The Lived Experience and Training Needs of Librarians Serving at the Clinical Point-of-Care

Abstract

This study examines the emotional experiences and perceptions of librarians embedded into clinical care teams and how those perceptions affect their training and preparation needs. Qualitative research methodologies were applied to textual data drawn from focus groups (n=21), interviews (n=2), and an online survey (n=167), supplemented by quantitative survey data. Phenomenological results show librarians experience strongly effective responses to clinical rounding. Important factors include personal confidence; relationships with team members, patients, and families; and the stressful environment. Analysis of librarians’ perceived educational needs indicates that training must address specialized subjects including medical knowledge, clinical culture, and institutional politics.

Skills and key education needed for clinical librarians: an exploratory study from the librarians' perspectives

“…Having advanced professional search skills in information resources, critical evaluation, and in-depth knowledge of clinical terms will enhance the confidence of the information specialist [ 18 , 19 ] that cooperates as an expert in how to use databases and information related to health [ 24 , 25 ]. In this regard, clinical librarian should be familiar with information organizations [ 22 ] and be capable of evaluating information and scientific texts [ 18 , 25 , 26 ]. To maintain this position and appear successfully in new roles, librarians need to have interaction and teamwork skills, gain the trust of the clinical team, be familiar with organizational policies in the clinical environment, and have interpersonal communication skills [ 12 , 15 ].…”

A Biblioteca do Centro de Estudos do Hospital Felício Rocho: um olhar para a atuação do bibliotecário clínico

“…Além dessas habilidades, o Bibliotecário Clínico precisa ser proativo e levar os serviços da Biblioteca Hospitalar ao usuário, ou seja, disponibilizar fontes de informação para o médico, em todo o ambiente hospitalar. Lyon et al (2015) abordam que o Bibliotecário Clínico, além de ser treinado em disciplinas da área médica e em habilidades especializadas em saúde, ele precisa conhecer a terminologia médica, a cultura clínica, a política e o meio ambiente do hospital em que atua. É um profissional que pode auxiliar na elaboração e formatação de Guidelines e manuais institucionais.…”

Clinical librarian in a hospital‐based teaching program: Bringing evidence chairside

“…2 CLs also provide their services to patients and caregivers to facilitate personalized care decisions. 3 Their effectiveness in promptly providing relevant articles during clinical care sets them apart from a library service, which generates a bibliography in response to a query. Their expertise in dental clinics and dental education has only recently begun to be explored.…”

“…Sustenance of the program requires commitment to support, funding, and training by institutions. 3 Training in clinical culture will equip CLs to handle the emotional experiences of engaging in chairside patient services, as exemplified in Table 1. 3 Embedding CLs in dental teams will enhance chairside evidence-based practice, add another patient advocate to the team, and influence information-seeking behavior of clinicians.…”