Medical libraries and their complicated past: an exploration of the historical connections between medical collections and racial science.

For over a millennium, libraries and library workers have advanced the knowledge of human science by building, preserving, and sharing collections and research. Historically, libraries have also aligned their institutional responsibilities to adhere to and support the values and virtues of oppressive and colonial practices. Library history has shown the mistreatments and denials of information access of marginalized groups. The history of libraries in the health and medical sciences reveals how these institutions and their workers have preserved and circulated research studies perpetuating racial science. This commentary highlights how such institutions shape and contribute to racial science in the field of medicine. By exploring the history of medicine through this lens, we examine how such institutions have been complicit in upholding racial science. We explore historical documents and archival collections that have been collected and preserved, particularly records and data of vulnerable groups, to advance the knowledge and understanding of the human body through the ideology of racial science. We argue that health and medical sciences librarians need to critically interrogate the racism in medical libraries and its history and address how health misinformation is common even in scholarly publications.

Trends in Research Data Management and Academic Health Sciences Libraries.

Spurred by the National Institute of Health mandating a data management and sharing plan as a requirement of grant funding, research data management has exploded in importance for librarians supporting researchers and research institutions. This editorial examines the role and direction of libraries in this process from several viewpoints. Key markers of success include collaboration, establishing new relationships, leveraging existing relationships, accessing multiple avenues of communication, and building niche expertise and cachè as a valued and trustworthy partner.

COVID-19 and Innovation in Medical Library Services: A Scoping Review of Case Studies.

The services of medical libraries and information centers has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify the innovative services of medical libraries and information centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this scoping review, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, ProQuest, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA) databases were searched to identify case studies and case series. After screening the identified studies, 18 studies were selected. The results showed that the main users of medical libraries and information centers during COVID-19 were health care providers and recipients, researchers, organizational staff, and ordinary library users. Innovative services during the COVID-19 were also provided in these libraries, including distance education services, virtual information services, virtual guidelines, providing information resources, and evidence-based response to treatment teams. To provide these new services, medical libraries used traditional, semi-traditional, and modern information and communication technologies such as telephone, email, online library platforms, e-learning, and social networks. Medical libraries and information centers changed the way they provide services in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. Analyzing the services provided during this period can provide a model for policymakers, and medical librarians and information professionals to improve their services. The information presented here can be used to inform library services during future, similarly critical situations.

History of Medicine in the Clerkships: A Novel Model for Integrating Medicine and History.

The history of medicine has only unevenly been integrated into medical education. Previous attempts to incorporate the subject have focused either on the first year, with its already over-subscribed curriculum, or the fourth year in the form of electives that reach a small minority of students. Duke University provides an alternative model for other universities to consider. At our institution we have overcome many of the curricular limitations by including history during the mandatory third year clerkships. Reaching 100% of the medical school class, these sessions align with clinical disciplines, providing students a longitudinal perspective on what they are seeing and doing on the hospital wards. They are taught in conjunction with a medical history librarian and rely heavily on the utilization and interpretation of physical artifacts and archival manuscripts. The surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics rotations now feature successful and popular history of medicine sessions. Describing our lesson plans and featuring a list of both physical and online resources, we provide a model others can implement to increase the use, the framing, and the accessibility of history in their medical schools.

NLM and the IAIMS initiative: Cross-institutional academic/advanced systems contributing to the evolution of networked information and resources.

The Integrated Academic/Advanced Information Systems (IAIMS) program began in 1983 and was based on a study by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D. was a member of the AAMC Advisory Committee. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) grants for IAIMS were initiated in 1984 the same year Dr. Lindberg became Director of the NLM. This chapter presents an overview of IAIMS and its progression through three stages with Dr. Lindberg's leadership.

Developing a Culture of Inclusivity through a Library Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team. Part 2: Team Activities.

