The costs and effectiveness of information skills training and mediated searching: quantitative results from the EMPIRIC project

Brettle, A; Hulme, CT; Ormandy, P

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and costs of providing information for patient care via librarian-mediated searches and information-skills training.
Methods: A questionnaire survey to library staff and health professionals in the North West. Data was collected on perceptions of services, satisfaction and service usage, allowing a cost analysis to be undertaken. Statistical data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (spss).
Results: Using satisfaction and use of skills as outcome measures, both mediated searches and information skills training are effective. A breakdown of costs per type of training session and literature search is provided. Cost-effectiveness is dependent on whether costs are viewed from a library or trust point of view. Providing information skills training does not reduce the volume of mediated-search requests.
Conclusions: No one method of providing information for health professionals is more effective or cost-effective than another. A decision about which services to provide cannot be made on the basis of effectiveness or costs alone; the views of library staff and the health professionals they serve should also be taken into account. A proactive approach and targeting training towards those who are most likely to benefit may be an appropriate way forward.

Citation

Brettle, A., Hulme, C., & Ormandy, P. (2006). The costs and effectiveness of information skills training and mediated searching: quantitative results from the EMPIRIC project. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 23(4), 239-247. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2006.00670.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2006
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2007
• Journal: Health Information and Libraries Journal
• Print ISSN: 1471-1834
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 239-247
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2006.00670.x
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2006.00670.x