Developing a foundation information and academic skills programme for potential Student Nursing Associates.

This article outlines the development of 'Prepare to Progress', a preapplication programme for potential Student Nursing Associate (SNA) applicants at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Created collaboratively by the Trust's Library and Knowledge Services and Professional Education teams, the programme aims to provide realistic course expectations, teach study skills and boost confidence in using library services. Evaluation results indicate increased understanding of the SNA course, improved application decision-making, and enhanced academic confidence among participants. The programme demonstrates the valuable role of library services in preparing healthcare support workers for further education and addressing library anxiety. The study suggests benefits for both participants and library services.

Exploring the learning preferences of farmworker-serving community health workers.

Community health workers are responsible for finding, processing, and transferring health information to communities with limited access to health-related resources, including farmworkers. This paper is the culmination of an undergraduate student research project to explore the learning processes and preferences of farmworker-serving community health workers in the USA. The project was designed for students from farmworker or agricultural backgrounds at two North Carolina universities and was supported by a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services workforce development grant. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, in person and virtually, with a convenience sample of 17 current and former community health workers. The interview data were analysed thematically and identified a preference for a combination of learning styles, with visual and hands-on learning being the most preferred. Community health workers also identified the importance of learning preferences in relation to their responsibilities as health educators. This study provides librarians, along with public health and medical professionals, with useful information about learning preferences to inform the creation of new and varied learning materials for community health workers.

Perceived and performed electronic health literacy of medical sciences students.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that perceived skills for searching the Internet for health information may differ from actual skills in searching, finding, and appraising health information. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the perceived and performed eHealth literacy of medical sciences students, as well as the relationships between those literacies. METHODS: This study enrolled 228 medical sciences students (convenience sample) in Iran. The study tools include the eHEALS literacy scale for the perceived eHealth literacy and a questionnaire designed by the authors to assess performed eHealth literacy (skills around access, understanding, appraising, applying, and generating information). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In general, over 70% of students perceived their skills of access and appraisal as good/very good, correlating with their estimated performance. Students perceived they were less confident in some appraisal skills (e.g., using information from the Internet to make health decisions) than others. Performed skills in information generation were mostly poor or very good; performed application skills generally good/very good. CONCLUSIONS: The eHEALS score scales with actual skills (access and appraisal). Support is necessary for students in particular types of appraisal skills.

NHS knowledge and library services in England in the digital age.

National Health Service (NHS) knowledge and library services in England are integrating digital advances into their systems and services. Health Education England (HEE) leads on the development of NHS library services. A key workstream focuses on (1) improving the infrastructure to enable discovery and management of digital knowledge resources; (2) collaborating with local teams to establish regional library management systems that are integrated with the new national discovery service for healthcare staff and learners. This article explores initiatives on resource discovery as well as the need for system-wide partnership working to ensure that biomedical knowledge in computable form is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Low levels of health and digital literacy pose a significant barrier to using health information and accessing health services. A range of interventions are aimed at enhancing citizens' digital and health literacy skills. The education and life-long learning needs of the knowledge and library services workforce are considered. Working with CILIP and higher education institutions, HEE delivers a range of educational offers through its Learning Academy. As Artificial Intelligence and automation are implemented in health systems, knowledge and library staff form a crucial bridge between technology and those who use it.

Google is goodish: An information literacy course designed to teach users why Google may not always be the best place to search for evidence.

This article describes a course that was developed in response to health sector and local authority workers being reliant on Google and using it for their information needs regardless of whether it was the best place to search. The methodology for developing and structuring the course is explored, including details of the content included. The author concludes by asserting that teaching users about the effective use of Google is an important part of user education. D.I.

The impact of health information management professionals on patient safety: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The importance of high-quality health information for patient safety has been established in the literature, yet the impact of the professionals who are the custodians of health information is absent. OBJECTIVES: This article presents the results of a systematic literature review examining the impact of the Health Information Management (HIM) profession on patient safety. METHODS: A PRISMA approach was adopted for the review of selected databases and specific journals. Titles identified as relating to HIM and patient quality were screened using Covidence ® by title and abstract, followed by full text. The quality of selected articles was assessed and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Analysis of the 8 included articles found that the key themes from the non-empirical research were data quality, information governance, corporate governance, skills and knowledge required for HIM professionals. DISCUSSION: Most publications focussed on HIM professional involvement in maintaining standards for data quality and health records, but not the professional qualifications themselves. CONCLUSIONS: There are links between patient safety and health records, and between health records and HIM professional work. More empirical research is needed to demonstrate how qualified HIM professionals contribute to patient safety.

