共找到 20 条结果
The integration of literature and the humanities into medical education offers numerous benefits for both students and the broader community. Engaging with literary texts encourages the development of empathy, critical thinking, emotional awareness, and communication skills, all essential for a more humanistic and socially responsive medical practice. Additionally, initiatives that bring together students and local residents through shared cultural experiences help strengthen the university's connection with the surrounding community and promote mutual understanding. The Book club was created at the medical school in Caicó (RN, Brazil), as a space to explore diverse literary works beyond the health sciences. The Book Club was approved as an extension event and is promoted in Escola Multicampi de Ciências Médicas do Rio Grande do Norte (EMCM) by the Pro-Rectory of Extension from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) situated in Caicó city (RN, Brazil). It has a multidisciplinary team of students, teachers and technical staff. Six literary works were selected based on the alignment with the club's educational goals, particularly the potential to stimulate critical reflection on themes such as grief, racism, gender, and social justice. Registration took place through the Integrated Academic Activities Management System, and the monthly meetings were held in the Medical School auditorium. Participants received pedagogical support via social networks, club app, reading planner and newsletter. With 22 participants, including 8 community members and 14 medical students, the Book Club explored perspectives such as gender, racism, grief, trauma and colonialism. The predominance of medical students highlights academic interest and institutional support in extension projects, while low community adherence points to the need for new engagement strategies. The analysis of followers on Instagram reveals a significant participation of the local population, especially among women, but also highlights a gap in the presence of men and adolescents. This demonstrates the importance of a more inclusive and diverse approach to attracting different audiences. The Book Club at the public Medical School, by stimulating cognitive and human skills through literature, enriches academic training and strengthens the connection between academia and the community.
Predatory journal articles do not undergo rigorous peer review and so their quality is potentially lower. Citing them disseminates the unreliable data they may contain and may undermine the integrity of science. Using citation analysis techniques, this study investigates the influence of predatory journals in the health sciences. The twenty-six journals in the "Medical Sciences" category of a known predatory publisher were selected. The number of articles published by these journals was recorded based on the information from their websites. The "Cited References" search function in Web of Science was used to retrieve citation data for these journals. Of the 3,671 articles published in these predatory journals, 1,151 (31.4%) were cited at least once by 3,613 articles indexed in Web of Science. The number of articles that cited articles published in predatory journals increased significantly from 64 in 2014 to 665 in 2022, an increase of 10-fold in nine years. The citing articles were published by researchers from all over the world (from high-, middle-, and lower-income countries) and in the journals of traditional and open access publishers. Forty-three percent (1,560/3,613) of the citing articles were supported by research funds. The content from articles published in predatory journals has infiltrated reputable health sciences journals to a substantial extent. It is crucial to develop strategies to prevent citing such articles.
Previous research has found bullying present across the library profession, with documented instances in school, public, and university literature, but not in academic medical and hospital library literature. This study aims to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying among academic medical and hospital librarians. An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the Medical Library Association, the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries, and the Association of College & Research Librarians Health Sciences Interest Group containing the Short Negative Acts Questionnaire. Quantitative analysis was conducted using the Real Statistics Resource Pack software (Release 8.9.1). One-hundred eighteen survey responses met inclusion criteria. 49.2% of the sample met the threshold for self-identifying as victims of workplace bullying. This was significantly higher than the prevalence among the general librarian population (40.1%) in 2017 (p = 0.029) and consistent with findings in 2022 (51.8%; p = 0.31). More participants perceived themselves as not experienced bullying (69%) than the prevalence rate found. Those who perceived themselves as victims identified colleagues as the most frequent perpetrators (35%), followed immediate superiors (22%) and other superiors/managers within the organization (25%). This study showed nearly half (49.2%) of academic medical and hospital librarians included in the sample experience bullying. These findings highlight the need for an increased understanding of bullying behaviors, education on prevention, and for library leaders to develop interventions to mitigate bullying in their institutions.
In 2023, JJ Pionke became President of the Midwest Chapter of the Medical Library Association (MWCMLA). He determined that for his presidential year, he would form a task force to determine the accessibility levels of the chapter and remediate accessibility issues as appropriate. To accomplish the accessibility audit of the MWCMLA, Pionke formed an Accessibility Task Force that was time limited to one year. Task force meetings were held once a month to keep people accountable and to share out progress and requests for assistance. The task force was broken up into four teams: annual meeting, policy, social media, and website. Task force members could be on more than one team. The goals of each team were generally the same: what are other organizations doing, what do we have already if anything, and develop best practices/policy/etc. as needed. The teams fulfilled their mandate by creating best practices/guidelines/policies documents. Some accessibility remediation was needed for the chapter website. The task force's findings and materials were shared out among the MWCMLA as well as passed on to the presidents of the other chapters, many of whom had expressed interest in the results.
