Consumer Health in Libraries

Slide 1: Developing Consumer Health Information Services in Public Libraries Christine McDonald, Director Guinevere Forshey, Medical Librarian Crandall Public Library NYLA October 2007

Slide 2: Hierarchy of Services • Specialized reference services • Space planning: confidentiality & privacy. • Use of disclaimers • Public programs & computer classes • Market services • Produce PR materials • Partner with local medical librarian/hospital library • Create advisory group w/ healthcare professionals • Online resources: Create presence on website & purchase in-house databases • Purchase specialized collection: Reference Books, Journals, DVDs • Commitment to train staff: CHIS (24 CE) & AHIP (50 CE+) certification from MLA •One person to oversee collection development, staff training, etc • Incorporate Consumer Health Services into strategic plan • Administrative buy-in and board approval • Create budget, grant funding, work towards sustainability • Community Needs Assessment: demographics (low literacy, ESL, seniors, teens, etc) • No staff training • Popular library collection of health related books • Basic collection of reference books, journals & Internet resources (Google)

Slide 3: US National Commission on Libraries and Information Science 2004   BlueRibbon Consumer Health Information Recognition Award for Libraries http://www.nclis.gov/ 

Slide 4: Budget & Plan 1998  Planning  1999  1st Langeloth grant to create a CHIC at Crandall ($93,300)  2001  2nd Langeloth grant to develop a CHIC at Queens & maintain CPL ($127,626)  2002  3rd Langeloth to maintain both centers & expand training ($98,146)  2003  NN/LM grant for librarian training ($20,404)  LSTA grant ($5,060)  2004  4th Langeloth grant to implement a CHIC at 3 NYS libraries ($67,739)  NN/LM grant for librarian training ($6,344)  LSTA grant for public training (teens & adults) ($24,373)  2005  CHIC maintained by general Crandall Budget 

Slide 5: Funding Grant Funding   LSTA (State Library)  Foundations  Corporations  Individuals  NN/LM  COSER  Member Items (NYS)  General Operating

Slide 6: Medical Advisory Group Medical Consultant: Requirement of  Langeloth Foundation Advisory Group assisted in developing   Core collection (reviewed)  Videos/DVDs (reviewed)  Question motives (i.e. information vs. advice)

Slide 7: Community Partners & Libraries Glens Falls Hospital  Hudson Headwaters Health Network  Queens Borough Public Library  South Glens Falls School Districts  Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS)  NYS Public Library Systems 

Slide 8: Staff Training Crandall Public Library  EqualAccess Libraries Professional Development Program   www.ea.webjunction.org National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM)  National Training Center & Clearinghouse   http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/index.html Middle Atlantic Region (MAR)  http://nnlm.gov/mar/  MAR Training & Educational Opportunities  http://nnlm.gov/mar/training/index.html 

Slide 12: Commitment to Training MLA Continuing Education Credits   Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS)  24 CE credits from MLA  Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP)  5 years on the job  Continuing Education (CE) 50 credits  Individual Accomplishments   Teaching  Publishing  Conference participation  Professional Association Activities

Slide 15: Staff Training/Evaluation Library System Date Library System Date Participants Initials Participants Initials Listed below are some statements that describe practices and attitudes associated with medical Listed below are some statements that describe practices and attitudes associated with medical reference reference assistance. Based on the training you have just completed, indicate how often you believe you assistance. Based on the training you have just completed, indicate how often you believe you will engage engage in the described behavior or experience the described feelings. Please place a number from 1 to 7 in the described behavior or experience the described feelings. Please place a number from 1 to 7 in the in the space beside each statement. space beside each statement. Almost Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Almost Always Almost Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Almost Always 1) I feel confident when asked by a patron for help in accessing electronic medical information 1) I will feel confident when asked by a patron for help in accessing electronic medical information 2) I know where to access requested medical information on the Internet 2) I will know where to access requested medical information on the Internet I am concerned that I might provide misinformation when providing health reference assistance to I will be concerned that I might provide misinformation when providing health reference assistance to 3) patrons 3) patrons 4) I use electronic sources to answer general patron reference questions 4) I will use electronic sources to answer general patron reference questions 5) I am secure in my ability to help patrons navigate various electronic medical databases 5) I am secure in my ability to help patrons navigate various electronic medical databases 6) I feel stress when asked by a patron for help with a medical reference question 6) I will feel stress when asked by a patron for help with a medical reference question 7) I use advanced techniques like Boolean logic when searching electronic medical information 7) I will use advanced techniques like Boolean logic when searching electronic medical information 8) I know where to look for the most up-to-date information 8) I will know where to look for the most up-to-date information 9) I am comfortable directing patrons to electronically based medical information 9) I will be comfortable directing patrons to electronically based medical information 10) I promote the use of electronic medical information sources to patrons 10) I will promote the use of electronic medical information sources to patrons 11) I search more than two medical information sites per patron reference request 11) I will search more than two medical information sites per patron reference request 12) I am getting the training I need to be able to use medical reference sources effectively 12) I am getting the training I need to be able to use medical reference sources effectively 13) I feel I am intruding on patron privacy when providing health reference assistance 13) I will feel I am intruding on patron privacy when providing health reference assistance 14) I am confident in the veracity of medical information sources I access on the Internet 14) I will be confident in the veracity of medical information sources I access on the Internet 15) On average, I use electronic resources to answer medical reference questions: 15) The number of medical reference sites I expect to regularly use is: once/day once/week once/month ____ None ____ < 3 ____ 4-9 ____ >10 several times/day several times/week several times/month 16) The number of medical reference sites I regularly use is: ____ 0 - 1 ____ < 3 ____ 4-9 ____ >10 17) Please describe the completeness and quality of information you currently provide to patrons who seek medical reference assistance:

