Using scenario-based training to promote information literacy among on-call consultant pediatricians

Authors

  • Jonas Pettersson MLIS, Medical Library, Sahlgrenska University Hospital http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4373-3055
  • Emil Bjorkander MLIS, Medical Library, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
  • Sirpa Bark Lecturer, Hospital Library, Södra Älvsborgs hospital, Borås, Sweden, and Library and Information Science, Högskolan Borås
  • Daniel Holmgren MD, PhD, Department of Paediatrics, Skaraborg Hospital, Skövde, and Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
  • Per Wekell MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, NU-Hospital Group, Uddevalla, Sweden, and Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2017.79

Keywords:

Pediatrics, On Call Consultants, Scenario Training

Abstract

Background: Traditionally, teaching hospital staff to search for medical information relies heavily on educator-defined search methods. In contrast, the authors describe our experiences using real-time scenarios to teach on-call consultant pediatricians information literacy skills as part of a two-year continuing professional development program.

Case Presentation: Two information-searching workshops were held at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. During the workshops, pediatricians were presented with medical scenarios that were closely related to their clinical practice. Participants were initially encouraged to solve the problems using their own preferred search methods, followed by group discussions led by clinical educators and a medical librarian in which search problems were identified and overcome. The workshops were evaluated using questionnaires to assess participant satisfaction and the extent to which participants intended to implement changes in their clinical practice and reported actual change.

Conclusions: A scenario-based approach to teaching clinicians how to search for medical information is an attractive alternative to traditional lectures. The relevance of such an approach was supported by a high level of participant engagement during the workshops and high scores for participant satisfaction, intended changes to clinical practice, and reported benefits in actual clinical practice.

Downloads

Published

2017-07-07

Issue

Section

Case Report