This blog contains abstracts of researches in Library and Information Science (LIS) in the Philippines to facilitate the searching of information on LIS literature. It is also aimed to provide free access to research materials for LIS students both undergraduate and graduate students.
Showing posts with label Medical Libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medical Libraries. Show all posts
School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City
Subject Area: Medical Libraries, Library Use
Year of Graduation: 2005
Introduction
MEDLINE has long been appreciated as a major resource for those with academic or research questions. More recently, it has been recognized that MEDLINE supports informed clinical practice as well. A number of published studies report that MEDLINE literature searchers have a significant positive effect on clinical problem-solving and patient outcomes.
Statement of the Problem
The study primarily assesses the MEDLINE database, its coverage of periodical titles and its usage in the Medical Library of UP Manila. The objectives of the study were to: 1) evaluate the MEDLINE database based on the following criteria: consistency, coverage/scope, accuracy, output, customer’s support and training, accessibility/ease of use, and timeliness; 2) determine the UPM College of Medicine practitioner’s areas of specialization that are covered by the MEDLINE database; 3) identify the medical journal titles in MEDLINE database that were most heavily used for the school year 2003-2004; 4) determine if the users use databases other than MEDLINE; 5) Determine methods of delivery (electronic mail and online display) and delivery formats in accessing journals in MEDLINE database; and 6) come up with recommendations regarding the MEDLINE database.
Methodology
The 785 medical practitioners of 27 departments of the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital as of June 2003 to March 2004 comprised the respondents of this study. The descriptive method of research was used. The data from the statistics of use of the library users of UP Medical Library from June 2003 to March 2004 were used and consulted for additional data needed in the study. The data gathered were organized and tabulated, tallied, analyzed and interpreted using percentages and ranking.
Findings
The findings of the study proved that MEDLINE database is useful in retrieving information in the areas of specialization of UP Manila College of Medicine practitioners. The availability of online databases affects internal library use, particularly when databases can be accessed through the Internet. Librarians at the UP Medical Library must endeavor to keep abreast of the range of options that are available to them and their users, and should be well-equipped to evaluate those options effectively. Using the SCOUG criteria as a guide when examining different versions of the same database, librarians and other information professionals should be able to make an informed assessment of the relative value and usefulness of a range of services of databases. The UP Medical Library does not need to subscribe to the MEDLINE software since it is available for free from the Internet. If there are funds allotted for the subscription of the said software, it is better to divert the funds to other library expenses. Users of the MEDLINE and other medical databases are encouraged to access the electronic journals. Since full-text versions of many medical journals are being offered via the Internet, it will be increasingly easier to locate the original papers, which will be linked to the results of the user’s search. A user should be aware that MEDLINE does not cover all the medical literature in the world. Users are advised to use other databases like EMBASE, MD Consult, Ovid MEDLINE, and other to cover a wider collection of the world’s medical literature.
De Leon, Rosa I (2004).Evaluation of the Book Collection and Periodical Collections of the College of Allied Medical Profession.Unpublished Master’s Thesis.University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.
Introduction
The College of Allied Medical Professions, University of the Philippines was the first school in the Philippines (UP CAMP) to offer the Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Pathology, Masters in Clinical Audiology and Masters in Rehabilitation Science.In its 40 years of existence, the College has always maintained a quality of standards in its graduates who are unparalleled in the practice of their future profession.The profession must provide a vast amount of knowledge for each student.This basic theoretical knowledge must be translated into the practical clinical setting in which all students must go through.Through the College’s 39 years of servicing the Filipino public, the College Library has been at the forefront in providing the necessary, adequate, well-selected and organized information for its major clientele, which includes students, faculty, researchers and other users.The College Library is an essential source of information for the intellectual advancement in the health sciences.
The Problem
This study evaluated the library collections, namely the periodical and book sections qualitatively and quantitatively.It determined the strength and weaknesses of the collection through a descriptive comparison of the collection of the College Library in relation to two foreign institutions that have similar objectives.The study compared the collection to the Brandon-Hill List that is the standard list used by health libraries as basis for the contents of their collections.It also compared the College Library standards to the University of the Philippines Library standards.Lastly, it evaluated the Library collection according to the perceptions of the faculty and students.
Methodology
The main areas focused on the recency, adequacy and comprehensiveness of the collection.The results of the study may serve as guidelines in the planning and formulation of the Library’s collection development program.One hundred twenty three (123) respondents were asked to answer the questionnaires.There was 100% response rate, which may be attributed to the method of data gathering.
Discussions
The average age of the respondents is 22.7.Around 68 of the respondents are females while 32 are males.More than half (55% of the sample) came from the undergraduate level, while almost 20 percent came from the faculty.A little over 16 percent of the sampled library users were alumni.The top four (4) purposes in visiting the library was research (109), borrowing and returning library materials (90), studying (58), and leisure reading (49).Other purposes noted by the respondents were using the computer and internet, along with conducting group discussions and meetings.An assessment of the standards by UP System for UP Libraries revealed that the book collection of the UP CAMP: Library does not meet the set standards.UP CAMP only meets around 53 percent of the total volume of books required.On the other hand, the current listing of UP CAMP periodicals exceeds the requirement of 50 titles for a student population of less than 1000.It can be noted from the graph that the University of the Philippines College of Allied Medical Professions Library collections are greater in number compared to University of Queensland and University of SouthAlabama in all categories, Occupational therapy.Physical therapy, Speech Pathology and the journals.The University of Queensland was second and the University of South Alabama had the least amount of materials in all categories listed.Overall, the University of the Philippines, College of Allied medical professions Library had the largest collection of 1624, followed by the University of Queensland at 1179.The University of South Alabama had the smallest overall collection at 400.This comparison was done without regard to the Brandon/Hill List of recommended books and periodicals.Furthermore, the UP CAMP Library has in its acquisition 63 percent of the selected Brandon/Hill List of printed books and journals in allied health, while University of Queensland has only acquired 43 percent of those materials suggested in the Brandon/Hill List.The University of South Alabama had the lowest percentage of acquired materials in the Brandon/Hill List at 31 percent.
Recommendations
The CAMPLibrary collection be maintained and more books be added to continually be at par with the other institutions with the same specialization and to fulfill the standards set by the university and international boards.
The primary objective of this blog is to facilitate the searching of relevant literature in Library and Information Science which will be helpful for those who are doing research.
Most of the entries are author-made abstracts and from the following journals: 1. Ad Veritatem. Manila: UST. 2. Journal of Philippine Librarianship
For any comments, suggestions, corrections, and clarifications, please feel free to leave your feedback on any of the postings for further improvement of this endeavor.