In our editorial in the January/April 2023 issue of the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA), we spoke of the challenges we faced when we took on the co-lead editor roles. At the end of that editorial, we stated our intention to get the publishing schedule back on track and to finally tackle other projects. And while it took us some time to report it, we are pleased to share that, in the publication year of 2024, JMLA resumed its regular quarterly publishing schedule.
Through a content analysis of public websites, this paper provides a centralized and summarized picture of evidence synthesis (ES) service characteristics at academic libraries and medical schools and centers in the United States in the mid-2020s. Our team identified 116 institutions classified in the 2021 Carnegie Classification as R1, R2, or Medical Schools and Centers that had an ES service. These services were coded for service characteristics. Using frequency and comparison tables, we answered the following research questions: What are the common structures and characteristics of ES services, within and independent of Carnegie Classification of Research Activity? Is there any relationship between Carnegie Classification of Research Activity and Size & Setting and characteristics of ES services? We found that services often used tiers to delineate between services offered, with higher tiers requiring more responsibilities from the library or information professional. Some universities and medical schools limit librarian involvement with ES projects based on user role (student, faculty, researcher, etc.) or user affiliation with a college or department. Librarian acknowledgment or authorship are common in return for engagement in ES projects. Fees and Memoranda of Understanding were uncommon but do exist at some institutions. Librarians seeking to create or update their ES service can benefit from this 'data snapshot,& as it will allow them to see the service elements under consideration by other institutions and offer ideas for their own services. Overall, we found that there were more similarities than differences between basic ES service structures (e.g. tier amounts/categories, presence of fees, etc.), independent of classification type or size setting. We recommend that librarians utilize this paper and the associated data in order to identify which institutional elements are important in their context for ideas in improving their ES service.
This case report details an exploratory instructional session for dental students led by librarian-instructors at the University at Buffalo. Using historical source materials from the Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection, an hour-long session was developed to introduce year-one dental students to the history of their profession and its ongoing collaboration with important clinical populations. At the request of course faculty, the University at Buffalo's Dental Liaison Librarian, History of Medicine Curator, and History of Medicine Archivist were invited to develop and lead a session on the history of dentistry for a first-year course, Profession, Practice, and Community Dentistry (PDO 801). A core feature of this course is the introduction of students to eight underserved dental patient populations-referred to as "communities of focus." To supplement student learning, library staff utilized the holdings of the Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection to bring together stories, artifacts, and printed materials that spoke not only to the history of the profession, but also to the history of the communities of focus. Thought prompts were developed to guide students during a textual analysis activity that analyzed representative materials. Overall, this interdisciplinary collaboration provided the opportunity to develop and implement a syllabus-informed historical instructional session that offered targeted insights into dentistry's past. Through guided discussions, hands-on exploration, and textual analysis of historic materials, instructors worked to inspire and educate participating dental students as they progress further along their path as providers of patient-forward care.
Numerous studies have emphasized the crucial role of library resources in improving educational outcomes. However, there is a significant gap in research on how vocational medical students, a key group in the healthcare workforce, utilize these resources. This gap in the research highlights the need to further investigate the unique challenges and factors influencing library resource utilization in vocational medical students. One hundred and seventeen vocational medical students from a medical vocational college were assessed what influenced their library resource usage. An online survey was conducted to collect data on usage patterns, satisfaction with library resources, and satisfaction with self-reported retrieval abilities. The sample included 48 males and 69 females, with an average age of 19.1±0.7 years. Of the participants, 38.5% (45 students) reported effective library resource utilization. Lasso regression and logistic regression analyses identified two key predictors: satisfaction with library's space capacity (OR 4.26, 95% CI 1.438~12.622) and satisfaction with resource retrieval ability (OR 7.362, 95% CI 1.311~41.341). ROC analysis revealed a high predictive value, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.866 (95% CI 0.796~0.936). This study identified satisfaction with library's space capacity and satisfaction with resource retrieval ability as key factors influencing library resource utilization by vocational medical students. To enhance library resource utilization, targeted strategies such as strengthening library infrastructure and improving students' information literacy should be considered.
