ICML 2009: Meeting Room 2 Session19

Theme: Partnerships and Collaborations

Time: 16.00-17.15
Date: Wednesday 2nd September 2009
Chair: J Michael Homan

The Hunter Librarian
Mr Richard N German, University of Otago., New Zealand
Mr Paul C Barham, University of Otago, New Zealand

Richard German has been the Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Otago since 2005. Prior to the current post he worked for a decade in Higher Education and NHS Libraries in Glasgow, Scotland
Paul Barham is the Subject Liaison Librarian for the Hunter Centre project. Prior to moving to Dunedin from Wellington, he worked as a reference librarian at IHC New Zealand, NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants, Inland Revenue and the Parliamentary Library.

Abstract
This paper reports the evaluation of a five-month project delivering library services to support a new initiative of the University of Otago Faculty of Medicine.

The Faculty has revised its undergraduate medical curriculum to place a much greater emphasis on collaborative, case-based, small group and self-directed learning, with patient contact introduced in the first week. This new curriculum demanded a different approach to space provision and a new facility, known as the Hunter Centre, opened in mid-2008 with small and large teaching rooms, study ‘pods’, computer resources room, cafeteria and social spaces – but no library.

With a new curriculum and facility, a new approach to Library support was mandated. The core service consisted of a subject liaison librarian, equipped with a laptop and portable phone, without an office, working alongside students and staff in the Hunter Centre.

This approach was based on the idea of an information suite (developed by the Welch Medical Library at Johns Hopkins University; see www.welch.jhu.edu/services/information_suites.html) which is a model for delivering collaborative information services from a liaison librarian; it does not include a collection of print books and journals and is not a satellite library or dedicated library space.

Partnerships Maximize Skill Sets and Minimize Time Commitment: librarian, clinician, organization specialist, and drug information specialist collaboration to deliver the Informatics Rotation
Gale G Hannigan, Texas A&M University, United States
Suma Pokala, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, United States (Presenter)
Ms Bobbie Ann A White, Texas A&M HSC College of Medicine, United States
Dr Melinda Edwards, University of Texas at Austin, United States

Dr. Suma Pokala is currently working as an internist  at Central Texas VA Health care System and is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas, USA. She has been teaching medical students and residents  for 19 years. She enjoys teaching and believes in lifelong learning and teaching the students the skills to be a lifelong learner. She likes to  make the learning experience fun.

Abstract
Objectives: The Internal Medicine Informatics Rotation is an interprofessional collaborative effort that supports the Society of General Internal Medicine/Clerkship Directors, Internal Medicine (SGIM/CDIM) Core Medicine Clerkship Curriculum through learning activities that reinforce the knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with Clinical Core Competency #8: Self-directed learning. All third-year medical students, in groups of 3-5, complete the 20-hour Informatics Rotation during a week of Outpatient Medicine.

Methods: During the rotation each student; 1) critically appraises and presents a current clinical research article; and 2) formulates and locates the best evidence to answer three patient-based clinical questions. The organizational specialist orients students to the rotation, posts daily activities, and provides instruction and advice for developing effective presentations. The librarian guides the students in critically reviewing their articles, reviews evidence-based medicine principles, and provides assistance in searching the literature. The clinician reviews and responds to the clinical questions and answers, and gives feedback during practice presentations. The drug information specialist teaches students to use the hospital’s drug information system.

Results: The Informatics Rotation has been a graded part of the clerkship since 2000. When one member of the teaching team is not available, it is essential that someone with the same skill set cover. Through local support and teleconferencing, students on another campus now participate in the rotation.

Conclusion: By sharing responsibilities for the rotation, it is possible to deliver a time-consuming educational activity with at least one instructor always available to students.

Egyptian Pilot Study for a Global Database of Cancer Control in Developing Countries
Mr Mark Lodge, International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research UK (Oxford), United Kingdom

Mark Lodge is the Director of Programme Development of the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR) and works in Oxford UK. Prior to joining INCTR he was the Convenor of the Cochrane Cancer Network and organised the Cochrane - Health Libraries Group Prize competitions (2000-2005).

Abstract
70% of global cancer mortality occurs in low/middle income countries (LMIC) where cancer is killing more people than malaria TB and HIV/AIDS combined (WHO). Evidence for cancer control planning is largely derived from studies conducted in advanced higher income countries that may offer little practical benefit to clinicians working with reduced resources in LMIC. Reports of studies conducted in LMIC are often harder to access.

The International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, European School of Oncology and National Cancer Institute, Cairo are collaborating on a study to assess the difficulties of accessing reports published in a LMIC. A search was conducted of the Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute [(JENCI] (2000-2007) and the Yearbooks of the National Cancer Institute, Cairo [YNCI] (2000-2006) for published reports of original research in breast cancer, bladder cancer, lymphoma, paediatric cancer and palliative care reported in Egypt 2000-2007. Results were compared with electronic searches of four databases:Medline, Embase, Scopus and PsycLit. 865 studies met the inclusion criteria. Only 81 (9%) studies were indexed on all four databases and 129 (15%) were not indexed on any of the databases. 50% of the studies published in JENCI and YNCI were indexed on the 4 databases.

INCTR is keen to collaborate with libraries in LMIC to build up a specialized Database of Cancer Control in Developing Countries that can help ensure that the outcomes of research studies relevant to populations in LMIC are made more easily accessible for the development of evidence-based national cancer control plans.