The Health Science Center Libraries at the University of Florida formalized, focused, and expanded their diversity, equity, and inclusion-related activities by creating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team. This paper describes the activities of the Team from 2018 to 2020, including efforts related to assessment, programming, promotion, and space. Future plans are also discussed. The Team activities described here can serve as models for other health science libraries with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Trends in Medical Library Essential Services.

This column introduces a new recurring section, and its editors, in Medical Reference Services Quarterly. The inaugural column addresses the ways in which academic medical libraries define and deliver essential services in the shifting landscape of budget constraints, an ongoing pandemic, and user needs that change as technology evolves.

Developing a Culture of Inclusivity through a Library Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team. Part 1: Team Formation.

Health science libraries are ideally suited for proactive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, as their work and spaces transcend disciplinary boundaries. In 2018, a DEI Team was created by the Health Science Center Libraries at the University of Florida, with the purpose of improving the library's climate for its diverse patrons and employees. This article provides an overview of the Team's formation and development, including its charge, culture, structure, teamwork, leadership, and reporting processes. Recommendations are offered for other libraries seeking to establish similar committees.

NLM and the IAIMS Initiative: Cross-Institutional Academic/Advanced Systems Contributing to the Evolution of Networked Information and Resources.

The Integrated Academic/Advanced Information Systems (IAIMS) program began in 1983 and was based on a study by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D. was a member of the AAMC Advisory Committee. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) grants for IAIMS were initiated in 1984 the same year Dr. Lindberg became Director of the NLM. This chapter presents an overview of IAIMS and its progression through three stages with Dr. Lindberg's leadership.

Identifying diversity, equity, and inclusion enhancement opportunities through an online mixed methods library survey.

Objective: A mixed methods survey was conducted at a health sciences library to assess patrons' perceptions of the library's digital and physical environments in relation to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Methods: Developed by the library's DEI Team and preceded by a pilot assessment, the survey posed 17 Likert Scale questions and 2 free-text response questions on the topics of belonging, inclusivity, equitability, emotional and physical safety, and commitment to DEI. The survey was created in Qualtrics, pilot tested, and launched in February 2020 for approximately 12 weeks. Results: Objective question responses were received from 101 individuals, with 24 open-ended responses. The quantitative findings showed largely positive perceptions of the DEI climate. Questions about feeling welcome and feeling physically safe were among those with the highest responses. The three lower-scoring questions indicate areas for improvement, including services for people whose native language is not English, for individuals with disabilities, and for families. The qualitative findings indicate the library's strengths include its exhibitions, welcoming atmosphere, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity initiatives. In contrast, opportunities for enhancement encompass non-English language resources, website updates, and accessibility to some physical spaces. Conclusion: The DEI Team is using the online survey data to enhance library services, staffing, programming, policies, and spaces. These improvements include looking into providing a space for patrons with families, expanding services for individuals whose first language is not English, assessing library accessibility for people with physical disabilities, and enhancing the physical space with quiet areas, improved lighting, and meditation spaces. Employee DEI training is ongoing, using results from a training needs survey to identify knowledge gaps. The library has a history of successful partnerships with campus entities, which will help the DEI Team to move forward with their work.

Telling lives in medicine: the impact of biography collections in medical education.

This article briefly discusses the value and impact of biography collections in medical education by illustrating the case of the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome (UCBM) Library. The UCBM Library collects, curates, and provides access to a special biography collection with the purpose of documenting the history of men and women who contributed in the field of medicine and related sciences. This article highlights the importance of academic medical libraries collecting biographical works in order to transmit knowledge and values in medical school curriculum.

