An update on the Value of Library and Information Services in Patient Care study
Background
The goal of the “value of libraries study” is to develop a research project to measure the value of the health sciences library, library services, and librarian. Out of a discussion at the NN/LM MAR’s Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting in November 2006 emerged the issue of establishing the value of health sciences libraries to administrators in hospitals, academic health sciences centers and other organizations where librarians work.
One frequently cited study in the RAC discussion was the “Rochester study”. The impact of the hospital library on clinical decision making: the Rochester study. Bull Med Libr Assoc. 1992 Apr;80(2):169-78.
In discussing both the need for a value of libraries study, and the impact of the Rochester study (cited over 95 times since its publication in 1992) the Regional Advisory Committee recommended going forward with a new study.
The Value Committee was appointed and is comprised of members of NN/LM and researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Julia Sollenberger is the principle investigator, Karen Brewer, Susan Cavanaugh, Kathel Dunn, Sharon Easterby-Gannett, Mary Lou Klem, Lynn Kasner Morgan, and Kate Oliver comprise the NN/LM members. We have developed a research plan in consultation with Joanne Marshall, now on the faculty of the University of North Carolina School of Library Science, and one of the original authors of the Rochester study. The other UNC members are: Jennifer Craft Morgan, Susan Rathbun-Grubb and Cheryl Thompson. The plan is to reproduce the original study in the current environment, and to include as many hospitals as possible in the MAR region. The survey is to be administered by a private survey company and analyzed by the research group at UNC.
A Problem
Funding for the study (just over $144,000) is coming from the MAR program, which is itself funded through the National Network of Libraries of the National Library of Medicine. However, we learned in spring of 2009 from the National Library of Medicine that all surveys funded by government agencies (including NLM) must be approved by the US Office of Management and Budget, (OMB). This process would delay the study for at least 12 months. NNLM staff tried to figure out a way around this problem for us, and the only possibility was that if we funded the survey out of non-NLM funds, that would then alleviate the need to get OMB approval. The actual cost of conducting the survey is $18,000.
MLA Chapters Save the Day
We then went out to raise $18,000 for this project within the region. By October, 2009, we had met our target through financial support from the Hospital Library Section of the Medical Library Association, the NY/NJ Chapter of MLA, the Philadelphia Regional Chapter of MLA, the Upstate New York and Ontario Chapter of MLA and all eight of the New York State Reference and Research Library Resources Councils.
Where We Are Now
Due to the generous support of these chapters and organizations, we are now at a point where the study will soon be activated. The planning committee has developed a set of documents and a handbook for the study participants to use; the survey itself is going through the UNC IRB; and will soon be pretested. We expect to implement a pilot of the study in early 2010. Once the process for the pilot is finalized, we will be able to better understand how to proceed with the launch of the study.
This is a very busy and exciting time for the research team. Due to the funding problem, the timetable has been extended. We now plan to begin library recruitment in the spring.
Stay tuned!
For further information on the project see the MAR website: http://nnlm.gov/mar/about/value.html
Submitted by Sharon Easterby-Gannett on behalf of the Value of Libraries and Information Services in Patient Care Study Group
Sharon Easterby-Gannett, MLIS, AHIP
Associate Director, Medical Libraries
Lewis B. Flinn Medical Library
Christiana Care Health System
4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road
Newark, DE 19718
seg@christianacare.org
Voice 302.733.1164
Fax 302.733.1365
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