Fulfilling a recognized need in data skills training for academic librarians, the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program collaborated to enhance academic library workers& skills in biomedical and public health data, as well as their library's research capacity, through the awareness and use of the All of Us Researcher Workbench. The All of Us Data Training and Engagement Program for Academic Libraries (ALP) blended professional development training, hands-on learning, and peer-to-peer networking that focused on increasing knowledge of the All of Us Researcher Workbench. Activities were designed to build institution-wide, interdisciplinary awareness and interest in using the All of Us Researcher Workbench. A series of ongoing activities ensured sustained skill-building and collaboration, and included training for R, a program language used for statistical computing and data visualization. Program activities were intentionally designed to help grow institutional research capacity, enhance skills in biomedical and public health data, and promote meaningful use of the Researcher Workbench to campus communities. The ALP helped participants overcome barriers to data access and improve research infrastructure and successfully empowered 115 library professionals to leverage the All of Us Researcher Workbench for meaningful biomedical and public health research. Measured outcomes validate the success of the program and demonstrate how the ALP has positioned participating institutions for long-term success in biomedical and public health research. Institutions can build upon the foundation established through this case report to advance equitable, data-driven health research across academic landscapes.
This profile offers a portrait of Heather Nadean Holmes, MLIS, AHIP, 2025-2026 Medical Library Association (MLA) President, as a leader defined by authenticity, courage, and deep commitment to the profession. Holmes, known for her candor and dedication to the profession, brings a career rooted in service, gained from her work in hospital, academic, and association environments, to the presidency. Her professional journey reflects a sustained commitment to evidence-based practice, research, and elevating librarians as essential partners in health care, education, and discovery. Holmes is widely recognized for her work as a clinical medical librarian and her national leadership in developing the MLA Research Agenda. Colleagues describe her as a truth-teller who leads with integrity, sets clear boundaries, and consistently uses her platform to support others, especially early- and mid-career professionals. Her presidency focuses on inclusivity, transparency, and member engagement during a significant transition for both the Association and the profession. Beyond titles and accomplishments, this biography captures Holmes&s humanity. Her resilience, mentorship, humor, and unapologetic passions, including her love of K-pop, are highlighted. Together, these qualities portray a president who leads with conviction, empathy, and joy.
The Early Career Librarians Initiative of the South Central Chapter of the Medical Library Association (ECLI) offered a webinar series that addressed topics of interest to new professionals such as networking, goal setting, and salary negotiation. Additionally, the ECLI assessed participant feedback on the series through a program evaluation survey. ECLI partnered with the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM), Region 3, to offer six webinars over the course of two years. Attendees were asked to complete a survey. Quantitative results were analyzed, and qualitative free-text responses were thematically coded. A total of 567 people attended the webinars, and 154 completed the survey. Four major themes emerged as the most useful aspects of the webinar series: practical tips, encouragement, and real-life experience. Early career librarians often feel overwhelmed and are interested in guidance on career planning and building professional soft skills. This highly attended webinar series and positive evaluation feedback, demonstrates the value of providing accessible online professional development opportunities for early career and transitioning librarians, offering valuable information and support in key areas of need.
The authors sought to develop and validate a search filter to retrieve research about acute mental health concerns during public health emergencies. They did so as a response to a recommendation from a previously published paper on searching for evidence in emergency contexts. The definition of acute mental health was adapted from the DSM-5 and the DynaMed entries on acute stress and posttraumatic stress disorder. The definition of public health emergencies was adapted from the Canadian Medical Protective Association. The authors retrieved systematic reviews on mental health concerns pertaining to people in the community and healthcare workers during public health emergencies from MEDLINE. The authors formulated gold standard sets for each population group using articles included in these reviews. The authors then separated the articles into development and validation sets. Keywords and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms from the title and abstracts in the Ovid records in the development sets were used to formulate the filter. The filter was tested via the relative recall method using the validation sets. The authors then tested the filter for precision by conducting MEDLINE (Ovid) searches for the following topics for acute mental health: (i) children/adolescents and earthquakes; (ii) children/adolescents and Ebola outbreaks; (iii) healthcare workers and earthquakes; and (iv) healthcare workers and Ebola outbreaks. The MEDLINE filter demonstrated 100% recall against the people in the community validation set and 98% recall against the healthcare worker validation set. The filter demonstrated the following percentages for the precision tests: (i) 94% for children/adolescents and earthquakes; (ii) 81% for children/adolescents and Ebola outbreaks; (iii) 81% for healthcare workers and earthquakes; and (iv) 79% for healthcare workers and Ebola outbreaks. The authors developed a validated search filter that could be used to find evidence related to acute mental health concerns in public health emergencies. The authors recommend that researchers adapt and modify the search filter to reflect the unique mental health issues of their population groups.
