Jane Farmer

Information professionals, CPD and transferable skills

Argues that the workplace of today is in a state of perpetual change and that individuals across the professions are faced with economic cutbacks, managerial reorganization and staff downsizing. In order to cope with/adapt to these changes, professionals have been forced to consider the issue of continuing professional development (CPD). Reports on a questionnaire survey sent out UK‐wide to 175 information professionals in the health and energy/oil sectors. The survey was designed to gain a flavour of these professionals’ attitudes to CPD and to identify their transferable skills. Addresses the problems of a changing workplace, the difficulties attached to career progression for information professionals and the growing need for CPD.

Taking stock: career planning for isolated, middle‐level professionals

Middle‐level professionals working in one‐person library or information units, usually women, frequently experience obstacles to career progression, which are seen as insurmountable. Examines some of these obstacles, and suggests a possible approach to career planning incorporating a number of different strategies for change.

Decision-making by health purchasing organisations in Scotland: the role and influence of evidence from the research literature

Evidence-based health care is currently receiving much attention in the health service. The movement is of particular interest to health information professionals, as it is a chance for them to show their skills and achieve credibility after years in the wilderness. However, to what extent is managers’ use of research findings in the purchasing and provision of health care merely so much rhetoric? The research reported here is the first phase of a study which aims to look at the impact of the Scottish Health Purchasing Information Centre (SHPIC) in providing information intended to change purchasing and providing behaviour. This phase of the project involved a survey of Scottish purchasers, which examined use of evidence from research in making purchasing decisions. Findings from the study seem to indicate that, although most are aware of the movement towards evidence-based health care and agree with its ethos, there are several very real barriers to change.

A framework of the transferable skills of information professionals

Describes a research project for the British Library Research and Innovation Centre which identified and analysed the generic skills and competences of information professionals in the healthcare and oil industry sectors. The study and its findings are described in a pack which is included with this issue of Library Management.

Education for a New Health Information Profession

These are tremendously exciting times for the health information community. Several exciting initiatives and concepts are moving health information professionals out of the perceived confines of traditional libraries into new and challenging areas of work. For example, health information professionals are learning the skills of critical and economic appraisal, high precision searching techniques and research design, as well as the interactive skills required to work optimally with subject-based practitioners. Committed health information professionals are leading the way forward for fellow professionals in other sectors of information work by extending the base and enhancing the status of their skills.

Getting better: health information provision in Guernsey

Describes briefly the results of research carried out to look at the provision of health information for consumers on the Channel Island of Guernsey. The research utilized a three‐pronged survey to examine the views of the general public, recent hospital in‐patients and health professionals. These groups were asked to provide their views on the information currently available to them, the sources used and their degree of satisfaction with what was currently available. Respondents were also asked what could be done to improve health information provision on the island. Parallel to this, an independent audit of information sources on the island was carried out. Results establish a baseline on which plans for developing an island‐wide policy can be built. They show that there is a dearth of good information available. Consumers ask for more to be provided by health professionals and provide a number of ideas which can be used by policy makers to develop services. Concludes that current opinion would seem to ...

Project 2000 and nursing college libraries in Scotland: The experience of development and implementation for the first wave of project 2000 students

Sets out to examine the ill of how nursing college libraries in Scotland developed ill services to cope with the new demands implied in the ill 2000 curriculum. Looks at the experience for libraries ill with the first wave of Project 2000 students. Seeks ill whether many of the problems experienced in England ill repeated in Scotland or whether lessons have ill . A postal survey of nursing college libraries in ill was conducted followed by in‐depth interviews with a ill of libraries. Observes issues such as funding, ill with other institutions, use of stock, etc. Results seeill that Scottish nursing college libraries have coped ill changes for a number of reasons including professional ill and involvement in planning. However, the study ill possible ongoing or future strategic and organizaill which may militate against a satisfactory ill scenario.