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Medical librarianship is changing in health care environments. Since 1996, by which time the standards that determine how hospitals acquire accreditation changed, many hospitals have been acquiring accreditation without a qualified medical librarian on site. For that reason, it has become even more important that health care professionals, doctors, nurses, and other clinicians learn to access and evaluate quality information as an integral part of their academic training. Medical clinicians now must begin their careers with strong research skills. These skills must be attained during their academic matriculation, and studies in the field of librarianship have shown that departmental outreach hours are an extremely effective way to promote library services to university students and faculty. Other methods, such as technology applications, are useful but have their limitations. This paper reviews current literature on the vital importance of in-person outreach to future health care professionals and illustrates these insights with a discussion of my personal experiences as a health sciences librarian at Georgia State University. (Contains 1 figure.)

Background and Purpose: Falling among older adults is common and can cause chronic health complications. Fear of falling, a lasting concern about falling that can lead an individual to avoid activities he or she can perform, is strongly associated with falling and fall risk. Although White older adults fall more often, Black older adults have more fall risk factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that explain fear of falling and differences between White and Black community-dwelling older adults in fear of falling, balance confidence, and fall risk factors. Methods: Using a cross-sectional, retrospective design, 84 community-dwelling older adults (mean age [SD] = 69.0 [5.2], range: 55-80; White, n = 37, 44%; Black, n = 47, 56%, M/F = 20/64) were assessed. Assessments were conducted in a laboratory for human studies. Fall history and risk factors, and subjective fear of falling, were collected. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) score, preferred, backward, and fast Gait Speed, Short Form-12 Physical and Mental Component Scores, fear of falling rating scale, and demographics questionnaires were administered. Analyses included a proportional odds logistic regression model to examine which factors predicted ABC score and which factors were associated with subjective fear of falling, 1-way analysis of variance for continuous variables, the Fisher exact test for categorical variables, and the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test for ordinal variables. Results: Black participants had significantly fewer years of education (P =.007), lower MoCA scores (P =.002), and slower fast gait speed (P =.032) than White participants. Black participants reported less subjective fear of falling (P =.043). In the final ABC model (Akaike information criterion 208.26), lower ABC scores were predicted by White race, slower preferred and fast gait speeds, and worse Short Form-12 Mental Composite Scores. Discussion: Despite Black participants demonstrating typical characteristics of higher fall risk including lower cognitive scores, slower gait speed, and lower ABC scores, Black participants reported fewer falls. Understanding racial differences is an important factor in fear of falling and balance confidence. Conclusion: Reasons for racial differences should be examined further in fear of falling and balance confidence to facilitate the development of patient-centered falls prevention physical therapy programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about generational differences and similarities in beliefs about addiction. Science Gallery Atlanta (SGA) integrates science and art to approach challenging topics, like addiction, with empathy. Intergenerational communication about addiction could positively impact older and younger adults. This study investigated perceptions of addiction among older (60+ years) and younger (18–26 years) adults through intergenerational dialogue on addiction-focused art, offered through SGA’s HOOKED exhibition. This exploratory pilot study recruited ten randomized older-younger dyads who received a mediated tour of HOOKED. Addiction attitudes were assessed pre- and post-tour with the Belief in a Just World and Addiction Belief Scale questionnaires, concurrent interviews, and focus groups. Qualitative data were recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. Thematic analysis revealed younger and older adults were equally concerned with addiction-produced waste and technology addiction. Generational differences emerged regarding social media and drug-induced euphoria. Across age groups, participants scored similarly in their beliefs about justice for others and self. Post-tour, young adults were more likely to view addiction as a disease rather than a choice (p = 0.05). Art-based intergenerational communication may increase empathy. Intergenerational bridging may help young adults see addiction as a disease and older adults understand behavioral addictions. Emergent themes illuminate generational differences and similarities in addiction beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a protocol for virtual and in-person walking groups for older adults with neurodegenerative diseases and addresses the decline in physical activity and social connectivity during the pandemic. Physical activity, specifically moderate-intensity walking, has been shown to have multiple health benefits for older adults. This methodology was created during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to lower physical activity levels and social isolation in older adults. Both the in-person and virtual classes utilize technology such as fitness tracking apps and video platforms. Data are presented from two groups of older adults with neurodegenerative disease: people with prodromal Alzheimer's disease and people with Parkinson's disease. Participants in the virtual classes were screened for balance impairments before the walk, and any person deemed at risk for falls was not eligible to participate virtually. As COVID vaccines became available and restrictions were lifted, in-person walking groups became feasible. Staff and caregivers were trained in balance management, roles/responsibilities, and delivering walking cues. Both walks, virtual and in-person, consisted of a warm up, a walk, and a cool down, and posture, gait, and safety cues were given throughout. Measures of the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) were taken pre-warm up, post-warm up, and at 15 min, 30 min, and 45 min time points. Participants also used a walking application (app) on their phones to record the distance walked and the number of steps taken. The study showed a positive correlation between HR and RPE in both groups. The participants in the virtual group rated the walking group favorably in terms of improving their quality of life during a period of social isolation and contributing to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The methodology shows a safe and feasible way to implement virtual and in-person walking groups for older adults with neurological diseases.