Dear All,
Thank you for responding so comprehensively. It has been really interesting seeing how public libraries help people find good quality health information.
Several people did stress that they would never advise patients, and they are quite right. I wouldn’t advise patients either. Unfortunately, I used the wrong word, advice instead of information. In medical libraries we also signpost rather than advise, as it would not be appropriate to advise a patient. The outcome for my query is that I forwarded the message to the Clinical Director as I was unable to provide the information that was required.
Several people asked me to summarise for the list, so here is a summary:
9 public libraries replied and out of those, 8 answer health information enquiries from the general public, with one dealing with more than 25,000 enquiries per year. Another library has a dedicated consumer health information service, and in one county, they have 2 Macmillan cancer information points. One library service has provided their staff with NHS Choose and Book training, and is reviewing further training on health information. Two public libraries work in partnership with health librarians in hospitals and/or their local university. Another library has had a dedicated consumer health information service for the past 23 years.
The table below shows a summary of the sources of information used by public libraries to answer health-related questions:
Printed sources
Popular medical books on conditions such as cancer, diabetes, mental health issues
BMA New Guide to Medicines and Drugs
Black's Medical Dictionary
BMA Complete Family Health Guide
General health encyclopaedias/dictionaries
BNF
The Medical Directory
Directory of British Associations
Library book collection
Lancet and other online journals
DVDs and CDs on health conditions
Journals from the main health-related charities, e.g. British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association, Diabetes UK etc.
Drug directories
Self-help books
Anatomy textbooks
Small selection of medical books
Online sources
NHS Choices
Patient UK
Specialist organisations e.g. Macmillan, Stroke Association, Arthritis Care
Medic Direct
Surgery Door
US National Library of Medicine
BBC
NetDoctor.co.uk
Library webpage
Local information webpage which links to support groups
National websites
Google
Cambridgeshire Books on Prescriptions
Oxford Reference Online
Know UK
NHS Direct
Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
With very best wishes, from,
Caroline
Caroline De Brún
Research student at Coventry University
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