Slide 16: Replication What works? What doesn’t?   Commitment  Staffing  Funding  Web Presence  PR Other NYS Libraries 

Slide 17: NYS Libraries & Consumer Health Information Middle Country Public Library   Rochester Regional Library Council  Clic-on-Health Mid-Hudson Library System   Health Information Project Queens Borough Public Library 

Slide 18: Consumer Health Information Center Specialized training  Specialized reference services  Dedicated area   “Medical Computer” Collection development  Outreach & programming  Training   Staff  Public

Slide 19: How are patrons contacting the CHIC? Email 26.7% Phone 32.9% Fax 0.0% Mail 0.3% Library 40.1%

Slide 20: What are people looking for? 45% 40% 40% Al ter nati ve Tr eatments 35% Di sease/ Condi ti on Doctor s 30% Hospi tal s/ Cl i ni cs Insur ance 25% Jour nal Ar ti cl es Medi cal Devi ces Medi cal Tests 20% Medi cati on/ Vacci nes 15% Mi sc 15% News Ar ti cl es/ Studi es 10% Sur ger y 10% Wel l ness 7% 7% 6% 4% 4% 5% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 0% 1

Slide 21: “Real” Questions What is reflexology and is it regulated in NYS?  I’m going to have LASIK eye surgery. Can you tell me exactly what the  doctor is going to do? How to I register a complaint against my pharmacist & pharmacy?  My daughter was never immunized. She is 3½ years old. What vaccinations  does she need and when does she need them? Has there been any research done in the past few years about statins and  cancer?

Slide 22: Reference Interview Privacy   Put patron at ease  Ask open ended questions  Ask for clarification  Never guess & never assume  Information, not advice!

Slide 23: Information packets 2+ handouts   Form letter  Disclaimer

Slide 24: How is the health info being delivered? Phone 7.0% Email 21.7% Mail 25.5% Fax 0.3% Library 45.5%

Slide 25: Print Resources Selected Bibliography  Top Picks  A Well-Rounded Collection  CAPHIS  http://caphis.mlanet.org/resources/index.html#coldev  Brandon-Hill Lists  http://www.mssm.edu/library/brandon-hill/  JA Majors  https://www.majors.com/wws/libraries/frontpage.jsp 

Slide 26: Internet Resources  Webliography Top Picks CAPHIS Top 100 http:// caphis.mlanet.org/consumer/

Slide 27: Online Databases Board Certified Docs   Natural Medicines  Well-Connected  NOVEL  Health & Wellness Resource Center  Health Reference Center Academic

Slide 28: Librarian Resources Crandall Public Library   http://cplhealth.wordpress.com Health Resources in Multiple Languages   http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/outreach/multicultural.html#a3

Slide 30: Interlibrary Loan Central Library   OCLC  NYSILL  Library Council DOCLINE   Loansome Doc http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/loansome_doc.html

Slide 31: PR Material

Slide 32: Programming Teen Health Program  Tie-in with Health Observances   Diabetes Awareness Day  National Mental Health Month Health professionals to speak on special specific  topics Community Programs   Women’s Health & Fitness Showcase  Career Fair at High School  National Senior Health & Fitness Day

Slide 33: Questions? Contact Us:  www.crandalllibrary.org   http://cplhealth.wordpress.com  Christine McDonald mcdonald@crandalllibrary.org   Guinevere Forshey gforshey@sals.edu 