2013 Volume 42

Collaboration between Medical Librarians and Primary Healthcare Physicians: A Roadmap for Enhancing Patient Education within the Sultanate of Oman

By: Mohammed Nasser Al-Suqri, Safaa Ali Al-Hasmi and Asia Ali Al-Toobi. pp. 1-21.

Abstract: 

Patient education, which has become an increasingly central focus of primary healthcare in recent years, has been proven to be associated with improved health outcomes. The nature of patient education is changing: patients increasingly seek out health information online, but these resources are of variable quality. Physicians are faced with information overload, which hinders their ability to develop high-quality patient education. Drawing on best practice examples from the literature, the importance of collaboration between medical librarians and primary healthcare physicians in enhancing patient education is discussed.  Best practice examples of collaboration between medical librarians and primary healthcare physicians are identified and key learning are extracted. A recommended roadmap for the Sultanate of Oman to follow is set forth.


Validation of Knowledge Management Modules for Curriculum Design

By: Sajjad ur Rehman, Sakeena A. Al-Alawi and Abdus Sattar Chaudhry. pp. 22-45.

Abstract:  

This study was designed with the purpose of analyzing the perceptions of senior academics and KM experts regarding the placement of KM modules in core, elective or cognate segments of the curriculum. We identified KM topics using the results of two earlier studies about KM competencies and development of KM taxonomy. The findings of the two studies were integrated, resulting in a list of KM topics. We also pilot-tested this list, relying on the insights and input of selected KM academics. We scanned faculty profiles of KM educators, using the websites of the universities that were offering KM programs. Additionally, we identified those experts who were active in KM research and publishing in the area of KM education. A Web-based survey was administered and a total of fifty-one educators and experts answered the questionnaire. We have pooled expert judgments in identifying core, elective coursework, and cognate units of KM curriculum.


An Analysis of Contributions Made from Singapore at the IFLA WLIC 2013 Conference

By: Yit Chin Chuan and Shaheen Majid. pp. 46-63.

Abstract: Organizing IFLA WLIC 2013 was a major milestone for libraries and librarians in Singapore. It provided an opportunity to researchers and practitioners in Singapore to share their research, ideas and initiatives with the participants from other countries. This analysis attempts to capture the flavour and essence of the presentations made by representatives from Singapore. It aims to provide a synopsis of selected papers to those library and information professionals who might have either missed the opportunity to attend this prestigious conference or had missed certain sessions as some of these sessions held concurrently. This analysis would help them discover more about the directions, initiatives and research undertaken in Singapore.