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”

Should this program (literature searching) be part of the curriculum PROGRAMS Answer About 95% said “YES”! Should this program (literature searching) be part of the curriculum Yes No Not sure No answer Total 1182 6 51 13 1252(Nos) 94.5 0.5 4 1 100 (%)

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 Next Then 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 Going ahead “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