The role of librarians in teaching evidence-based medicine to pediatric residents: a survey of pediatric residency program directors

Authors

  • Rachel Boykan Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY
  • Robert M. Jacobson Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2017.178

Keywords:

Librarians, Education, Medical, Evidence-Based Medicine, Pediatrics, Internship and Residency, Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract

Objective: The research sought to identify the general use of medical librarians in pediatric residency training, to define the role of medical librarians in teaching evidence-based medicine (EBM) to pediatric residents, and to describe strategies and curricula for teaching EBM used in pediatric residency training programs.

Methods: We sent a 13-question web-based survey through the Association of Pediatric Program Directors to 200 pediatric residency program directors between August and December 2015.

Results: A total of 91 (46%) pediatric residency program directors responded. Most (76%) programs had formal EBM curricula, and more than 75% of curricula addressed question formation, searching, assessment of validity, generalizability, quantitative importance, statistical significance, and applicability. The venues for teaching EBM that program directors perceived to be most effective included journal clubs (84%), conferences (44%), and morning report (36%). While 80% of programs utilized medical librarians, most of these librarians assisted with scholarly or research projects (74%), addressed clinical questions (62%), and taught on any topic not necessarily EBM (58%). Only 17% of program directors stated that librarians were involved in teaching EBM on a regular basis. The use of a librarian was not associated with having an EBM curriculum but was significantly associated with the size of the program. Smaller programs were more likely to utilize librarians (100%) than were medium (71%) or large programs (75%).

Conclusions: While most pediatric residency programs have an EBM curriculum and engage medical librarians in various ways, librarians’ expertise in teaching EBM is underutilized. Programs should work to better integrate librarians’ expertise, both in the didactic and clinical teaching of EBM.

Author Biographies

Rachel Boykan, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook NY

Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

Robert M. Jacobson, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN


Professor of Pediatrics

Downloads

Published

2017-10-02

Issue

Section

Surveys and Studies