Uso de la biblioteca médica por residentes de Medicina General Integral del municipio de Niquero / Use of the medical library by residents of Comprehensive General Medicine specialty in Niquero municipality

RESUMEN Fundamento: Las bibliotecas constituyen una fuente indispensable de recursos instructivos para la sociedad en general. En el campo de las Ciencias Médicas contribuyen a la formación de especialistas en Medicina General Integral. Objetivo: Determinar el uso que hacen de la Biblioteca Médica los residentes de la especialidad de Medicina General Integral del Policlínico "Ernesto Guevara" de Niquero. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo, de corte transversal. El universo de estudio estuvo conformado por los 51 residentes de esta especialidad. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos, empíricos y estadísticos-matemáticos (frecuencia absoluta y porcentaje). Las variables estudiadas fueron: frecuencia de visita, uso de los servicios prestados y las fuentes de información consultadas. Resultados: Predominaron los residentes que visitaban la biblioteca ocasionalmente (56.9 %). El servicio más demandado fue la búsqueda de información (92.2 %). La fuente de información que más se usó fue la consulta de revistas, el 96.1 % de los encuestados. Conclusiones: Teniendo en cuenta los resultados, existen fisuras en la interacción de los usuarios (médicos-residentes) con las oportunidades opciones que ofrece la Biblioteca Médica del municipio de Niquero, lo cual se evidencia en el limitado aprovechamiento que realizan de este servicio los futuros especialistas en Medicina General Integral.

ABSTRACT Background: Libraries are an indispensable source of instructional resources for society in general. In the field of Medical Sciences, they contribute to the training of specialists in Comprehensive General Medicine. Objective: To determine the use that residents of the Comprehensive General Medicine specialty of the `` Ernesto Guevara '' Polyclinic in Niquero make of the Medical Library. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive observational study was carried out. The study universe was made up of the 51 residents of this specialty. Theoretical, empirical and statistical-mathematical methods (absolute frequency and percentage) were used. The variables studied were: frequency of visits, use of the services provided and the sources of information consulted. Results: Residents who visited the library occasionally predominated, 56.9%. The information search was the service mostly known by them, 92.2%. The most requested source of information was the consultation of magazines, 96.1% of those surveyed. Conclusions: According to the results of the study, it is necessary to take full advantage of the strengths offered by the Medical Library in the municipality of Niquero to increase the informational competencies in residents of the Comprehensive General Medicine specialty, for their training with great scientificity.

The structure of qualitative studies: a bibliometric pattern of biomedical literature / A estrutura de estudos qualitativos: um padrão bibliométrico da literatura biomédica

Abstract The lack of knowledge in the biomedical literature regarding the validity of qualitative studies might be related to the lower number of qualitative studies that have been published. The criticisms range from a lack of theoretical depth to the superficial discussions of empirical findings. The aim of this study was to explore the bibliometric entities and the trends in the structure of qualitative research in the biomedical literature. A bibliometric analysis and mapping of the biomedical literature were used. The number of studies selected was 1,725. The heath themes with the most publications included Health Management (12%) and Women's Health (9.8%), while the authors of the studies had academic affiliation in 76 different countries. The sample sizes were between 11 and 20 participants (27.13%) and the Grounded Theory framework (9.04%) stood out. The improved structuring of a qualitative research extends the effective communication between health providers and researchers, and support in the management of clinical situations.

Resumo A dificuldade de entendimento na literatura biomédica sobre a validade dos estudos qualitativos pode estar relacionada ao menor número de estudos qualitativos publicados. As críticas também vão desde a falta de profundidade teórica até discussões pouco objetivas de descobertas empíricas. O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar padrões bibliométricos e as tendências na estrutura das pesquisas qualitativas na literatura biomédica. Utilizou-se análise bibliométrica e mapeamento da literatura biomédica. O número de estudos selecionados foi 1.725. Os temas de saúde com mais publicações incluíram Gestão em Saúde (12%) e Saúde da Mulher (9,8%), enquanto os autores dos estudos tiveram afiliação acadêmica em 76 países diferentes. O tamanho da amostra mais observado foi de 11 a 20 participantes (27,13%) e o referencial da Grounded Theory (9,04%) o mais utilizado. A estruturação aprimorada de uma pesquisa qualitativa amplia a comunicação eficaz entre profissionais de saúde e pesquisadores, além de apoiar o gerenciamento de situações clínicas.

