Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the response of Pediatric residents and attending physicians to contact with a clinical medical librarian (CML) on in-patient rounds as a method of providing medical information to support clinical care and physician education.
Methods: Over a six week period, a CML joined inpatient rounds three times per week to identify medical information needs and supply appropriate information with a target turn-around time of 3-48 hours. At the end of this period, pediatric residents and attending physicians were surveyed regarding their satisfaction and usefulness of the project using a +2/0/-2(excellent/neutral/poor) scale.
Results: Twelve resident (55%) and 5 attending physician (63%) surveys were returned. Information turn around from the CML was judged to be good (Resident (R) 1; Attending(A) 1.5). The utility of general information(R0.73;A0.8) and impact on patient care was good (R0.42;A1). For the information selected by the CML, the volume was appropriate (R0.67;A1.5) and the information chosen by the CML met the physician's needs to provide patient care (R0.75;A1). Having the CML attend rounds had a positive effect on patient care (R0.58;A1.2) and the project was judged to be worth continuing(R0.75;A1.4). To improve the project, physicians need to be educated on the CML's capabilities, role, and availability. Additionally, the CML needs education on judging the priority of requested clinical information.
Conclusions: The response of pediatric residents and attending physicians to having a CML present during rounds suggests that regular interaction between pediatric physicians and CML's improves physician education and patient care.
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Pasquinelli, L., Buescher, E. & Gowen, C. Impact of a Clinical Medical Librarian on Pediatric Inpatient Rounds 1779. Pediatr Res 41 (Suppl 4), 299 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199704001-01798
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199704001-01798