{"title":"Trends in Medical and Health Sciences Librarianship: A Comparative Analysis of Job Postings, Salary and Geographic Location, 2022 - 2024.","authors":"David Petersen, Emily Harris","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2025.2489935","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2025.2489935","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Job postings for medical and health sciences librarians provide valuable data for those seeking a better understanding of the evolving field of librarianship. Our data indicate a decrease in the number of postings from 2022 to 2024, a modest increase in the percentage of postings advertising remote/hybrid work, an increase in the average minimum posted salary, and a majority of postings focused on one or more public service components of library services. Utilizing this data provides a more complete picture of a profession in transition.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":" ","pages":"187-198"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144001817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessing the Quality of Biomedical Boolean Search Strings Generated by Prompted and Unprompted Models Using ChatGPT: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Robyn B Reed, Derek J Barnett","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2440848","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2440848","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This pilot study investigated the use of Generative AI using ChatGPT to produce Boolean search strings to query PubMed. The goals were to determine if ChatGPT could be used in search string formation and if so, which approach was most effective. Research outputs from published systematic reviews were compared to outputs from AI generated search strings. While moderate overlap in publication retrieval between published and AI generated search strings was noted, the numbers were not sufficient to completely replicate published search strings and little difference was observed between prompted and unprompted GPT in using ChatGPT.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":" ","pages":"31-40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142847720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"To Weed or to Keep: A Renovation-Driven Weeding Project of the Health Sciences Library Reference Collection with a Focus on the Last Institutional Copies - A Case Study.","authors":"Maria Deptula","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2025.2453718","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2025.2453718","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The weeding project of the George F. Smith Library Reference Collection was undertaken due to anticipated space reconfiguration. With no place to relocate the reference books, the librarians eliminated the reference books from the area selected for redesign by discarding material or interfiling it with the circulating collection. Only a small portion of the \"last copy monographs\" collection was selected for retention and preservation. This case study presents an analysis of a one-time comprehensive project to free up space, dispose of obsolete material, and demonstrate what went behind the decisions to discard, interfile, or preserve the \"last institutional copies\" of monographs.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":" ","pages":"55-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ali Afraz, Mohammadreza Chashmyazdan, Reza Khajouei, Zohreh Bagherinezhad
{"title":"Literature Searches in Medical Informatics Systematic Reviews: Suggested Approaches.","authors":"Ali Afraz, Mohammadreza Chashmyazdan, Reza Khajouei, Zohreh Bagherinezhad","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2429066","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2429066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explores database selection for systematic reviews in medical informatics, addressing challenges researchers face in maximizing relevant article retrieval. Systematic reviews from top medical informatics journals in 2021 were analyzed, divided into randomized control trials and non-randomized control trials groups. Four databases were evaluated based on Recall, Precision, and Unique references. Findings revealed that for randomized control trials, the best combination was PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, while for the non-restricted group, recommended combination included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, highlighting effective literature search strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":" ","pages":"17-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142677143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Constructing Patient Resources Keeping Literacy and Readability in Mind.","authors":"Helen-Ann Brown Epstein","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2025.2470521","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2025.2470521","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Librarians build health literacy, beginning with a focus on literacy and information literacy and moving to health literacy for different age and ethnic groups, and levels of literacy groups. Today with media, librarians have concern for the method of how to build literacy. They apply a readability formula to assess health information in multi-languages and different formats to assure each constituency can build their literacy level. This article presents definitions of the many types of literacy, readability formulas, literacy assessment tools and readability apps. The generative AI tool perplexity designed original properly targeted health information.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":" ","pages":"89-101"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143543746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lauren E Robinson, B Reeder, S Henderson, C M Robinson
{"title":"A Catalyst to Better Searching: Tackling Health Inequities with a Novel Interactive eResource.","authors":"Lauren E Robinson, B Reeder, S Henderson, C M Robinson","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2448344","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2448344","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper describes a web-based resource that aims to improve health disparities research by providing guidance and tools for searching and evaluating information on vulnerable populations. The resource integrates electronic books on equity, diversity, and inclusion with interactive tutorials and modules teaching users to formulate research questions, select appropriate search terms, and appraise their searches. The resource also addresses the issue of biased and outdated searching terminology and offers alternative strategies for finding literature. The paper explains the rationale, design, and development process of the resource, as well as its potential benefits and challenges for health disparities researchers and educators.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":" ","pages":"41-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142972587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Using Comics to Discuss the Geriatric Clerkship Experience.","authors":"Ariel Pomputius, Mallory Otto","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2025.2463891","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2025.2463891","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As an engaging and understandable visual medium, comics can facilitate discussions around difficult topics, including aging and death, and be a useful educational tool for medical students. To achieve this end, a geriatrics clerkship program director implemented a health humanities curriculum that included a partnership with the health science library. The resulting book club gave medical students a place to discuss the clerkship and helped them draw connections between their experiences and a graphic memoir on the perspective of a caregiver to elderly parents. The librarian's background using comics for instruction and the director's expertise in geriatric medicine created an innovative new educational method.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":" ","pages":"76-88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143442440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Resilience Practices in Health Science and Medical Libraries During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic.","authors":"Justin F Gaynor","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2420045","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2420045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper uses the concept of resilience engineering as an organizing principle to discuss best practices that evolved within health science/medical libraries in the United States during COVID-19 crisis, focusing on the period March - August 2020. Protection of library staff, assistance to medical staff, reducing the circulation of misinformation and public health consumerism all required substantial changes to standard processes. These process changes had to arise in the context of both physical isolation and information overload. Some practices became widespread due to their utility, and these are the focus of this report.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Priscilla L Stephenson, Edward J Poletti, Nancy A Clark
{"title":"Library Value Studies in Veterans Health Administration Hospitals, 2010-2023.","authors":"Priscilla L Stephenson, Edward J Poletti, Nancy A Clark","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2408990","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2408990","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital libraries provide research to support and improve patient care and health outcomes. This report reviews and compares the results of a series of 6 studies conducted between 2010 and 2023 by Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital libraries to evaluate the information patrons received from their libraries in response to reference requests. The results found that the libraries' reference responses were relevant and timely and had a positive effect on patient care while saving staff time.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":"43 4","pages":"316-325"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142569976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trends in Health Insurance Literacy and Consumer Health Resources.","authors":"Emily Vardell","doi":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2405441","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02763869.2024.2405441","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Librarians are uniquely poised to address the need for connecting individuals to health insurance information resources that are credible, as bias-free as possible, and written with literacy considerations in mind. This article explores health insurance outreach in libraries and presents a thorough list of vetted consumer resources on health insurance information. Each health insurance information resource is assessed, and connections are made to how the resources can be used in practice. This article aims to empower librarians to guide people to reliable health insurance information.</p>","PeriodicalId":39720,"journal":{"name":"Medical Reference Services Quarterly","volume":"43 4","pages":"306-315"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142570015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}