The Reformation of Librarianship into Information Practice Michele Klein-Fedyshin, BSN, MSLS, RN, AHIP Health Sciences Library System Liaison Librarian-Psychiatry Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

Evolving concepts-the light bulb

Evolving Information Formats

Librarianship Evolving

How is Information Practice different? What is changing about the work of librarians that is redefining our profession? – New focus on aiding decisions and providing answers: going beyond running a search, retrieving citations and ing articles to appraisal, analysis, synthesis and interpretation as librarian/informationist services and products – Increased specialization and expectations – Greater accountability – New information specifications/standards arising

Definitions and Examples --Observation points or numerical values, e.g., The PSA is Data that has meaning, e.g., A normal PSA is < 4.0; 8 is high --Includes interpretation or analysis, e.g., After a prostatectomy, the PSA should drop. --Use of knowledge to manage or solve problems, e.g., If PSA continues to rise, the patient needs more testing. Adapted from C. Bartos with permission

How this translates into roles & functions Data Information Knowledge Wisdom Observations, implications Synthesis Interpretation, analysis Applying clinical judgment with knowledge from evidence-based reviews combined with the patient’s values

Definition of Information Practice ---the survey and application of information in a comprehensive, yet focused manner for a practical, specific use to affect a positive outcome in a particular situation (which facilitates the delivery of healthcare). Information Practice involves the appraisal, analysis, interpretation and relation of information to a particular situation. For the Information Practitioner, retrieval is just the beginning.

Maybe the Information Practitioner is a hybrid Standard vehicleHybrid Google Images 1970 Chevy Nova

Changing practice outputs/outcomes Output/outcomeExample Search methodology section of a systematic review Formal, reproducible, documented strategy Evidence TableTabular evaluation of references for implications Comparative research: For example on EHR- connectible knowledge-based information Tabular output comparing product features, usage Search protocol projectsPROMIS projects with step-by-step search protocols, keywords and controlled vocabulary terms. Clinic-ready synthesisActionable analysis, tailored to a specific patient or population

Goals for Information Practice (IP) Goal 1. To improve health and healthcare on both an individual and population level. The value-added IP components of analysis and synthesis enhance the utility of the IP who becomes an active part of the translational science and the solutions. Goal 2. To implement timely interventions for positive outcomes. IP’s may initiate their involvement at an early stage of the decision.

Goals for Information Practice, continued Goal 3. To define a Level of Practice that doesn’t focus only on the person (librarian) or place (library), but the products of Information Practice. Goal 4. To establish standards of IP which the institution can use to credential/rate their level of “knowleedge readiness”. Akin to “most-wired status” (most informed status?) Or hierarchy levels for trauma centers (Level 1 Knowledge Center?)

Existing use of “Information Practice” terminology Evidence-based Library and Information Practice journal and conference Implications for Practice sections in library journal articles Evidence-based practice for Information Professionals by Booth and Brice  N.B. However IP does not equal EBP, it uses it.  IP involves the concept of a professional practice. Librarianship as a vocation and not an avocation

Organizations promulgating information standards PRESS: Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies

Arising Standards for Information Practice

Standards in our future?? Concept Evidence-based search: e.g., NNR Number needed to retrieve Span of search: Number of databases needed to access Currency: Use of databases current to within 2 months Evidence How many citations are needed to retrieve to give due consideration? ( ) Information should come from 2 or more; database matters ( , ) Google Scholar has less currency than PubMed data ( )

Why are, and aren’t, these people calling us Librarians? -Despite this title, Ms Johnson goes on to say we are moving to “Information Scientists”. -In a recent article in the journal Chest entitled, “Backing up your statements: how to perform literature searches to prove your points.” -The author recommended that “a professional information specialist should be engaged” before claiming ‘the literature shows that’…” From :This book is Overdue! By Marilyn Johnson, copyright info courtesy of HarperCollins Publisher.

PubMed Search, 3/22/2010 PhraseNumber of Citations Retrieved bioinformationist*2 embedd* librarian*5 expert search*23 informatician*139 information practic*49 information scientist*24 information specialist* context*10 informationist41 knowledge broker*32 “knowledge translation”351 librarian*2069 librarianship*260 search specialist3

Calls for Professional IP British NHS study suggests that the number of trained Clinical Librarians be increased from 50 to 800 to answer the need for such a professional Davidoff and Florance called for development of a “national program, modeled on the experience of clinical librarianship, to train, credential and pay for the services of information specialists.” Knowledge broker/knowledge translation definition (CHSRF): a dynamic and iterative process that includes the synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve health…

Where do we go from here? Credentialing: - Joint degrees? e.g., JD/MLS -Certificate programs? -Domain knowledge Organizational recognition: -Specialty departments in library organizations, such as Molecular Biology, Clinical Services, Translational Sciences Continued NLM Informationist Funding -Ten years post Davidoff and Florance, the jobs are beginning to appear -Need more “meta-information” on specialist (e.g., clinical) questions, relationship to care Continue to emphasize the importance of knowledge standards -Embrace organizations that promote data driven decisions and search methodologies -Use the phrase Information Practice and develop the concept Vail Pass. Jeff Royston, 11/18/06. interstate guide.com

Acknowledgements: I would like to acknowledge Margaret Bandy and Roz Dudden, co-editors of the upcoming MLA Guide for editing my chapter and focusing my thoughts. Read all about it in the forthcoming, MLA Guide To Managing Health Care Libraries