Increasing participation by National Health Service knowledge and library services staff in patient and public information: The role of Knowledge for Healthcare, 2014–2019

Abstract

Background The strategy lead for the National Health Service (NHS) knowledge and library services withn the NHS in England is held by Health Education England, working with 184 local NHS libraries based predominantly in hospitals Objectives As part of the strategic framework Knowkedge for Healthcare, the objective was to increase the role NHS knowledge and library services staff play in both indirect an direct support for evidence‐based information for patients and the public. Methods The study took an integrated multi‐level approach: encouraging local staff to share their expertise through Task and Finish groups, developing tools, offering training and reviewing levers available through Health Education England's quality assurance role. Results Between 2014 and 2019, the percentage of services supporting patient and public information increased from 27% to 78%. Qualitative evidence demonstrates a wide range of roles played by local services, working either indirectly or directly to ensure access to evidence‐based health information for patients and the public. Discussion The study shows the benefits of engaging people with local expertise in developing the skills and resources for system‐wide change. Conclusion Similar system‐wide change programmes should also consider an integrated approach, involving people, developing tools, offering training and drawing on incentive structures such as quality assurance measures.

Health Libraries Group at 75

“…The role of NHS knowledge and library service staff in providing evidence‐based information for patients and the public in England was reported by Carlyle et al (2022) in their evaluation of the role of Knowledge for health care. They found that the percentage of services supporting patient and public information had increased from 27% to 78% between 2014 and 2019.…”

NHS knowledge and library services in England in the digital age

“…NHS knowledge specialists have raised awareness of the impact of health literacy, and promote tools and resources (Carlyle et al, 2022 ) and developed elearning (Health Education England, 2022d ). They deliver training to upskill the healthcare workforce (Naughton et al, 2021 ).…”

Accredited Informatics Skills Development Opportunities for the NHS Knowledge and Library Specialist Workforce in England

“…In recent years this role has extended to include health literacy with a recognition of the importance of these skills to increase equity of access to and patient involvement in treatment decisions [9]. Research in England has shown that 43% of adults aged 16-65 are unable to use words-based health information, a figure rising to 61% where numbers are included [10].…”