Health Sciences Interest Group

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Charge: An opportunity for academic librarians with health sciences responsibilities to have a place in ACRL to network, share information, ask questions, and work on special projects relevant to the academic health sciences.
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  • 1.  Question - Small Exercises to Build Skills Relevant to Medical Librarians

    Posted Aug 17, 2024 03:30 PM

    Hi ACRL Health Sciences

    What are some small exercises to build skills relevant to Medical Librarian (for someone who is in process of finishing formal studies)?



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    Bryan Gonzalez
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  • 2.  RE: Question - Small Exercises to Build Skills Relevant to Medical Librarians

    Posted Aug 18, 2024 07:19 PM

    Hi Bryan, 

    If you are interested in working in a medical library – some ideas for skills – 1. Become familiar with different databases (most medical libraries have these) – CINAHL, AccessMedicine databases, UpToDate, PubMed/PubMedCentral --- these are a few medical related resources --- many more exist – look at what you have access to. These databases have "help" links you can read to learn about the database. 

    2. Start learning about Evidence Based Practice (EBP) and using PICO to create research questions. Locate a few articles on these topics that catch your eye.  3. Start to become familiar with different journal titles that are health science focused 4. Related to EBP creating detailed search strings for medical research can be very helpful because you can help faculty/ researchers. 5. Most libraries have Research guides on topics -- many use LibGuides by Springshare. If you go to the Springshare LibGuide Community  you can locate great guides from various schools -- sharing information and resources.  LibGuides Community

    Maybe you have seen this already – you might find interesting --- Using PubMed in Evidence-Based Practice Training Course  https://www.nlm.nih.gov/oet/ed/pubmed/pubmed_in_ebp/index.html

    Best wishes,

    Mary Rickelman, MLIS, AHIP

    AdventHealth University



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    Mary Rickelman
    Reference & Instruction Librarian
    AdventHealth University
    She/Her/Hers
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Question - Small Exercises to Build Skills Relevant to Medical Librarians

    Posted Aug 19, 2024 08:07 AM

    Hi Bryan, 

    I would echo Mary in her suggestions. Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) / Evidence-based Practice (EBP) is pretty foundational to all of health sciences, and is often where information literacy instruction comes in. I would also recommend knowing what systematic reviews and evidence syntheses projects are, and where you can go to get your questions answered about them (because you will get questions about them).

    Medical Librarians used to be pretty active on Twitter until the site was bought, and now the community is a bit more scattered. Many ended up on Bluesky, a few on Mastodon, and many in the medlibs-land Discord (join link for anyone interested: https://discord.gg/cr6f3WjT ). Full disclosure, I am a server mod. 

    One thing I'm trying to do in my own practice as a librarian is make as many resources I created or adapted available for others to use as I can. Here are a couple things you could look through / adapt as you see fit: 

    • Research Discipline Skeletons - https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/faculty_publications/2939/
      • a structured research discipline skeleton created to help librarians establish an introductory knowledge of how to research in a discipline in which they have no formal training.
    • Joining Rounds as a Clinical Librarian: Resources, Templates, and Other Considerations - https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/VUMGS
      • a collection of resources for clinical librarians new to rounding at the point of patient care
    • Systematic Review(ish) Assignments: Learning Objectives for a Successful Classroom - https://osf.io/gphyr/
      • A resource for librarians to provide instruction to faculty members on systematic review assignments. Includes workshop slides, a reference Wiki, and SR assignment learning goals and corresponding assignments.
      • This was co-developed with the wonderful Anna Ferri. 

    Additionally, all Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) trainings are available for free. If you want to register for a virtual course or a live webinar to receive a CE, you will need to create an account (free). Otherwise past webinars are available on their YouTube Channel. 

    I hope this helps! 

    Jenn 



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    Jennifer Monnin
    Health Sciences Scholarly Engagement Librarian
    West Virginia University
    304-293-1922
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Question - Small Exercises to Build Skills Relevant to Medical Librarians

    Posted Aug 20, 2024 09:09 PM

    Bryan, I would argue that technical skills need to be supplemented by public service skills to be a successful librarian. Specifically,  we need

    • customer service skills
    • communication skills-both written and verbal/oral
    • the ability to conduct reference interviews
    • teamwork skills
    • instructional skills-both planning and delivery.

    State and provincial library organizations will usually offer training in these skills. LinkedIn Learning is another useful resource.



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    Nancy R Curtis
    Liaison Librarian for Chemistry and Physics
    Boston College
    She/Her/Hers,Honorifics: [none]/Ms.
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    Original Message