To support evidence synthesis and clinical searching, a team of librarians developed and validated infant age (birth to 23 months) search hedges for PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and Medline (OVID). We developed four sensitive hedges by selecting terms that refer to infants. Three of the hedges had identical MeSH terms and keywords but used different field tags, and the fourth was a simple keyword hedge. We compared our hedges to the built-in MeSH-based infant filter. We used relative recall calculations to validate each hedge's performance against a gold standard reference set. In PubMed the similarly structured hedges performed in a range of 83.2%-83.8% sensitivity and 88.2%-89.7% specificity. The simple keyword hedge performed with an 83.5% sensitivity and 89.7% specificity. The filter generated a 70.1% sensitivity and 96.2% specificity. Similarly, in Ovid Medline, the set of similar hedges performed in a range of 82.9%-83.6% sensitivity and 88.1%-89.4% specificity. The simple keyword hedge performed with an 82.9% sensitivity and 90.8% specificity. The filter generated a 69.6% sensitivity and 96.2% specificity. The variation in field tags did not provide a significant difference in the areas of sensitivity and specificity. The filter performed as expected with higher specificity rather than sensitivity. The simple keyword hedge performed better than anticipated with comparable sensitivity and specificity of the more complex hedges. When searching for infant population articles, the simple keyword search and filter work well for quick, clinical searching. For evidence synthesis, we recommend using one of the more sensitive infant hedges.
Individuals seeking health information often turn to the Internet for answers. Wikipedia is a dynamic, crowdsourced encyclopedia and one of the most accessed online sources for this content. However, the Spanish Wikipedia is not nearly as in-depth as the English version, creating a large disparity. Medical students with English and Spanish proficiency possess a distinct skill set that positions them to contribute timely, trusted, evidence-based content to the platform and reduce this inequity. This case study presents the implementation of a credit-bearing Spanish Wikipedia translation elective by the library for fourth-year medical students at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, currently the only Spanish Wikipedia elective in a medical school in the United States. The purpose of the course is to increase the quality and readability of medical articles in the English and Spanish versions of the online encyclopedia using evidence-based medicine (EBM) principles. The output from this elective demonstrates that medical students can use their medical knowledge and skills to create and improve articles in English and Spanish on Wikipedia and disseminate evidence-based information to millions of consumers worldwide seeking reputable health information. Learners can leverage their specialized training to minimize the gap between these versions and become active participants in global health. By using technology to their advantage, they provide enduring health information that impacts and reaches many more people in a virtual setting than in a traditional one-on-one clinical encounter.
In 2019 the Medical Library Association (MLA) transitioned to a community structure composed of caucuses. Four years after the transition, the 2023-2024 MLA Rising Stars cohort was asked to investigate how the caucuses were currently functioning and any challenges to their sustainability. This Special Paper will describe the study conducted by the Rising Stars cohort, and its research findings. Preliminary recommendations include greater standardization of annual reporting, additional guidance and discussion forums for caucus leadership, and an increase in events focused on professional development, networking, and information sharing such as those held during Experience MLA.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn&s Disease, are chronic and recurrent conditions that severely impact patients' quality of life and increase the risk of complications. Providing accurate and evidence-based health information is a non-pharmacological strategy that may improve disease outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of physician-prescribed information on patients' quality of life and disease Relapse. In this randomized controlled trial, 160 patients with IBD were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group received a structured information prescription (IP) developed by a trained medical librarian and approved by a physician, while the control group received routine oral explanations. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL) and Time to Relapse Questionnaire (TRQ) were used to assess quality of life and Relapse, respectively. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney tests using Stata17 software. The Relapse rate in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group at both two months (12.5% vs. 87.5%, p=0.004) and four months (15% vs. 42.5%, P<0.001). The risk of Relapse in the control group was more than twice as high compared to the intervention group (Hazard ratio: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.6-2.8). The mean overall quality of life scores showed an improvement in the intervention group, while a decline was observed in the control group. A significant improvement was also indicated in all quality-of-life domains in the intervention group when compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Physician-prescribed information interventions significantly enhance quality of life and reduce disease Relapse in IBD patients, offering a promising complementary approach in clinical care.
