2011 Contributed Papers

Biomedical and Life Sciences Division Contributed Papers Breakfast
Monday, June 13, 2011
8:00 – 9:30 am

Role of Librarians in the Development of Computer-Mediated Social
Networks: Challenges and Lessons Learned From VIVO Implementation and Outreach.
Rolando Garcia-Milian*, Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Hannah Norton*, Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Beth Auten, Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Amy Buhler, Robert Marston Science Library, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Valrie Davis, Robert Marston Science Library, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Nita Ferree, Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Kristi Holmes, Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Margeaux Johnson, Robert Marston Science Library, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Sara Russell Gonzalez, Robert Marston Science Library, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Nancy Schaefer, Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Michele R. Tennant, Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL & University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL
Mike Conlon, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
VIVO Collaboration

VIVO is an open-source semantic web application that allows scientists to visualize their research networks and to find and communicate with potential collaborators across disciplines, both within an institution and at the national level. VIVO is different from other computer-mediated social networks for scientists in that many types of data are ingested from authoritative resources (e.g. bibliographic databases, human resources systems, institutional grants databases) while other data are inputted manually. Biomedical and science librarians at the University of Florida have played a key role in the process of VIVO development, implementation, outreach, and ontology creation based on their specific set of skills and knowledge of the campus research community. The first part of this work addresses new opportunities and benefits for librarians involved in the VIVO project.  Among these are the energy and expertise present in a large, diverse working team; the opportunity for new and renewed connections with faculty and graduate students; and a venue for individuals to learn more about the semantic web.  The paper’s second part analyzes the challenges and barriers that librarians have faced during this project including uncertainty of patron response, large group dynamics, and the timeline of the project.  Finally, the third part outlines strategies and new skills librarians have incorporated into their practice in order to overcome barriers and challenges and accomplish VIVO implementation and outreach.   The lessons learned by this project team will be relevant to librarians working on other large-scale projects both in the realms of innovative technology and encouraging collaboration.

Using Patient Literacy and Knowledge to Optimize the Delivery of Health Information
Taneya Y. Koonce, Knowledge Management, Eskind Biomedical Library; Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Nunzia B. Giuse, Knowledge Management, Eskind Biomedical Library, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine; Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Pauline T. Alexander, Department of Biomedical Informatics; Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Alan B. Storrow, Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

OBJECTIVE:  Discuss how this biomedical library is applying its professionals’ expertise in understanding the role health literacy plays in the comprehension and retention of health information by: 1) designing an effective instrument that measures knowledge of hypertension in emergency medicine patients and 2) using data on patient health literacy status to inform the content development of a personalized information prescription. 
METHODS:  The impact of health literacy level on hypertension knowledge retention is being assessed through the development of a novel questionnaire.  During an initial step, investigators created and collected questions from various sources including national associations, relevant literature, and clinical experts.  The instrument was tested with emergency medicine patients to ensure it reflected adequate representation of hypertension management key concepts; particular attention was given to risk factors (e.g. nutrition) and long term complications.  Following questionnaire assessment, the team is developing a next step for comparing hypertension knowledge retention in patients randomly allocated to receive either a personalized information prescription based on health literacy level or standard discharge materials.  Educational content reflective of literacy levels has been created according to proven guidelines.  The evaluation results will inform future phases of a funded research project and will additionally allow further refinement of this model.  
RESULTS:  This paper will report data on iterative knowledge testing conducted on hypertensive patients in the adult emergency department.   Additionally, a discussion will be provided on how a newly created instrument improved the investigators’ ability to detect a patient’s knowledge gap, thus allowing researchers to create information content that optimizes patients’ understanding of their health condition. 
CONCLUSIONS:   The newly published Healthy People 2020 objectives emphasize the need to educate patients so that they can be included as knowledgeable members of their health care teams.  This group of researchers proposes a workable framework designed to facilitate knowledge exchanges and patient participation. 

The Missing Link: Libraries' Use of Alert Systems to Provide Information on Health-Related Risks
Lisl Zach, iSchool at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

In mid-April 2009 the first cases of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as “swine flu” were reported in the United States. Within days, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was working with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to develop a small widget that could be placed on organizations’ websites. This widget directed people to three primary categories of information: general information about the virus, information about the on-going investigation, and information about what people could do. The widget was made available the third week of April and was widely publicized on various list-serves, including those sponsored by the National Library of Medicine. However, by the end of the end of the first week of May 2009, only 15 public library systems among the 50 largest U.S. cities (ranked by population) were using the widget on their websites. 

Why did so few library systems add the widget to their websites? What role should libraries play in getting out the message about health-related risks? How can libraries work more effectively with government and community partners? The proposed paper will present an overview of libraries’ use of various types of alert systems such as widgets and social media tools to provide information on health-related risks. Data will be drawn from an analysis of library websites and publically available information from Facebook, Twitter, and other social media tools. While the focus of the analysis will be on public libraries, lessons can be learned that will apply to libraries in other environments. During times of crisis, whether they are caused by a potential pandemic such as the H1N1 virus, bio-terrorism threats, or by local health-related risks such as chemical spills, people seek answers to questions about the nature of the threats and how to respond to them. Libraries need to leverage their position as a primary source of trustworthy information by providing quick and easy access to those looking for information about health-related risks.