Suzanne Shurtz

Evaluation of best practices in the design of online evidence-based practice instructional modules

OBJECTIVES The research determined to what extent best practices are being followed by freely available online modules aimed at teaching critical thinking and evidence-based practices (EBPs) in health sciences fields. METHODS In phase I, an evaluation rubric was created after reviewing the literature. Individual rubric questions were assigned point values and grouped into sections, and the sections weighted. Phase II involved searching Internet platforms to locate online EBP modules, which were screened to determine if they met predetermined criteria for inclusion. Phase III comprised a first evaluation, in which two authors assessed each module, followed by a second evaluation of the top-scoring modules by five representatives from different health sciences units. RESULTS The rubrics 28 questions were categorized into 4 sections: content, design, interactivity, and usability. After retrieving 170 online modules and closely screening 91, 42 were in the first evaluation and 8 modules were in the second evaluation. Modules in the first evaluation earned, on average, 59% of available points; modules in the second earned an average of 68%. Both evaluations had a moderate level of inter-rater reliability. CONCLUSIONS The rubric was effective and reliable in evaluating the modules. Most modules followed best practices for content and usability but not for design and interactivity. IMPLICATIONS By systematically collecting and evaluating instructional modules, the authors found many potentially useful elements for module creation. Also, by reviewing the limitations of the evaluated modules, the authors were able to anticipate and plan ways to overcome potential issues in module design.

Assessing User Preferences to Circulate iPads in an Academic Medical Library

Librarians at Texas A&M Universitys Medical Sciences Library gathered input from 100 patrons about a potential iPad circulation project. Participants were asked to explore an iPad loaded with a sample of resources and to complete a survey. Information collected included (1) patrons profile, (2) preferred iPad check-out period, (3) how the iPad would be used, and (4) preferred applications. Results indicated high patron interest in iPad check-out for supporting classwork, searching the Internet, using apps, and reading e-books. Librarians used results to create an iPad check-out program. User feedback is instrumental to libraries developing services with mobile devices.

Thinking Outside the Classroom: Providing Student-centered Informatics Instruction to First- and Second-year Medical Students

With the increasing amount of health information available, the Association of American Medical Colleges recommends that medical students be proficient in information management. Librarians can and should play a role in teaching students these skills. Medical information management instruction is most effective if integrated into the curriculum. However, if options are limited for librarians to teach within courses, there are ways to reach students outside the classroom. This article describes strategies librarians are implementing, outside the curriculum, to teach Texas A & M Health Science Centers first- and second-year medical students how to use library resources.

Search and Ye Shall Find: Practical Literature Review Techniques for Health Educators

Through a perusal of current published literature, health educators can locate resources for theses, dissertations, or manuscripts for scholarly publication or plan/develop health promotion programs or disease prevention interventions. Reviewing the literature, however, may be viewed as a nebulous or intimidating process. This article presents six steps intended to assist health educators to efficiently search the literature. The processes of assessing information needs, planning the search, choosing where to search, getting full-text articles, assessing the articles, and applying the evidence are outlined.

Translating research into practice: criteria for applying literature search results to your work.

Evidence-based practices in the fields of health education and health promotion require evaluating the validity and reliability of relevant and timely research. Skills associated with effectively assessing and applying research findings are essential when researchers and practitioners are developing a new program, writing a grant, or completing a research project. This Tool outlines steps and resources with which health educators and health promotion specialists can critically appraise the literature before deciding to apply a concept or practice. It also includes descriptions of “levels of evidence” for determining level of academic rigor, and questions to guide critical appraisals of published literature and other resources for determining their relevance to the work at hand. Assessing the evidence involves two steps: synthesizing selected articles and then applying their content to a certain situation, population, or need. This Tool is intended to advance the profession by offering tips for assessing and applying the results of literature searches, which involves evaluating the quality of the articles and determining how to best put the research into practice.

Exploring Librarian Roles in Support of One Health

The growing One Health movement recognizes connections among human, animal, and ecosystem health and encourages collaboration among these disciplines. Fostering a One Health perspective in students and faculty is a strategic initiative of the Medical Sciences Library at Texas A&M University, which provides human and animal medicine, public health, agriculture, and life sciences programs. Librarians implemented a four-pronged approach to pilot One Health strategies among user communities—including developing curriculum modules, redesigning library learning spaces, and developing new research services. Aggregate data and participant comments from these activities support the value and feasibility of librarian engagement in One Health initiatives.