Development and evaluation of a serious game to support learning among pharmacy and nursing students.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Serious games (SGs) are a digital method that promotes learning through playability. DOSE is a SG that aims to improve the use and navigation of the British National Formulary, a standard medicines reference source. This research aimed to design and examine the playability and perceptions of DOSE within healthcare curricula. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: The study used gaming psychology concepts to design DOSE and evaluated it across two cohorts of students from the undergraduate pharmacy and nursing courses at Kingston University. Pre- and post-game questionnaires were utilised to examine usability and student perceptions. SG playability and validity were measured against standard criteria using validated assessment frameworks. Cronbach's α was calculated to determine the internal reliability of the framework assessments. FINDINGS: The SG was validated for playability, functionality, and rationale (α ≥ 0.8). The majority (95%, n = 95) of pharmacy students reported they would use DOSE again with 58% (n = 58) indicating they would use the SG as a revision tool. DOSE was also perceived positively among the nursing cohort, with 84% (n = 118) indicating they would like to see DOSE embedded within the curriculum; 77% (n = 108) agreed DOSE had helped to improve their knowledge of pharmacology. SUMMARY: DOSE playability and validity was reported by pharmacy students. Nursing students reported a significant increase in confidence using the BNF and overall high acceptability of DOSE as a SG. DOSE was found to be a usable SG model across both cohorts.

Regional and rural allied health professionals in Australia need better information services training and support for evidence-based practice.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice requires health professionals to recognise situations of uncertainty in their practice, translate that uncertainty into answerable questions, and find and appraise information relevant to those questions. No research to date has explored the research-based information needs of allied health professionals (AHPs) in regional and rural Australia. OBJECTIVE: To examine the information-seeking experiences and needs of AHPs in regional and rural Australia. METHODS: A total of 80 AHPs, predominantly occupational therapists and physiotherapists, practising in regional and rural areas of Australia completed an online survey. RESULTS: Almost all respondents reported having questions requiring research evidence, but most of their questions were worded non-specifically. Respondents practising in rural areas had greater perceived difficulty in obtaining relevant evidence than their regional counterparts. Many respondents reported wanting additional support to find relevant research evidence. DISCUSSION: The findings offer insights regarding information-seeking challenges AHPs face and potential solutions, including improved training and increased health librarian support. However, due to sampling limitations, the results cannot be generalised to all allied health professions. CONCLUSION: Allied health professionals may require more training and support to engage in efficient and effective information-seeking behaviours. Health librarians have a valuable role to play in providing this training and support.

Mental health clinicians' views of summary and systematic review utility in evidence-based practice.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice (EBP) requires integration of research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences. It is endorsed by many regulatory bodies, using the approach is challenging for many busy clinicians. OBJECTIVES: To explore mental health practitioners' perceptions of the factors which help, and which hinder, EBP and their views of two formats for presenting research findings - a systematic review and a one-page summary of that review. (written by a clinical librarian) METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews with a multi-professional sample of mental health clinicians. (n=7) RESULTS: Participants worked under varying time constraints, with some participants perceiving a conflict between research activities such as reading the evidence and their clinical duties one-page research summary would help some participienrs to identify potentially valuable evidence quickly. However, participants agreed that they would need to read full systematic review to assess whether and how their practice could or should change. DISCUSSION: A one-page research summary can perform useful functions for clinicians; however, they require more detailed research reports such as systematic reviews to judge research's external validity. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study indicates that writing evidence summaries is a useful role for clinical librarians, as part of training and support for EBP.

Entrenamiento de los doctorandos para el dominio del gestor bibliográfico EndNote en un nivel avanzado / Training aspiring PhDs in the advanced use of the reference manager EndNote

