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THE CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL SOCIETY LIBRARY.

Four hundred sixty-eight medical societies in the United States were surveyed to determine those which sponsor libraries. Seventy-eight libraries were identified, of which eighteen are "marginal" and nine are jointly supported by a medical school and a society, leaving fifty-one relatively "substantial" libraries whose major support is through society membership. Characteristics measured include size of collection, types of media, staff, budget, services, and sources of support. Questions are raised concerning the role of the medical library as one institution which participates in the continuing education of the physician.

Budgets↗

Biomedical journal title changes: reasons, trends, and impact.

A study was conducted to document the impact of biomedical journal title changes on medical libraries and to increase awareness of the reasons titles are changed. The study consisted of two parts: a survey of academic health sciences libraries in the United States and Canada and an analysis of title changes from two different years. The survey response rate was 83%. The majority of respondents commented on difficulties in identifying and processing title changes, often resulting in the delay or loss of information. The analysis revealed that a third of title changes were not justified by the journal. The study results substantiate the need to standardize title change reporting by publishers. A standard developed by the National Information Standards Organization requires publishers to conform to standardized practices for notification. This standard precisely reflects the concerns reflected in both the survey and the study of title changes, and librarians are urged to ensure that the standard is implemented by publishers.

Forms and Records Control↗

The World Health Organization Library (Geneva) and Health Literature Services Programme.

The origins and functions of the World Health Organization (WHO) Library and the global, regional, and national objectives of the WHO Health Literature Services Program (HLSP) are reviewed. WHO is an aggregate of nations and not a supra-national body. With limited resources and unlimited needs, HLSP is involved in surveys, training, regional medical libraries, national and regional networks, bibliographic services and document delivery, promotion, coordination, and communication. The basic concept of HLSP eschews internationally-conceived, self-contained technical projects in favor of broad programs based on national planning. Small rural centers receive more attention than large urban hospitals, and preventive medicine together with health education and community involvement are of more immediate concern than curative medicine. National self-reliance implies national initiative but not necessarily national self-sufficiency. Recent planning and implementation of HLSP activities are described.

Information Systems↗

The allergenic acarofauna of house dust from dwellings, hospitals, libraries and institutes in Upper Silesia (Poland).

A survey of dust samples from dwellings, hospitals and some public utilities (libraries, institutes) in several Upper Silesian towns was undertaken to determine the prevalence, number and species of mites. Total seasonal dynamics of dust mite species of the family Pyroglyphidae in dust from beds, floors/carpets and upholstery furniture in dwellings was analysed. Over a 4-years period, 402 dust samples were studied: 238 samples from dwellings, 122 samples from hospitals, 14 from libraries and 28 from institutes. Mites were present in 51.3%, 50.0%, 21.3% and 17.9% of dust samples from dwellings, libraries, hospitals and institutes, respectively. Generally, they were found in 160 samples (39.8%) out of 402 examined. The majority of mites (96.0%) were found in samples from the dwellings, especially in dust from upholstery furniture, couches, sofas and beds. More than 30 mite species were found of which the most abundant and common were pyroglyphids, especially Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae. The pyroglyphid mites constituted 89.2%, 78.9% and 57.5% of a total count of mites collected from dwellings, libraries and hospitals, respectively, and were not found in institutes. D. pteronyssinus was the dominant, especially in libraries and hospitals, however, in dwellings D. farinae was more abundant per 1 gram of dust as the former species. Another pyroglyphid mite, Euroglyphus maynei, occurred in very small numbers. The highest mite densities per gram of dust were noted in dwellings and libraries. A mean number of mites per 1 gram of dust from dwellings was 73.7 +/- 182.9 (range 1.0 - 1560.0), whereas mean values of indoor relative humidity and temperature were 64.5% RH and 22.7 degrees C, respectively. The low mean indoor relative humidity of ambient air, resulted in the relatively low mite frequency (only about 51.3% of samples were positive for mites) and density detected in the dwellings.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Developing multidisciplinary library services in trust hospitals: a case study at the City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust.

The paper describes an example of good practice in the establishment of multidisciplinary library services at a Trust hospital. In 1995, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust commissioned a survey to determine their needs for library services for all staff. The results of the survey and the recommendations are described. The Trust's further actions are briefly noted. This case study is set into the wider context of the need for well-resourced library and information services within the NHS. The constraints under which such developments operate are listed.

Accreditation↗

The changing status of hospital libraries 1984 to 1989: characteristics and services in Region 7 of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine.