Papel de la biblioteca médica en el Proceso Docente Educativo durante la COVID-19 / Role of the medical library in the Educational Teaching Process during the COVID-19

RESUMEN La Biblioteca Médica Área VI, perteneciente al Policínico Docente Universiatario Dr. ¨Ramón Claudio Delgado Amestoy¨ es un centro que brinda infomación a los usuarios internos y externos de la demarcación Consejo Popular Castillo- Cen.Es una institución que brinda diferentes servicios como centro especializado de las ciencias biomédicas, dando respuesta además a las necesidades formativas e informativas que emanan de los diferentes problemas de salud que se presentan en la comunidad. En este trabajo se identifican las acciones llevadas a cabo por el personal de la Biblioteca Médica para la reorganización del proceso docente educativo en tiempos de COVID-19.

ABSTRACT The Medical Library of the Academic Polyclinic Dr "Ramón Claudio Delgado Amestoy" Area VI,is a center that provides information to internal and external users of the Castillo- Cen Distrct .It is an institution that provides different services as a specialized center of biomedical sciences, giving a response in addition to the training and information needs from the different health problems that occur in the community. This research identifies the actions carried out by the staff of the Medical Library for the reorganization of the educational teaching process in COVID-19 times.

Digital Accommodations for Students Living with Print Disabilities: A Literature Review.

There is a growing base of literature describing the importance of improving access to digital and physical academic resources for students with print disabilities. This review aims to explore the experience of medical learners who are print disabled as it relates to improving access to digital and physical resources and removing encountered barriers in the medical library. By applying both the critical disability and self-efficacy theories to persons with print disabilities, librarians can understand learner behavior surrounding motivation, determination, and perceived challenges in using library resources and services.

Mirtha Yris Cedeño Rodríguez: una bibliotecaria médica de excelencia / Mirtha Yris Cedeño Rodríguez: a medical librarian of excellence i: en

Con este artículo se quiso realzar las cualidades humanas y el quehacer científico de Mirtha Yris Cedeño Rodríguez, bibliotecaria médica santiaguera, quien durante su etapa laboral se caracterizó por una actitud digna en la atención a numerosos profesionales de diversas especialidades biomédicas, mediante asesorías, docencia, búsquedas bibliográficas, entre otros servicios bibliotecarios, con lo cual contribuyó, desde su modesta tribuna, a la formación de ellos y a la mejoría de la salud pública en Cuba. Actualmente está felizmente jubilada.

With this work we wanted to enhance the human qualities and scientific daily tasks of Mirtha Yris Cedeño Rodríguez, medical librarian from Santiago de Cuba who was characterized by a worthy attitude in the service to many professionals of diverse biomedical specialties during her working years, by means of consultancies, teaching, literature searching, among other librarians services, with which contributed, from her modest tribune, to their training and improvement of the public health in Cuba. At the moment she is happily retired.

La biblioteca de hospital en Portugal: la visión de los bibliotecarios / Hospital libraries in Portugal: a librarian's view

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar la perspectiva profesional de los bibliotecarios y de las bibliotecas de hospital en Portugal y su proyección futura. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, por medio de una investigación no experimental, basada en un método de análisis cualitativo. Para este estudio se utilizó una muestra de 13 profesionales que, de alguna manera, tienen una conexión/conocimiento con el trabajo desarrollado en las bibliotecas hospitalarias. Se buscó disponer de una muestra que cubriera el país de norte a sur para que los resultados pudieran ser representativos de la realidad portuguesa. Los resultados indican que los profesionales que trabajan en las bibliotecas del área de salud en Portugal consideran que no existe una formación profesional específica para este campo con características muy particulares frente a otras realidades bibliotecarias. Además, estiman que los profesionales de la salud que trabajan en bibliotecas deberían estar integrados a los equipos clínicos y de investigación de sus instituciones. Por otra parte, dada la importancia que tiene hoy la medicina basada en la evidencia, se hace necesario el desarrollo de nuevos roles que los bibliotecarios deben asumir. También consideran que corresponde al bibliotecario de la salud asumir los desafíos, invertir en la actualización y adquisición continua de habilidades, fortalecer su papel en las instituciones en las que se inserta, y justificar, de este modo, el valor añadido de la profesión(AU)