La elaboración y la gestión de las referencias bibliográficas en el proceso de investigación es una tarea de alta importancia. Esta actividad continúa siendo una dificultad para muchos investigadores, a pesar del desarrollo informático vinculado a ella. El acceso y el uso de la información mediante Internet es una constante premisa en la investigación actual que requiere, con inmediatez para los investigadores, del avance de sus habilidades para la gestión bibliográfica, acorde con los nuevos adelantos técnicos. Los gestores bibliográficos son herramientas informáticas que ofrecen servicios automatizados para la organización bibliográfica, las cuales son conocidas a partir de otras publicaciones. Uno de los gestores más difundidos y utilizados es el EndNote, que se retomó nuevamente en esta investigación con una población de 23 doctorandos de la Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas (UCI), con el objetivo de revelar los resultados obtenidos en la implementación de un entrenamiento de los doctorandos para el desarrollo de las habilidades de nivel avanzado. Como resultado se propusieron tres niveles de acciones para el dominio de esta herramienta que respondían al nivel de complejidad de las funcionalidades del software: básico, avanzado y experto. En el grupo de doctorandos del grupo UCI se evidencia un saber y un saber hacer en las acciones y operaciones del EndNote, superiores al diagnóstico inicial, que evidencia el desarrollo de un nivel básico a un nivel avanzado(AU)

Development and management of bibliographic references is a very important task in the research process. This activity continues to be a challenge for many researchers, despite the progress achieved in the field in terms of computer support. Access to and use of Internet-based information is a permanent premise in current research requiring immediacy in the enhancement of researchers' reference management skills, in keeping with recent technical advances. Reference managers are computer tools offering automated services for the bibliographic organization of references obtained from other publications. One of the most widely disseminated and commonly used managers is EndNote, which was revisited in the present study with a population of 23 aspiring PhDs from the Information Sciences University (UCI), with the purpose of revealing the results obtained by the implementation of a training program for the development of advanced skills intended for aspiring PhDs. As a result, three levels of actions aimed at the command of this tool were proposed: basic, advanced and expert, reflecting the degree of complexity exhibited by the functions performed by the software. The aspiring PhDs in the UCI group showed better knowledge and know-how about EndNote actions and operations than in their initial diagnosis. This was evidence of their progress from a basic to an advanced level(AU)

The strong bridge between African librarians and international partnerships.

The paper highlights the experience of working with Shane Godbolt when she was a practising Medical librarian, her mentorship to younger librarians/information professionals, her personal and professional support to African librarians and the role she played as the Director of Partnerships in Health Information (Phi). These activities led to successful collaboration between Phi and African librarians. Indeed Shane widened the networks and opened up opportunities for many.

La competencia informacional como requisito para la formación académica en el siglo XXI / Information skills as a requirement for academic training in the 21st century

RESUMEN Fundamento: La formación de competencias informacionales es un tema investigado a escala internacional, por lo que surgen iniciativas para su introducción en la formación doctoral, a partir de los avances de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación. Objetivo: Valorar las tendencias acerca de las competencias informacionales en la formación doctoral. Metodología: Se parte de recopilación de información bibliográfica y documental que consiste en detectar, obtener y consultar la bibliografía existente para los propósitos del estudio; así como extraer y recopilar la información relevante y necesaria para realizar el estudio teórico-conceptual relacionado con las competencias informacionales en la formación doctoral. Resultados: Las referencias de autores y grupos a nivel internacional coinciden en el desafío que supone la introducción de cambios tecnológicos para los doctorandos y definen las competencias informacionales necesarias como apoyo a este proceso. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos permitieron determinar el perfil que sigue la generalidad científica internacional que investiga las competencias informacionales y establecer nuevos nexos con las etapas de la investigación educativa y los componentes del programa de formación doctoral.

ABSTRACT Background: The formation of information skills is a subject investigated internationally, so initiatives arise for its introduction in doctoral training, based on the advances of Information and Communication Technologies. Objective: To assess trends for information skills in doctoral training. Methodology: Firstly, the collection of bibliographic and documentary information based on detecting, obtaining and consulting the existing bibliography for the study purposes; as well as extracting and compiling the relevant and necessary information to carry out the theoretical-conceptual study related to information skills in doctoral training. Results: Internationally, the authors' references and groups coincide about the challenge posed by the introduction of technological changes for doctoral students and define the necessary information skills for supporting this process. Conclusions: The results obtained allowed to determine the profile followed by the international scientific generality investigating information skills and to establish new links with the stages of educational research and the components of the doctoral training program.

Development and evaluation of an educational game to support pharmacy students.

