Consumer health information (CHI) in medical libraries

Consumer health information (CHI) in medical libraries: an introduction to information services, challenges & trends Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011 Canadian consumer health information (CHI) portal Men's Health Pathfinders Women's Health Pathfinders Top 100 Canadian Health Websites

Objectives
Discuss importance of consumer health information in society
Rise of consumer movements/ lobbying/ activism
Define CHI & patient education
Issues in consumer health
Challenges for libraries & library technicians
Future trends in consumer health
Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011 Vitruvian Man

1940s . Dr. Spock
1960s . Ralph Nader, Morton Shulman
1970s . AHA Patient Bill of Rights
1980s . AIDS lobby, breast and prostate cancer
1990s . Use of web by consumers
Other . MedlinePlus, patient-physician relationship, public libraries
The rise of consumer health information Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011

Consumer health information (CHI) is information on health and medical topics provided in response to requests from the general public, including patients and their families. In addition to information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of disease, CHI encompasses information on health promotion, preventive medicine, the determinants of health and accessing the health care system.
The Provision of Consumer Health Information – CAPHIS : Consumer and Patient Health Information Section of the MLA
What is consumer health information? Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011

Patient education is a planned activity, initiated by a health professional, whose aim is to impart knowledge, attitudes and skills with the specific goal of changing behaviour, increasing compliance with therapy and, thereby, improving health.
The Provision of Consumer Health Information – CAPHIS : Consumer and Patient Health Information Section of the MLA
What is patient education? Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011

Consumer health information
emphasis on health promotion & empowerment
provided by public and medical libraries
online access is key
linked to support/advocacy groups; initiated by patrons
Patient education
emphasis on the patient experience
undergoing procedures, understanding illness or disease
provided by health professionals AND library staff
often in clinical setting in advance of patient consent
Major differences & comparisons Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011

Consumer health information
What is the optimum diet to prevent cancer?
Can you tell me where to find information on avoiding household cleaning products that are toxic?
How many servings of fruit should I have per day?
What is the best way to exercise? How often?
Patient education
Can you tell me what happens when you get an MRI?
When I get a bloodtest, what are they looking for?
I have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. What treatments are available for me?
My doctor has prescribed ativan for me. What is that?
Some sample reference questions Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011 For other questions, see BCLA Continuing Education Workshop 2010

The reference interview in CHI Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011 . respect privacy/confidentiality (in person & online) . provide a safe, private place . listen closely, be empathetic . be aware of emotions & body language . use reassuring phrases …” I’ll try to help you” . know limits of your collection & expertise . refer question if necessary

BC Cancer Agency website
DISCERN: Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information
Health on the Net (HON) Foundation
MLA User's Guide to Finding & Evaluating Health Information
MedlinePlus Guide to Healthy Web Surfing
Patient 101: How to Find Reliable Health Information
Webwatch Guidelines at Consumer Reports
Tools for evaluation of information Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011

Challenges for libraries
Collection development, expertise
What would be helpful for the consumer/patient?
Reference interview – referrals?
Libraries don’t have access to doctor/patient charts
Do you provide consumer level information only? selective reference?
Referral - as we do not dispense advice, how is this done properly?
Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011

Emotional issues around disease/prognoses
Culture, language, general literacy, Canadian context
Foreign language materials vital
Literacy - reading level of user to material selected
“ Health literacy” level of person asking
Privacy, confidentiality
Challenges for libraries (cont’d) Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011 Artist Alireza Darvish

Future trends
Consumer health literacy & mini-med school
Cochrane Consumer Network – http:// www.cochrane.org/consumers/about.htm
Twitter, social networking sites
Telemedicine e.g., Second Life
Public library collaborations
Consumer health classes & services
Dean Giustini, UBC health librarian & instructor | [email_address] | LIBR2195 Week 13 | Summer 2011

Consumer health information (CHI) in medical libraries

by Dean Giustini

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