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The costs and effectiveness of information‐skills training and mediated searching: quantitative results from the EMPIRIC project
Author(s) -
Brettle Alison,
Hulme Claire,
Ormandy Paula
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
health information and libraries journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1471-1842
pISSN - 1471-1834
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2006.00670.x
Subject(s) - session (web analytics) , training (meteorology) , point (geometry) , health care , perception , service (business) , cost effectiveness , medical education , cost–benefit analysis , computer science , knowledge management , medicine , psychology , business , marketing , world wide web , risk analysis (engineering) , ecology , physics , geometry , mathematics , neuroscience , meteorology , biology , economic growth , economics
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.