The purpose of the study was to identify the professional perspective of hospital libraries and librarians in Portugal and their future projection. A qualitative non-experimental descriptive study was conducted of a sample of 13 professionals related to / acquainted with the work of hospital libraries. The sample was intended to cover the entire country from north to south, so that the results obtained would be representative of Portuguese reality. Results show that professionals from health libraries in Portugal consider that no specific professional training is available for this field, which is characterized by very particular features unique to this library type. They also think that health professionals working at libraries should be incorporated into the clinical and research teams of their institutions. On the other hand, and given the current importance of evidence-based medicine, it is necessary to develop new roles to be undertaken by librarians. They also consider that librarians should accept the challenges, invest time and energy in permanent skill acquisition and update, and strengthen their role at their institutions, thus justifying the added value of the profession(AU)

Using Contingent Medical Librarians to Address Workforce Staffing Dilemmas.

Experienced medical librarians have been recruited by Mayo Clinic to provide contingency staffing. Functioning as just-in-time librarians, a nontraditional staffing plan was introduced in 2016 to affordably lessen stressors caused by fluctuating demands for library services such as literature searching. Contingent medical librarians were also needed to provide staffing coverage during the absences of existing full-time librarians, particularly Mayo's librarians employed as solo librarians working in hospital and smaller academic libraries. A four-year, nontraditional staffing plan which incorporates contingent medical librarians has proved to be a helpful, affordable, and sustainable staffing alternative for the libraries at Mayo Clinic.

Reference to Stacks: Getting the Most out of Library Resources.

Changing patron demands, coupled with significant repurposing of library space, led the library to experience a marked decline in the usage of the print reference collection. Such a significant decrease challenged librarians to find new methods for promoting this still viable collection. It was decided to integrate the print reference books into the general library collection. After a year, circulation data demonstrated that by integrating collections, reference titles were now used more frequently.

Propuesta de actividades de extensión bibliotecaria para promover salud en población de un consultorio del policlínico Previsora de Camagüey / Proposal of library outreach health promotion activities intended for the population of Health Area 7 of Previsora polyclinic in Camagüey

Se realizó una investigación cuali-cuantitativa de tipo investigación-acción participativa con el objetivo de promover salud sobre las enfermedades de transmisión vectorial en la población perteneciente al consultorio No. 7 del médico de la familia, correspondiente al área de salud del policlínico Previsora, en Camagüey, en el periodo comprendido entre marzo y septiembre del año 2017. El universo se constituyó por 1 635 personas y se tomó una muestra de 250 de ellas a través de un muestreo aleatorio simple. El estudio consistió en la aplicación de instrumentos como la encuesta que se realizó a la población objeto de estudio y la observación. Los resultados obtenidos demostraron que existe desconocimiento en cuanto a cuáles son todas las enfermedades de transmisión vectorial que se manifiestan y sus vías de adquisición. Al concluir el diagnóstico, se confeccionó el sistema de actividades de extensión bibliotecaria. Los especialistas que se consultaron para su valoración destacaron la factibilidad de la propuesta y su pertinencia. Se recomienda implementar las actividades de extensión bibliotecaria propuestas y extender la experiencia a otras unidades de salud de la provincia(AU)

A qualitative-quantitative participatory action study was conducted from March to September 2017 to promote awareness of vector-borne diseases in the population of Health Area 7 of Previsora polyclinic in Camagüey. The study universe was composed of 1 635 people, from whom a sample of 250 was selected by simple random sampling. Analysis was based on the application of tools such as a survey applied to the study population and observation. Results show that there is ignorance about which vector-borne diseases occur in the area and their routes of transmission. Completion of the diagnostic stage was followed by the development of a library outreach system of activities. The specialists consulted for its validation highlighted the feasibility and relevance of the proposal. It is recommended to implement the library outreach activities proposed and extend the initiative to other health units in the province(AU)