MAKING “IT” WORK FOR MAKING “IT” WORK FOR MEDICAL CARE IN INDIAMEDICAL CARE IN INDIA
Focus on the I of ITFocus on the I of IT
Vasumathi SriganeshVasumathi SriganeshQMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation
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TechnoloTechnologygy
InformatiInformationon
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EmailEmail
ChatChat
BrowsinBrowsingg
DownloadDownloadss
EMREMR
Click of Click of the the
mousemouse
BandwidtBandwidthh
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DIGITAL DIVIDEDIGITAL DIVIDE““ComputComput
er er literacy”literacy”
Word Word processoprocesso
rsrs
Typing / Typing / speech speech
recognitionrecognitionSoftware Software
usageusage
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PRINT ERAPRINT ERA
““Printing Printing technology”technology”
??
Letter Letter press?press?
Movable Movable type?type? Binding?Binding?
Why were these not essential for “reading”?Why were these not essential for “reading”?
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LET US DISCUSSLET US DISCUSS
Two issuesTwo issues Training in “Information” useTraining in “Information” use Importance of content (information)Importance of content (information)
– Basic information - availability / lackBasic information - availability / lack– CreationCreation– UpdatesUpdates– DistributionDistribution
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TRAININGTRAINING
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TRAINING PROGRAMSTRAINING PROGRAMS
How many medical colleges conduct these? How many medical colleges conduct these? Use of the medical library and its resourcesUse of the medical library and its resources Sources of information on the InternetSources of information on the Internet Intelligent browsingIntelligent browsing Searching PubMedSearching PubMed Evidence Based resourcesEvidence Based resources Critical appraisal skillsCritical appraisal skills Writing papersWriting papers
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TRAINING PROGRAMSTRAINING PROGRAMS
In how many institutions is it a mandate to In how many institutions is it a mandate to do a good and appropriate literature do a good and appropriate literature review for a thesis? review for a thesis?
How is it evaluated? Any criteria?How is it evaluated? Any criteria?
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 1010
EXPERIENCES….EXPERIENCES….
What is PubMed?What is PubMed? Evidence Based Dentistry…. Is that Evidence Based Dentistry…. Is that
something to do with Forensic something to do with Forensic Dentistry?Dentistry?
Is PubMed specially created for Is PubMed specially created for Punjab?Punjab?
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 1111
RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS
Train medical and health science students in:Train medical and health science students in:– The proper use of the library’s print resources as The proper use of the library’s print resources as
well as Internet resourceswell as Internet resources– Availability of information through various Availability of information through various
resourcesresources– Evaluating information sources as well as the Evaluating information sources as well as the
information itselfinformation itself– Medical writingMedical writing– CommunicationCommunication
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TRAINING…TRAINING…
UG LevelUG Level Sources – basic – books, encyclopediae, Sources – basic – books, encyclopediae,
dictionaries, primary websitesdictionaries, primary websites Basic search techniquesBasic search techniques Evaluation of sourcesEvaluation of sources Basic evaluation of informationBasic evaluation of information Basic writing / compiling skillsBasic writing / compiling skills
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 1313
TRAINING…TRAINING…PG LevelPG Level Sources – basic – books, encyclopediae, dictionaries, Sources – basic – books, encyclopediae, dictionaries,
primary websitesprimary websites Advanced search techniquesAdvanced search techniques Evaluation of sources Evaluation of sources Evaluation of information in sources (critical appraisal)Evaluation of information in sources (critical appraisal) Medical writing – for case reports / journal articles / Medical writing – for case reports / journal articles /
thesisthesis– Importance to copyright / plagiarism related issuesImportance to copyright / plagiarism related issues– Other legal issuesOther legal issues
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 1414
SOURCES OF INFORMATIONSOURCES OF INFORMATION
Originally in print – now in Originally in print – now in electronic formatselectronic formats
Electronic onlyElectronic only Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
sourcessources
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SOURCES OF INFORMATIONSOURCES OF INFORMATION
Originally in printOriginally in print– BooksBooks– JournalsJournals– Dictionaries / EncyclopediaeDictionaries / Encyclopediae– BiographiesBiographies– Reference SourcesReference Sources– IndexesIndexes– …………………………………………………………
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 1616
SOURCES OF INFORMATIONSOURCES OF INFORMATION
Electronic onlyElectronic only– BooksBooks– JournalsJournals– Dictionaries / EncyclopediaeDictionaries / Encyclopediae– BiographiesBiographies– Reference SourcesReference Sources– IndexesIndexes– …………………………………………………………
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 1717
SOURCES OF INFORMATIONSOURCES OF INFORMATION
Primary / Secondary / Tertiary Primary / Secondary / Tertiary SourcesSources
Where to begin / how to proceedWhere to begin / how to proceed The difference between each:The difference between each:
– what you can getwhat you can get
– cannot get cannot get
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AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATIONAVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION
InternetInternet
LibrariesLibraries ExpertsExperts
Free / Paid Free / Paid forfor
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MEDICAL WRITINGMEDICAL WRITING
IntroductionIntroduction MaterialsMaterials ResultsResults DiscussionDiscussion References written accuratelyReferences written accurately
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 2020
COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION
““Technical”Technical” Conveying the message with no Conveying the message with no
ambiguityambiguity Right information at the right time to the Right information at the right time to the
right personright person– Patient educationPatient education– Communication with colleaguesCommunication with colleagues
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 2121
TRAINING…TRAINING…
Developed countriesDeveloped countries By FacultyBy Faculty By LibrariesBy Libraries Independent bodiesIndependent bodies In conjunctionIn conjunction
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© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 2323
SUMMING UPSUMMING UP
Training in IndiaTraining in India Not part of the curriculumNot part of the curriculum Scattered in some institutionsScattered in some institutions Additionally by agencies like NIC / Additionally by agencies like NIC /
QMedQMed Overall – reaches only a minorityOverall – reaches only a minority
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 2424
QUESTIONSQUESTIONS
-> That we need to ask ourselves:-> That we need to ask ourselves: WHY is training in the use of information WHY is training in the use of information
resources not mandatory?resources not mandatory? WHY is there no evaluation of WHY is there no evaluation of
methodology of literature searching?methodology of literature searching? IS there any study on IS there any study on effectiveeffective usage of usage of
library resources in health science library resources in health science Institutions in India?Institutions in India?
