A clinical librarian pilot project in psychiatry

Abstract

Aims and methodA 4-month pilot was conducted to assess whether the clinical librarian model, which has been successfully used within acute hospitals, would work in a mental health setting. A librarian attended weekly clinical team meetings in two community mental health teams to help generate clinical questions. A summary of the evidence on each topic was then presented the following week. An evaluation of the pilot was carried out using a questionnaire survey, focus groups and interviews.ResultsResults suggest that the project had produced a positive impact within the teams and begun the process of embedding evidence-based information within clinical practice.Clinical implicationsWith some adaptations, the clinical librarian model can be an effective method of implementing evidence-based practice and addressing continuing professional development needs within mental health clinical teams.

The impact of clinical librarian services on patients and health care organisations

“…This study is unique in taking this wider view of potential impacts to which CLs can contribute. Studies that have looked at specific contributions made by CLs have focussed on those relating to patient care or clinical decision making. Tables and clearly show that CLs contribute to a very wide range of outcomes across health care organisations and narrowing the focus of the study may well result in underestimating the CL contribution.…”

Boredom among psychiatric in-patients: does it matter?

“…A notable exception is a study by Gorring et al (2010), which concluded that the clinical librarian role can be effective in implementing evidence-based psychiatric practice in clinical teams. Davidoff & Florance (2000) acknowledge the contributions that clinical librarians can make in stimulating access to the evidence base, pointing out that many now read the literature and write brief synopses of papers to present on ward rounds and at conferences.…”

The Clinical Medical Librarian Program: The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Experience

“…Gorring et al reported on a clinical librarian undertaking in psychiatry that was evaluated using a questionnaire as well as focus groups and interviews (3). The library staff employed SurveyMonkey to distribute a 10 question online survey (4).…”