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This initiative aims to include literature searching skills in the curriculum of a developing country through an across-the-country training program. The goal is to empower medical information users with effective search skills for better academic and professional output.
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An initiative to include literature searching skills in the curriculum in a developing country, with an across the country training initiative Vasumathi Sriganesh; Parvati Iyer, Dipti Suvarna QMed Knowledge Foundation info@qmedkf.org.in
BACKGROUND Observation of a medical librarian • Information literacy / search skills training • Absent in the medical curriculum • Minimal in the working environment
BACKGROUND • Problem • “They don’t know what they don’t know” • Those who should mandate do not know
OUR FOUNDATION QMed Knowledge Foundation: 2007- Mission: • To empower the medical information user
TRAINING PROGRAMS • 2008: Planned training programs in literature searching • PubMed • Cochrane Library • Other resources • Coverage • Background information about sources • Search tools and features
PROGRAM GOALS • Participants learn search skills • Use skills in education, research, practice • Impact - Better academic / professional output
LONG TERM GOALS Every health science student & professional • Uses good search skills for regular work • Knows when to take an information professional’s help for special needs
PROGRAM PLAN • Started with PubMed • Basics • Advanced
PROGRAM PLAN • PubMed – Basics – Coverage • Structure of a record • Field search • Boolean operators • Display settings • Send to • Mesh search • Limits • Journal database • Single Citation Matcher
PROGRAM PLAN • PubMed – Advanced – Coverage • Mesh in more detail • My NCBI • Filters • Batch citation matcher • Clinical Queries
PROGRAM PLAN • Cochrane Library • Six databases – scope • Explanation of a Cochrane Review • Simple search • Advanced search • Mesh search • Saving a search • History
PROGRAMS From 2008 – till date • Nearly 90 lectures 3000 participants • Nearly 90 workshops 2500 participants
PROGRAMS From the first – we asked a question: • “Do you think this should be made mandatory in the curriculum”
PROGRAMS • Answer • About 95% said “YES”!
PROGRAM • Also Assessments showed • Approx 80-85% new learning for most participants
STATUS TODAY • In four years • We are an integral part of some regular external programs • Increasing requests for our programs • “Before formal feedback” – receive suggestions to include in curriculum
PROGRAM PLANS: ONLINE / ELEARNING • Currently – Free web based introductory courses: • Introduction – literature searching • Introduction – medical writing • Courses with paid access • PubMed Basics • Going ahead – Using Moodle • Free • Access for “Friends in Need” with small donations
STATUS TODAY • First step • Applied for “Credit points” for our program • Next • Create E-learning modules • Create “Train the trainer” programs • Then • Armed with feedback and accreditation – approach the Medical Council of India for inclusion in the syllabus
FUNDING • Status today • “Managed” till now! • Waiting for a nod from one funding body • Going ahead • Self funding through online programs
CONCLUSION • Problem identified • Programs conducted – 4 years • With • Feedback and statistics • Accreditation • Online modules • Train the trainer availability Expect inclusion in the curriculum very soon.
QMed Knowledge Foundation www.qmedkf.org.in Mumbai, India