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 2525
TRAINING IN INDIATRAINING IN INDIA
Urgent RequirementUrgent Requirement Compulsory – part of curriculum in Compulsory – part of curriculum in
everyevery medical / paramedical programmedical / paramedical program More trained personnel to offer training More trained personnel to offer training
programsprograms
– Train the TrainerTrain the Trainer
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 2626
IMPORTANCE OF IMPORTANCE OF CONTENTCONTENT
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CONTENTCONTENT
Basic information - Availability / lackBasic information - Availability / lack CreationCreation UpdatesUpdates DistributionDistribution
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BASIC INFORMATIONBASIC INFORMATION
Needs – different for different audienceNeeds – different for different audience Academic – Books / Journals / academic Academic – Books / Journals / academic
information resources – bibliographical information resources – bibliographical databases etcdatabases etc
Research – As above – more advancedResearch – As above – more advanced Clinicians – Evidence based compilations as Clinicians – Evidence based compilations as
well as academicwell as academic Primary practitioners – Continuously updated Primary practitioners – Continuously updated
guidelines / basic books etcguidelines / basic books etc
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 2929
SCENARIO TODAYSCENARIO TODAY
AcademicAcademic Lack of adequate budgets for resourcesLack of adequate budgets for resources Inefficient / misuse of budgetsInefficient / misuse of budgets Subscription renewals badly delayed every Subscription renewals badly delayed every
yearyear No methodological approach for revamping No methodological approach for revamping
library collection development library collection development – With / through the Internet there is a huge scope With / through the Internet there is a huge scope
to do a systematic revampingto do a systematic revamping
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3030
SCENARIO TODAYSCENARIO TODAY
Research institutionsResearch institutions Overall - probably in the best positionOverall - probably in the best position Private research institutions do not get Private research institutions do not get
the benefits that Government the benefits that Government institutions do institutions do
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3131
SCENARIO TODAYSCENARIO TODAY
CliniciansClinicians Only those in hospitals have some sort Only those in hospitals have some sort
of information accessof information access Private practitioners depend on the Private practitioners depend on the
Internet (if they know how to use it) or Internet (if they know how to use it) or on Pharma medical reps!on Pharma medical reps!
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3232
SCENARIO TODAYSCENARIO TODAY
Primary care practitioners – in rural / semi-Primary care practitioners – in rural / semi-urban areas & GPs and paramedicsurban areas & GPs and paramedics
No library / information facilitiesNo library / information facilities City based GPs / family physicians depend on City based GPs / family physicians depend on
Pharma medical reps – who prefer to cater to Pharma medical reps – who prefer to cater to specialistsspecialists
Rural / semi urban – depend on publications Rural / semi urban – depend on publications like newsletters only! like newsletters only!
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3333
ONE GOOD INITIATIVE ONE GOOD INITIATIVE (ACCESS)(ACCESS)
Thanks to Thanks to ICMRICMR
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GOOD INDIAN INITIATIVES GOOD INDIAN INITIATIVES (Content creation / aggregation)(Content creation / aggregation)
Chiefly for academics & researchChiefly for academics & research NIC’s Indmed, Medind, UNCAT, OpenMedNIC’s Indmed, Medind, UNCAT, OpenMed MedknowMedknow JGate and other Union CatalogsJGate and other Union Catalogs National Health Information Collaboration – National Health Information Collaboration –
nhicindia.ernet.innhicindia.ernet.in Government websites – MOHFW / ICMR etcGovernment websites – MOHFW / ICMR etc QMed’s Directory of Indian Medical Sites – QMed’s Directory of Indian Medical Sites –
www.indianmedicalsites.inwww.indianmedicalsites.in
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3535
QUESTIONSQUESTIONS
Yes – again – questions we need to ask Yes – again – questions we need to ask ourselves:ourselves:
Why are we not taking information access Why are we not taking information access more seriously?more seriously?
