Language
English
Publication Date
1986
Journal
Journal of the Medical Library Association
PMID
14762460
PMCID
PMC314100
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
January 2004
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-Print
Abstract
Clinical medical librarianship is entering its second decade, but little evaluative data has accrued in the literature. Variations from the original programs and novel new approaches have insured the survival of the program so far. The clinical librarian (CL) forms a vital link between the library and the health care professional, operating as an important information transfer agent. However, to further insure the survival of these vital programs, hard evaluative evidence is needed. The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston began a CL Program in 1978/79. An extensive three-year pre/post evaluation study was conducted using a specifically developed evaluation model, which, if adopted by others, will provide the needed comparative data. Both a pilot study, or formative evaluation, and a summative evaluation were conducted. The results of this evaluation confirmed many of the conclusions reported by other CL programs. Eight hypotheses were proposed at the beginning of this study. Data were collected and used to support acceptance or rejection of the null hypotheses, and conclusions were drawn according to the results. Implications relevant to the study conclusions and future trends in medical librarianship are also discussed in the closing chapter.
Recommended Citation
Elizabeth King Eaton, "Evaluation and Model of a Clinical Librarian Program" (1986). Library Staff Publications. 13.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/library_docs/13
Comments
Dissertation written at the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Galveston.