INTRODUCTION: United Kingdom pharmacy students need to efficiently navigate the British National Formulary (BNF), a standard medicines reference source. "Pharmacy Challenge" is a web-based prototype game based on the BNF. This research aimed to evaluate the game in terms of design, content, and impact on students' performance and confidence. METHODS: Evaluation was comprised of three phases: implementation, perception, and impact. Game design and evaluation methods were modelled using adapted elements of the Relevance Embedding Translation Adaption Immersion and Naturalisation framework. Qualitative and quantitative questionnaires were utilised to assess students' perceptions of the game and its role in their education and to evaluate changes in confidence and performance after playing the game. Quizzes were developed to determine changes in performance. RESULTS: The questionnaire evaluation (n = 152) found students' confidence increased significantly (p < .05) in speed of using, knowledge of BNF sections, extracting information, and knowing where to look for the answer. Most students (88%) felt they had learnt something new and 86% felt that it reinforced their learning. A significant (p < .05) increase in pre- and post- BNF quiz marks was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant improvement in students' perceived confidence was noted. The study identified design elements such as the need for a simple interface to encourage engagement. The prototype has undergone a design transformation based on the feedback provided and is now released under the name "DOSE" with a bank of 300 questions, improved graphics, a leadership board, and medals.

Competencias Informacionales en los profesores en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana / Information skills among teachers of the University of Medical Sciences of Havana

RESUMEN Introducción: Competencias Informacionales permiten a los profesores, dominar el contenido y ampliar investigaciones, para asumir su aprendizaje. Objetivo: Diagnosticar los problemas que dificultan el desarrollo de las Competencias Informacionales en los profesores. Material y métodos: Se realizó una investigación pedagógica con enfoque cualitativo, se trabajó con una muestra no probabilística, de 60 profesores. Resultados: Se realizó el procedimiento para el diagnóstico con la parametrización del objeto de estudio, estableciéndose como variable el desempeño docente de los profesores. En el campo de estudio se establecen tres dimensiones: función docente en la Educación Médica, la superación profesional y el comportamiento profesional y humano, con sus indicadores y los instrumentos aplicados que dan salida a cada indicador. Conclusiones: Se expone la metodología utilizada. La relación entre las competencias informacionales y desempeño docente permitió realizar la parametrización de la variable. Se identificaron dimensiones e indicadores, los instrumentos caracterizaron el estado del desarrollo de las competencias informacionales. Las indagaciones teóricas identificaron insuficiencias y potencialidades de la variable. El inventario de problemas y las potencialidades, permiten modelar una alternativa de superación, que el desarrollo de competencias informacionales en los profesores.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Information skills allow teachers to master the contents and to expand research to undertake learning. Objective: To diagnose the problems that affect the development of information skills among teachers of the University of Medical Sciences of Havana. Material and methods: A pedagogical qualitative research was conducted; the probabilistic sample was composed of 60 teachers. Results: The diagnostic procedure was carried out with parameterization of the object of study, establishing teacher performance as variable. Three dimensions were established in the field of study: teaching performance in Medical Education, professional improvement and professional and human behavior; they included their indicators and the instruments applied that meet every indicator. Conclusions: The methodology used is presented. The relationship between information skills and teaching performance allowed us to carry out the parameterization of the variable. Dimensions and indicators were identified; the instruments characterized the level of development of information skills. Theoretical investigations identified the weaknesses and strengths of the variable. The list of problems and potentialities allowed us to develop an improvement alternative for the development of information skills among teachers.

Habilidades informacionales: un requisito de alta demanda en la formación doctoral / Information skills: a crucial requirement in doctoral training

El imponente uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en el entorno investigativo trae consigo un constante crecimiento y divulgación de la información, lo que demanda la necesidad del dominio de las habilidades para el acceso y el uso adecuado de este recurso. El objetivo de este artículo fue identificar las habilidades informacionales que los doctorandos necesitan desarrollar, basándose en el uso de la información científica para la solución de las tareas de investigación en el proceso de formación doctoral. Para el desarrollo de este trabajo se realizó la revisión bibliográfica, el análisis de la información y del modelado, y se utilizó el software EndNote y Bizagi para el análisis y la discusión de los resultados. El trabajo de investigación se centró en las particularidades del sistema de Educación Superior en Cuba, específicamente en la educación doctoral de posgrado. Se examinaron las etapas de la formación doctoral, con mayor énfasis en las actividades relacionadas con el uso de la información científica. Finalmente se describen las habilidades informacionales que los doctorandos deben dominar para el uso de la información científica, teniendo en cuenta la proyección internacional de la comunidad científica que trabaja la alfabetización informacional(AU)

