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    Toward an evidence-based medical practice model for Health Science Library services in public and private hospitals within a South African context
    (2019-04-08) Bala, Saroj; Underwood, Peter G.; Ngwane, Knowledge Siyabonga Vusamandla
    This study investigates the attitude and opinion of health science librarians toward their qualification and services in support of evidence-based medical practice (EBMP); the attitude and opinion of university academic staff toward the preparedness, training, and qualification of health science librarians to support evidence-based medical practice; and the attitude and opinion of medical practitioners regarding health science library services to support them in evidence-based medical practice by providing the latest and most reliable information related to their practice in public and private hospitals in the eThekwini district, South Africa. The aim of this research was to develop an evidence-based medical practice (EBMP) model for health science library services within a South African context. The objectives of the study were to identify: the types of medical library services and resources available in public and private hospitals in the eThekwini district to support EBMP; medical practitioners’ perceptions, use, and needs regarding the library services in the hospitals in which they are practicing; the role of health science librarians in the hospitals; librarians’ level of training and qualification to support EBMP; training for health science librarians provided by the universities that train librarians in SA; and the barriers faced by health science librarians supporting EBMP. The target population for this study was medical practitioners from public and private hospitals, health science librarians of the eThekwini district, South Africa, and academic staff at universities and universities of technology that offer a qualification in Library and information Science (LIS). In other words, they train librarians in SA. To achieve the aim of the study, a survey was conducted. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected via open-ended and closed questions on the questionnaires administered to the research participants. The target population for this study was medical practitioners from public and private hospitals, health science librarians of the eThekwini district, South Africa, and academic staff at universities and universities of technology that offer a qualification in Library and information Science (LIS). In other words, they train librarians in SA. To achieve the aim of the study, a survey was conducted. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected via open-ended and closed questions on the questionnaires administered to the research participants. struggle to acquire resources to support EBMP and, hence, there has been no improvement in library services for a long time. Medical practitioners from government and private hospitals require libraries in their hospitals with expert librarians in EBMP. Lack of personal time is the major barrier to medical practitioners using EBMP. Medical practitioners agree that librarians can save their time by assisting them with their research in complicated cases, with research/literature in cases where little is known about a disease or illness, in the case of infectious diseases, and by providing relevant information for individual cases. These findings show that, although the Department of Library and Information Science/Studies at universities in South Africa are not training the librarians to help medical practitioners in EBMP, specifically academic staff members of universities welcomed the idea of training the librarians in EMBP. Such training may be considered in future. Based on the discussion and conclusion, the study recommends that library services should be established in every public and private hospital, with a librarian expert in EBMP. The courses or training related to EBMP should be provided to health science librarians. Health departments should make arrangements for training courses to be offered. The Department of Library and Information Science/Studies should collaborate with health science faculties at the universities in South Africa and offer specialised training in EBMP to library students and librarians.
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    Academic integration of libraries at Universities of Technology (UoTs) in South Africa
    (2014-09-16) Neerputh, Shirlene; Singh, Penny; Underwood, Peter
    Academic libraries should lead in the instructional change process by being at the nexus of teaching, learning and research in the university. This study was set in the context of the current higher educational landscape of South Africa. In particular, it focused on the emerging role of the University of Technology (UoT) library to enhance academic success. This was an exploratory study juxtaposed with a literature review pertinent to national and international library integration programmes and practices. Justification for this study stemmed from the current local and international trend for academic libraries to become proactive partners in teaching and learning through academic integration and leadership in promoting the university’s mission and goals. Underpinned by the process learning theoretical framework, the aim of this study was to explore the extent to which academic integration has been adopted by UoT libraries in South Africa. Process learning was chosen by the researcher because it is considered a learner-centred teaching technique for student engagement and it is consistent with the constructivist theory postulated and applicable to UoT libraries. The specific objectives of the survey were to determine: what academic integration programmes are offered by UoT libraries to enhance teaching, learning and research in South Africa; existing information literacy programmes and assessment practices in UoT libraries; what postgraduate/research programmes are offered by the library to academics and students and how they are represented in strategy or policy documents; and the similarities and differences in academic integration programmes in all six UoTs in SA. A mixed methods approach (quantitative and qualitative methodologies) were used to collect data regarding programmes and practices prevalent in UoT libraries across all six UoTs in South Africa. An online questionnaire was administered using SurveyMonkey. Forty-two subject librarians participated in the survey, yielding a sixty- two percent response rate. The objectives of the study were achieved by the identification of the following key academic integration programmes: embedded information literacy programmes; resource collection and development; faculty collaboration and partnerships to promote academic success; research scholarship and open access initiatives; social media networking; and reading and writing programmes. This study found that while academic integration has gained momentum in UoTs in South Africa, greater effort should be made in collaboration with academics in: embedded information literacy and blended learning; open access and scholarship; reading and writing programmes; and collaboration in postgraduate interventions. The findings also revealed that while most libraries internationally have embraced reading and writing programmes, libraries offering reading and writing programmes to enhance academic success are relatively scarce in UoTs in South Africa. It is recommended that the subject librarians engage in academic integration practices by: supporting the curricula and research programmes; improving institutional outcomes; improving collaborations; building intellectual or knowledge centres and providing relevant information to students and staff within a knowledge society.