The health information practitioner as learner and educator

Comparison of the development of three types of health information course indicates some common opportunities and problems in involving practitioners in the development and evaluation of information management programmes. A Health Information module in the BA (Honours) Information and Library Management course (Manchester Metropolitan) was developed in collaboration with health information practitioners. Plans to involve practitioners in the assessment proved difficult to implement. A survey of distance learning students (practitioners and students) on the Health Information Management MSc (Econ) run by OILS, University of Wales Aberystwyth, found that some of the problems students encountered might be solved by more interaction in the form adult learners appreciate most, and that computer conferencing should help. City University London launched a MSc/Diploma course in Pharmaceutical Information Management, based on extensive market research among practitioner groups, and involving practitioners as module leaders, as well as on an Advisory Board. For all three courses the value of practitioner involvement requires good co-ordination.