curricula in higher education can be developed and delivered collaboratively by both library and academic staff. This can have very positive effects on both student perceptions and experiences and standards of teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides information on the union catalog of health-sciences journals in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) of the World Health Organization. The primary function of periodical union catalog or union list is the collecting of journal entries for the holdings of more than one library. The development of a union list requires a number of requires a number of decisions such as the libraries to include: the completeness of bibliographic entries, the amount and type of holdings, and the format of entries.

This paper describes the Judge project, the aim of which was to explore the need for health website quality assessment guidelines for the voluntary sector. Such guidelines would enable health consumers to assess the quality of health sites and assist support groups to produce their own good quality sites. The project was a partnership between the Information Management Research Institute, School of Informatics, Northumbria University and Contact a Family. It was supported by the Health Foundation. The views of health consumers and support group members and workers were obtained by focus groups (35 attendees) and questionnaires (55 responses). They were asked questions about quality issues and concerns about Internet health information and any help they needed with judging the quality of health websites. The results supported the need for guidelines. The guidelines were written to reflect the requirements of health consumers and support groups articulated from the focus group and questionnaire data. They were then disseminated via a website. There is a need to improve communication and information exchange between health consumers and professionals and official organizations; publicise support groups to patients and carers; set up local Webs of Trust, linking together voluntary and statutory organizations within a locality. Professionals and official organizations in the public sector should make information provision to patients and health consumers a priority. Information provision should be embedded in the clinical setting via guidelines, protocols and administrative structures. Professionals should be trained in the role of information and how to provide it in appropriate ways. Support groups should use the Judge guidelines to assist them in producing good quality websites. Support groups should promote the Judge guidelines to health consumers, to help them make their own quality judgement about health-information websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the Australian health librarianship with regard to the need for a system-wide approach to continuing professional development (CPD). Some of the drivers for change in the health industry are discussed as well as the need for integration with national ehealth direction and strategies in the trend towards service models. These service models are based on multidisciplinary teams, knowledge management, and clinical librarian/information professional roles in various contexts of the health industry.

The table of contents for the December 2007 issue of "Health Information & Libraries Journal" is presented.

This article reports on a recent project funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) in Great Britain. The project, Learning for a Healthier Nation, was funded as part of the JISC Exchange for Learning program. The aim of the project is to enhance the delivery of health-care courses offered in education colleges and universities by integrating relevant electronic resources into course delivery methods and learning activities.