Why are we not making the best use of Why are we not making the best use of technology to revamp our access policies / technology to revamp our access policies / library services?library services?
What are we doing about information flow to What are we doing about information flow to those who need primary care information those who need primary care information updates?updates?
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3636
CONTENT CREATION CONTENT CREATION
Primary data collectionPrimary data collection CompilationCompilation Statistical analysesStatistical analyses Evidence based summariesEvidence based summaries Guidelines / RecommendationsGuidelines / Recommendations
Respective content for different audienceRespective content for different audience
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3737
CONTENT CREATION CONTENT CREATION
RequiresRequires Correct methodologyCorrect methodology Technical writing skillsTechnical writing skills Formats for distribution – balance of Formats for distribution – balance of
print and electronic – both offline and print and electronic – both offline and onlineonline
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3838
CONTENT UPDATIONCONTENT UPDATION
Frequency of updates – depending on Frequency of updates – depending on type of contenttype of content– Evidence based summaries / guidelines – Evidence based summaries / guidelines –
at least once in 2 – 3 years, and if there is at least once in 2 – 3 years, and if there is a need to change, based on research a need to change, based on research findingsfindings
Online content – need to mention Online content – need to mention – Last updated dateLast updated date– Absence of changeAbsence of change
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 3939
DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION
Big challengeBig challenge–Levels for target audienceLevels for target audience
–AmountAmount
–FrequencyFrequency
–Mode (print / electronic / online)Mode (print / electronic / online)
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4040
•SimpleSimple•MinimalMinimal•When When neededneeded•Offline / printOffline / print
•ComplexComplex•DetailedDetailed•ProactivProactivee•OnlineOnline
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4141
DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION
Levels, Amount and Frequency – based Levels, Amount and Frequency – based on productionon production
ModeMode– Online, offline and print are based on costs Online, offline and print are based on costs
and target audience needand target audience need– Pull and Push methods – combination of Pull and Push methods – combination of
online facilities and use of “resource online facilities and use of “resource centres” (like libraries / information centres)centres” (like libraries / information centres)
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4242
SOURCES - INDIASOURCES - INDIA
Push models – based on servicesPush models – based on services Still weak - lack of Still weak - lack of
– Good infrastructureGood infrastructure– MarketingMarketing– AwarenessAwareness
To primary areas like villages / townsTo primary areas like villages / towns– Practically non-existentPractically non-existent
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4343
HYBRID MODELHYBRID MODEL
GLSN – www.glsn.com – initiative from GLSN – www.glsn.com – initiative from AustraliaAustralia
Aims to be an offline library of Creative Aims to be an offline library of Creative Commons ContentCommons Content
Seeks inputs from producers of free Seeks inputs from producers of free content content
Hosts all content on a website / serverHosts all content on a website / server
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4444
HYBRID MODELHYBRID MODEL
Distribution to nodes by direct downloads / Distribution to nodes by direct downloads / CDsCDs
Further distribution to individuals from nodes Further distribution to individuals from nodes by copying on CDs / flash drives, through by copying on CDs / flash drives, through email or by printing – depending on policy of email or by printing – depending on policy of nodenode
Software tool is free, content seekers pay for Software tool is free, content seekers pay for – Content (institutions)Content (institutions)– Services offered by nodes (individuals)Services offered by nodes (individuals)
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4545
QMED’S INITIATIVESQMED’S INITIATIVES
QMed Knowledge Foundation aims to tackle QMed Knowledge Foundation aims to tackle the issues of the issues of – TrainingTraining
Searching literature, Critical Appraisal, Library activitiesSearching literature, Critical Appraisal, Library activities
– Content DistributionContent Distribution Using GLSN’s offeringUsing GLSN’s offering Services of literature search, document deliveryServices of literature search, document delivery
In collaboration with people / entities with In collaboration with people / entities with similar interestssimilar interests
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4646
QMED’S VISIONQMED’S VISION
To empower healthcare professionals use To empower healthcare professionals use reliable and relevant medical reliable and relevant medical
information through the effective use of information through the effective use of Information Technology, for delivering Information Technology, for delivering
quality healthcare services to allquality healthcare services to all
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4747
WE HOPEWE HOPE
Our recommendations are taken upOur recommendations are taken up We get good collaborators and supportWe get good collaborators and support We contribute to making a difference!We contribute to making a difference!
© © 20072007 QMed Knowledge FoundationQMed Knowledge Foundation 4848
THANK YOUTHANK YOU
[email protected]@qmedin.com