Economic and political factors have had far-reaching effects on hospital libraries in the last decade, but quantitative evidence of these changes is not readily available. Through periodic evaluation surveys within its multistate region, the Pacific Southwest Regional Medical Library Service, the Regional Medical Library for Region 7 of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (formerly the Regional Medical Library Network) has monitored hospital library changes over the years. This paper compares data from a 1989 survey with similar information gathered in 1984. Longitudinal analysis was performed on responses from 188 hospitals that responded to both the 1984 and the 1989 survey, as was cross-sectional analysis of all responses from both surveys. Results showed a small decrease in the number of hospitals with separate library collections. Staffing patterns had changed considerably, with a drop of approximately one entire full-time salaried equivalent per library and a decrease in libraries managed by a librarian with an M.L.S. The libraries that provide all of a set of predefined core services and resources decreased from 61% in 1984 to 44% in 1989. Libraries with M.L.S. staff were more likely to have core services than those without professional staff.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

Development of methodologic tools for planning and managing library services. II. Measuring a library's capability for providing documents.

A method of measuring a library's capability for providing the documents its users need has been developed. The library is tested with a representative sample of such documents to determine how long would be required for users to obtain these documents. Test results are expressed in terms of a Capability Index, which has a maximal value of 100 only if all the sample documents are found "on shelf." Specific tests employing samples of 300 documents have been developed that are appropriate for academic and for "reservoir" biomedical libraries. Realistic field trials have demonstrated that these two tests are practical to administer and that test results are adequately reproducible. When strict comparability is not important, a library can test itself. In assessing a reservoir library, test results are supplemented by data on its typical processing time for interlibrary loan requests. Currently these tests are being used in a national survey. The general method is applicable to other types of libraries, provided appropriate test samples are established. If their limitations are clearly understood, these "Document Delivery Tests" can be valuable tools for planning and managing library services.

Information Services↗

The status of women in the administration of health sciences libraries: a five-year follow-up study, 1972-1977.

A follow-up survey was conducted in 1977, five years after a previous survey of head librarians in large biomedical libraries, to assess changes that had occurred in the representation of women in top administrative positions. Results for the 126 libraries that responded are reported in six category groupings, with comparative figures for 1977, 1972, and 1950. Also reported are data on head librarian and associate librarian positions and on the appointment rate of women and men to head librarian posts that became vacant from 1972 to 1977. Despite a large number of vacancies and turnover, which provided an opportunity for change to have occurred, the most striking aspect of the 1977 survey is the similarity of its results to those of the 1972 survey. Women made up over three-fourths of the librarian work force and held considerably less than one-half of the head librarian positions.

Female↗

Medical school libraries in the United States and Canada built between 1961 and 1971.

Twenty-four medical school libraries in the United States and Canada built between 1961 and 1971 were surveyed by means of questionnaires and visits. Results indicated that half of these libraries will have reached maximum functional capacity approximately six years after they moved into their new quarters. Space for technical processing is generally much less than required. Special features and examples of effective planning are described, and problems in arrangement, traffic patterns for people and materials, and the lack of logical expansion space are discussed. Comparisons are made with a similar survey of twenty medical school libraries made in 1961.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Medical school libraries in the United States and Canada built between 1961 and 1971.

Twenty-four medical school libraries in the United States and Canada build between 1961 and 1971 were surveyed by means of questionnaires and visits. Results indicated that half of these libraries will have reached maximum functional capacity approximately six years after they were moved into their new quarters. Space for technical processing is generally much less than is required. Special features and examples of effective planning are described, and problems in arrangement, traffic patterns for people and materials, and the lack of logical expansion space are discussed. Comparisons are made with a similar survey of twenty medical school libraries made in 1961.

Canada↗

Web-based Loansome Doc, librarians, and end users: results from a survey of the Southeast Region.

OBJECTIVES: The study examines how Loansome Doc services are implemented and used by libraries in the Southeast Region and describe end users' experiences with and attitudes toward Loansome Doc. METHODS: 251 active DOCLINE libraries and 867 Loansome Doc users were surveyed. RESULTS: Roughly one half of the libraries offered Loansome Doc services. Of those that did not, most indicated no plans to offer it in the future. The majority had a small number of end users and experienced minimal increases in interlibrary loan activity. Problems were relatively rare. Satisfaction with Loansome Doc was high among all types of libraries. End users were usually physicians or other health care professionals who requested articles for research and patient care. Most learned about Loansome Doc through PubMed or Internet Grateful Med. End users appeared to be largely self-taught or received informal instruction in Loansome Doc. Loansome Doc filled document requests in a timely manner, and end users reported being satisfied with the service. CONCLUSIONS: Greater promotion of what Loansome Doc is and how it can benefit libraries can increase the number of participating libraries. While satisfaction of Loansome Doc end users is high, satisfaction could be increased with more help on the PubMed screen, more library training, and faster delivery methods.

