Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Ann Poyner and Aileen Wood London Library & Information Development Unit (LLIDU) Workforce Development Directorate NHS Executive, London London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry The People Twelve female flexible trainees (working part- time) in psychiatry with very tight work and domestic schedules. Plus a Project Officer London Library & Information Development Unit 2001 The Problems Lack of access to IT training. Poor searching skills. Limited use of electronic sources of information.

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Help for these Flexible Trainees The London Library & Information Development Unit proposed a pilot project to offer training to the flexible trainees responding to their individual needs. The London Deanery supported and funded this millennium year project. London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Project Aim The aim of the project was to provide one to one information skills training at home for those taking taking part in the project, to enable the flexible trainees to improve their IT and searching skills and gain confidence in their continued use. London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Project Objectives At the end of the project all participants able to: Construct good search strategies Navigate the Internet and WWW Exploit electronic sources of information Use office applications software Regularly use Gain confidence in using computers London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Project Methods and Visits A laptop computer and printer were provided for each flexible trainee to use during the project. The one year project was funded to allow four individual home training visits. Five half-day workshops were offered. A questionnaire recorded skills pre and post training. An evaluation exercise of five tasks was set. London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Workshop Topics Microsoft Windows software Word and PowerPoint software Searching techniques Internet sources of information The Cochrane Library How to search the PubMed database communication London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Progress All flexible trainees were very pleased to take part in this innovative project and wanted to succeed. They made good progress. Only eight trainees scheduled four home visits. Those who attended all or some of the workshop sessions improved their skills significantly. London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Results of improvements in searching techniques London Library & Information Development Unit 2001 Pre- course Post- Course 1 Formulating a search strategy 3(25%)10(83%) 2 Confidence using MeSH headings 0(0%)8(67%) 3 Familiarity with Boolean operators 0(0%)9(75%) 4 Methods of limiting searches 1(8%)10(83%) 5 Use of quality filters 1(8%)7(58%)

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Evaluation Exercise Tasks To be sent using /post Prepare a current CV. Create a six slide PowerPoint presentation. Search Medline demonstrating search strategy techniques, and the use of MeSH & Boolean operators. Search and retrieve a systematic review from the Cochrane Library. Draft a personal statement in relation to project experience. London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry Observations The key feature was the liberating impact of the provision of a dedicated computer. Regular computer use was central to the development of confidence and competence. Home training visits allowed private admission of problems and maximised training time. Training notes and topic specific exercises developed during the project were well used. London Library & Information Development Unit 2001

Distance Learning Project Supporting Flexible Trainees in Psychiatry The Future There are plans to develop a second phase of this project and offer information skills training to 50 flexible trainees and other disadvantaged doctors over a one year period. Training to be based on the cost effective workshop model. Training notes and exercises to be developed as a web based tutorial package. London Library & Information Development Unit 2001