Information prescriptions consist in making specific health care information available to patients on their disease from accredited sources, in order to help them understand and manage their disease, stimulating informed participation in health care. In the literature, a few studies have investigated the real effectiveness of prescribing information on the health management of oncological diseases. The scope of our pilot study was to investigate the effectiveness of information prescription, evaluating both patient satisfaction and perception, but also its possible impact on adherence to follow-up programs. Prospective pilot study enrolling patients with thyroid cancer. They received informative scientific material on thyroid cancer, dispensed by clinical librarians of the Institute's Library. 101 patients were enrolled (81% were women with a total mean age of 49.39 years). 26% of patients accessed the institute's library receiving patient information materials. Comparing data of people who completed the project with those who did not, no differences in sex, age and tumour characteristics were found. We found no statistical differences in terms of adherence to follow-up visits between the two groups of patients, but health information was able to effectively respond to the requests or needs of most patients. Participating patients have improved awareness and knowledge of their disease, patient-doctor relationships, adherence to treatment and communication with family members regarding their disease status, with a final positive impact on one's psychological well-being and global satisfaction obtained in 65% of people. This is the first Italian study carried out in the field of oncological endocrinology, demonstrating the positive role health information has on patients' psychological health and thyroid cancer knowledge.
To retrospectively evaluate workload implications and recall performance of narrower or broader database search strategies when using active learning screening tools. A convenience sample of 10 completed reviews was used to assess search strategy performance in ASReview LAB, an open-source systematic review software tool. For each review, a single database search strategy was selected and then revised to either broaden (n = 9) or narrow (n = 1) the scope. Results from both the more sensitive (broader) and more precise (narrower) search strategies were labeled as relevant or irrelevant based on inclusion in the completed review. The labeled result sets were uploaded into the ASReview LAB simulation module, which mimics the process of human screening. Metrics such as number of records screened to reach recall of 95% or more were recorded. The effects of three different stopping rules on workload and recall were also explored. For quantitative systematic reviews, the difference in absolute screening time required to reach 95% recall between broader or narrower search strategies was minimal (≤35 minutes). In contrast, for qualitative systematic reviews and other review types, broader search strategies led to increased workload. With respect to stopping rules, the time-based stopping heuristic resulted in substantial workload increases when broader search strategies were employed. Time savings achieved through the use of semi-automated screening tools may not always offset additional screening time required by broader, more sensitive search strategies. Librarians and information specialists should consider a variety of factors when determining the appropriate balance between search sensitivity and specificity in the context of semi-automated screening tools.
To synthesize and map literature on automated indexing of the biomedical literature, with a focus on the Medical Text Indexer (MTI) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). We review the drivers, benefits, and challenges of automated indexing, evolution of the MTI from 2000-2025, and impacts on information retrieval in MEDLINE. We conducted a scoping review following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and reported findings using PRISMA-ScR and PRISMA-S. We searched several bibliographic databases, key journals, conference proceedings, and grey literature sources, with no restrictions on language or study design. Eligible publications were published 2000-2025 and focused on MTI development. Screening, data charting, and thematic analysis were conducted by multiple reviewers. We included 64 publications, with most originating from the United States (n=53, 83%) and five from Canada (8%). Study methods included evaluation or comparative studies (65%), qualitative descriptions (25%), and mixed methods (11%). MTI evolved from a rules-based recommendation tool in 2002 to the neural network-based MTIX in 2024. Despite numerous enhancements to the MTI, human curation remains necessary for approximately one-third of records to correct inaccuracies, capture missed concepts, and address errors arising from figurative language or algorithmic biases. This review synthesizes twenty-five years of MTI research (2000-2025). Despite reduced indexing times and a markedly improved algorithm, the MTIX has not yet achieved full equivalence to human indexing. Our findings suggest searchers should watch for algorithmic ambiguities in their MEDLINE searching and adapt accordingly. Health sciences librarians should work with stakeholders, including authors, to shape future algorithmic indexing methods, outputs, evaluation and research.
To identify the most frequently-observed forms of cognitive bias among Health Information Professionals (HIPs) during decision-making processes. To determine if number of years in the profession influences the types of cognitive biases perceived in others' decisions. This cross-sectional study invited participation of 498 elected and appointed leaders at the national, caucus, and chapter levels of the Medical Library Association. The 149 participants (32%) were presented with 24 cognitive biases often associated with expected decision-making contexts among HIPs. The most frequently observed forms of cognitive bias in decision-making situations were: Status Quo, Sunk Costs, Novelty, Professionology, Authority, Worst-Case Scenario, and Group Think. Four of these overlapped with a previous 2007 study. Results were analyzed by length of years in the profession. Four forms of cognitive bias showed statistically significant differences in frequency by years in the profession: Authority, Naïve Realism, Overconfidence, and Status quo forms of cognitive bias. This study identified commonly observed cognitive biases that interrupt decision-making processes. These results provide a first step toward developing solutions. Mitigation strategies for the seven most common forms of identified cognitive bias are explored with more general recommendations for all forms of cognitive bias. This study should guide the profession on the most commonly-perceived forms of cognitive bias occurring in decision-making environments with an eye upon possible mitigation strategies.