Consumer Behavior↗

Usefulness of a patient library in a suburban general practice.

OBJECTIVES: To provide health information by means of a patient library in an Australian general practice, and to examine the effects of such information on patient knowledge, anxiety and behaviour. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey of patients who borrowed library items and of doctors within the practice. SETTING: A five-doctor suburban practice serving approximately 7000 patients. RESULTS: 210 items were purchased and made available for loan over the two years of the study; 164 questionnaires were obtained after 229 borrowings in the first 15 months. Patients who borrowed items were mostly women (88%) and a high proportion of borrowers (47%) felt that the doctors' surgery was their main source of health information. 98% felt that borrowing an item had been "useful" or "very useful", 88% felt that it had increased their knowledge, 48% felt it had decreased their anxiety, and 79% felt it had changed their behaviour. The doctors were generally positive about the library. CONCLUSIONS: The practice library was a very useful addition to the surgery services and provided a valuable clinical tool for the doctors.

Anxiety↗

Chiropractic college libraries in the United States and Canada, 1981-1982.

Libraries in thirteen chiropractic colleges in the United States and Canada were surveyed in 1981/82. Data include operating expenditures, library resources, staffing levels and salaries, and size of physical plant. The survey identified wide differences among the population in all variables measured.

Canada↗

Consumer health information: libraries as partners.

The need for consumer health information delivery is becoming more evident to librarians. The results of a user survey at a large medical center library and a metropolitan public library confirm that the general public is making demands for health information at both types of libraries. Issues facing librarians are discussed; roles are suggested for public libraries, for academic health sciences libraries, and for hospital libraries. The importance of library involvement in the delivery of consumer health information is emphasized. Librarians are urged to define a role for themselves and to work hard at identifying the library profession to all others involved in the delivery of consumer health information.

Forecasting↗

Selected lists of journals for the small medical library: a comparative analysis.

The results of a survey and weighted summary of all major suggested journal subscription lists for hospital libraries are described. A total of ninety-one titles taken from 255 titles examined is listed under thirty-three subject headings. Contrasts are made of the titles and subject headings employed by others, and the potential of Stearns' "core collection" concept for small medical libraries is dealt with in detail.

Journal Article↗

Quality of life assessment of randomized controlled trials.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: According to the USA Food and Drug Administration, quality of life (QOL) and/or survival are a priority for new anticancer drug approval. This study was performed to review approaches to QOL in randomized controlled clinical trials (RCCTs) and to survey the use of such measures in trials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature survey was carried out using the Medline/Medscape, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid databases. Included in the survey were all publications in the set period (from 1966 to June 2005) with "quality of life" in the title or in the abstract in the field of "randomized, controlled clinical trials". Each trial was evaluated according to the level of importance of QOL as a measure of outcome (primary, important and secondary) and was analyzed using the quality scoring system reported by Nicolucci et al. with some items regarding QOL. RESULTS: Four hundred and five RCCT articles in the oncology setting were found. Fifty-six of the 405 (13.8%) publications had QOL as primary end point. The overall quality score of these trials ranged from 40% to 100%, with a median overall score of 80%. The overall score was correlated with the year of publication (P = 0.007), the type of journal (P = 0.05), the presence of a biostatistician among the authors (P = 0.001), and the number of participating institutions (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: More attention to QOL in all components of RCCTs (design, choice of instruments, data management and processing) is required from both clinicians and statisticians.

Humans↗

Area health education centers and health science library services.

A study to determine the impact that the Area Health Education Center type of programs may have on health science libraries was conducted by the Extramural Programs, National Library of Medicine, in conjunction with a contract awarded by the Bureau of Health Manpower, Health Resources Administration, to develop an inventory of the AHEC type of projects in the United States. Specific study tasks included a review of these programs as they relate to library and information activities, on-site surveys on the programs to define their needs for library services and information, and a categorization of library activities. A major finding was that health science libraries and information services are generally not included in AHEC program planning and development, although information and information exchange is a fundamental part of the AHEC type of programs. This study suggests that library inadequacies are basically the result of this planning failure and of a lack of financial resources; however, many other factors may be contributory. The design and value of library activities for these programs needs explication.

Area Health Education Centers↗