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Rejuvenating the Library’s Role in the Medical Curriculum. Emily Brennan, MLIS Information Services Librarian Eileen Eandi , MLIS Associate Director Evans Whitaker, MD, MLIS Clinical Support Librarian Educational & Research Services Division University Of Southern California
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Rejuvenating the Library’s Role in the Medical Curriculum Emily Brennan, MLIS Information Services Librarian Eileen Eandi, MLIS Associate Director Evans Whitaker, MD, MLIS Clinical Support Librarian Educational & Research Services Division University Of Southern California Norris Medical Library
Objective of Presentation To describe how the USC Norris Medical Library used student focus groups to rejuvenate its instructional role in the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM).
USC Norris Medical Library • Educational & Research Services Division: 6.5 librarians • Collaborate with: • Students, Residents, Fellows, Faculty, Staff • Keck School of Medicine • ~170 per class, plus Master’s and Ph.D. students • School of Pharmacy • Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy • Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy • Hospitals: USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Hospital, USC University Hospital, LAC+USC Medical Center, Doheny Eye Institute • Affiliated Hospital: Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
Purpose of Focus Groups To improve library instruction and assignments, and learn when we are needed in the curriculum.
Focus Groups • May 2009 • Invitation sent via each class’s listserv • Incentive: • lunch at Faculty Center • 2 GB USB flash drive with Norris Medical Library logo • Year 1 focus group: 8 students • Year 2 focus group: 8 students • Years 3 & 4 focus group: 8 students
Focus Group Questions: Year 1 Students • Introduction • Orientation • Library Literature Search Project • Library Support During the Year • Personal Librarian Program • Library Website • Conclusion
Focus Group Questions: Introduction • Introductions • Name tags • Supplemental materials • Library Literature Search Project • Pens, scratch paper • Purpose of focus group • To improve library instruction and assignments, and learn when we are needed in the curriculum • Focus group rules • Stay on track • Ensure even participation • Maintain momentum
Focus Group Questions: Orientation What are your thoughts on the 2-hour library orientation session? • One hour: resources demo; identifying key concepts in a clinical scenario • One hour: hands-on Ovid MEDLINE training session Prompts: • Ovid MEDLINE vs. PubMed? • What content do you recommend for the orientation sessions? • Have you used the library resources that we covered since orientation? • Which resources do you wish we had covered? • Was practice with the clinical scenarios useful? • How could we encourage more class participation?
Focus Group Questions: Library Literature Search Project You’re in the process of doing the third assignment of the Library Literature Search project. What are your thoughts on this project? Prompts: • Useful? Comments on timing? • Do the 3 assignments build on each other? • What type of assignment would help you more?
Library Literature Search Project Historically: • 3 Ovid MEDLINE assignments • Increasing complexity • Assignment asks them to: • Create searchable question based on scenario • Find 5 articles that answer your question • Distributed during orientation • Several weeks between distribution and due dates • Graded numerically • No other resources taught during year 1
Focus Group Questions:Library Support During the Year Are there other ways in which the library could support your learning during year 1? Prompts: • Optional library sessions? Topics? • Brief in-class introduction to key resources intermittently throughout the year in ICM? • PPM (Professionalism & the Practice of Medicine): should we meet with your groups of 24 on a few Monday afternoons to discuss ethical issues, patient education resources, etc? • How would you feel about an optional afternoon clinical workshop series, e.g. “case file mysteries” or “clinical resources”?
Library Support During the Year Technology Lunch Series less academic topics free pizza lunch Facebook Twitter Website: student portal Reminder emails to listservs regarding Personal librarians Student portal
Focus Group Questions:Personal Librarian Program We started the personal librarian program this year to pair each student with a librarian who would help them throughout the four years of medical school. What are your thoughts on the program? Prompts: • Do you know who your personal librarian is? • How often did you interact with your librarian this year? • Was your experience with the Library Literature Search Project assignment affected by having a personal librarian? • Will you contact him/her in the future if you need help finding information?
Focus Group Questions: Library Website What is your experience with using the library website? Prompts: • Student portal: do you know about it? Use it? What else needs to be on it? What should we take off? • Reserves: how often have you used print and/or electronic reserves? Are there enough copies of the print? Do the eReserves upload quickly enough? • Prefer electronic or print textbooks?
Summary of Revisions Improved orientation sessions Improved assignments Resources Topics Deadlines Continued support Technology Lunch Series Website: student portal Systems SPP Cases LibGuides
Questions? Emily Brennan ebrennan@usc.edu 323.442.1124