The Informationist ConceptsIssuesQuestions Julie J. McGowan, Ph.D.

Informationist Concepts Informationist in a Clinical Setting Informationist in a Clinical Setting Informationist in a Research Setting Informationist in a Research Setting Education of an Informationist Education of an Informationist

Clinical Informationist 30 Years and Counting 30 Years and Counting –Clinical Medical Librarianship Acceptance and Credibility Acceptance and Credibility –Service or team member –Education and Training Resistance Resistance –Cultural; Financial –Informationist v. Informatician Pay Pay

Research Informationist Researchers dont know they need help Researchers dont know they need help Informationist supporting research v. informationist doing research Informationist supporting research v. informationist doing research Content knowledge is key Content knowledge is key Education and training must fit culture Education and training must fit culture Position can be supported by research grants, joint departmental partnerships – library & research department. Position can be supported by research grants, joint departmental partnerships – library & research department.

Informationists Education Basic Skills Basic Skills –Library science or something else? –Need to acquire contextual information Definition of product Definition of product More course work or apprenticeships? More course work or apprenticeships? How do we get critical mass of educators, mentors? How do we get critical mass of educators, mentors? Passion for the profession key Passion for the profession key

Global Informationist Issues Multiple Extant Models Multiple Extant Models –No single definition Concept is not widely known nor accepted Concept is not widely known nor accepted Is need driven by growth in medical literature or import of having information management skills in clinics & labs? Is need driven by growth in medical literature or import of having information management skills in clinics & labs? Requisite knowledge & skills dependent upon definition of position Requisite knowledge & skills dependent upon definition of position

Global Informationist Issues Education & Training Education & Training –Predicated on Informationist Definitions –Multiple models including apprenticeships and formal mentoring by clinicians or researchers Should Credentialing, Licensure be considered? Should Credentialing, Licensure be considered? Potential for funding is key, yet questionable Potential for funding is key, yet questionable

Key Questions How should informationists acquire knowledge and expertise in clinical and research settings? How should informationists acquire knowledge and expertise in clinical and research settings? –Flexible models [recruitment, personal traits] How should informationistss services be funded in clinical and research settings? How should informationistss services be funded in clinical and research settings? –Requires proof of concept, then multiple models

Key Questions How should informationistss services be marketed in clinical and research settings? How should informationistss services be marketed in clinical and research settings? –Internally, situation dependent; externally, publish case studies, successes How can the informationist concept be tested and implemented in clinical and research settings? How can the informationist concept be tested and implemented in clinical and research settings? –Collaborative pilot studies

Key Questions How can we assess the value of an informationist? How can we assess the value of an informationist? –Define cost/benefit with variable outcome measures Next Steps… Next Steps…

Need for Informationists is Clear; Opportunities are Less So Realizing the Vision…