The impressive use of information and communications technologies in the field of research has resulted in permanent growth and dissemination of information, leading to the need to master the skills involved in the access and adequate use of this resource. The purpose of the study was to identify the information skills that aspiring PhDs need to develop in terms of the use of scientific information to solve research tasks throughout the process of doctoral training. The study was based on a bibliographic review as well as analysis and modeling of the information. EndNote and Bizagi software was used for the analysis and discussion of results. The research focused on the specific features of the Higher Education System in Cuba, particularly as concerns graduate doctoral education. Examination was performed of the doctoral training stages, with greater emphasis on activities related to the use of scientific information. A description is provided of the information skills that aspiring PhDs should master to use scientific information, bearing in mind the international projection of the scientific community involved in information literacy(AU)

Tailoring an information skills programme for Trainee Nursing Associates.

This feature describes the tailored information skills programme which was delivered for the second cohort of Trainee Nursing Associates (TNAs) at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and presents the results of the evaluation which was undertaken. Literature searching and critical appraisal were offered to the first cohort. Feedback was collated, and sessions were refined and tailored to better meet the information needs of the second cohort of TNAs. A comparison of confidence ratings before and after the programme ascertained whether the information skills programme had a positive benefit in confidence levels of attendees. D.I.

Potential of technology to improve the availability and use of health information on cancer subjects for clergy from rural communities.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world and often is a chronic long term disease. This calls for an expanded workforce to include non-traditional health care providers. OBJECTIVE: To determine effectiveness of a cancer information training project with clergy from selected rural Appalachian areas to improve comfort and willingness to work as part of the cancer health care team. METHODS: Clergy were trained in the consumer health database of the National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus.gov. Exercises were required that were done using an iPad tablet with an online curriculum. They were also taught how to do a population health assessment of their particular area and develop a health ministry for their church. RESULTS: Three key elements were confirmed that would enable replication of the pilot: access to medlineplus, programmed learning modules using mobile technology such as iPads, and staff support including librarians and medical staff. With these key elements, the cancer project is potentially replicable with other groups beyond clergy. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about population health, built on new awareness and topical health knowledge, and using new skills to identify relevant information and library resources, could open minds and enhance community support for preventive and medical interventions.

Teaching information literacy skills to medical students: perceptions of health sciences librarians.

BACKGROUND: This paper is the second part of a two phase, sequential mixed method study. OBJECTIVES: To get the views of medical librarians in Pakistan regarding information literacy (IL) skills of medical students and how to teach them IL skills. METHODS: Structured interviews were conducted with 20 medical librarians in Pakistan. We audio recorded, transcribed all the interviews and performed content analysis and coding of the textual data. We presented the emerging themes with the frequency of their appearance. RESULTS: Interviewees agreed that the IL skills of their students were inadequate. Participants suggested that librarians should train students through mandatory IL instruction programmes, designed in coordination with medical faculty. However, workshops/seminars were considered the most effective IL delivery methods for medical faculty and clinicians. The majority of respondents supported the integration of IL instruction into the curriculum as an independent and credit course. DISCUSSION: Teaching IL skills to medical students requires proper planning. Therefore, librarians have to prove their place within the curricular structure of the institution and develop understanding of the pedagogy of instruction. CONCLUSION: Librarians must collaborate with faculty to train students in advanced information skills. There is a need to integrate IL instruction into the curriculum at all levels.

Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand: a review of the Teaching and Learning in Action feature.

Appointed at the turn of the year Donna Iriving is the incoming Teaching and Learning in Action Regular Feature Editor, in this quarters issue Donna presents and overview of Regular Features over the past five years to share examples of your best practice.

Ugandan health libraries in the 21st century: key initiatives and challenges.

This article is part of a series in this regular feature which looks at new directions in health science libraries. This paper highlights new initiatives aimed at ensuring health libraries can contribute to the development of Uganda in the 21st century and the challenges facing libraries. It stresses that for libraries to be successful they need to form networks and collaborations for resource sharing; take advantage of the benefits of information technology; computerise their library systems; as well as invest in the development of staff. The paper highlights the main challenge facing the library service as inadequate funding both from government for public-funded health libraries and the private sector (for privately funded health libraries). The paper concludes that, despite the bottlenecks brought about by inadequate funding, Ugandan health libraries have taken positive steps to support health research and education, as well as patient care, not just for Uganda, but for the whole of the East African region. J.M.