Browsing by Author "Powelson, Susan"
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- ItemOpen AccessAn assessment of the efficacy of searching in biomedical databases beyond MEDLINE in identifying studies for a systematic review on ward closures as an infection control intervention to control outbreaks(BioMed Central, 2014-11-11) Kwon, Yoojin; Powelson, Susan; Wong, Holly; Ghali, William; Conly, JohnBackground The purpose of our study is to determine the value and efficacy of searching biomedical databases beyond MEDLINE for systematic reviews. Methods We analyzed the results from a systematic review conducted by the authors and others on ward closure as an infection control practice. Ovid MEDLINE including In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid Embase, CINAHL Plus, LILACS, and IndMED were systematically searched for articles of any study type discussing ward closure, as were bibliographies of selected articles and recent infection control conference abstracts. Search results were tracked, recorded, and analyzed using a relative recall method. The sensitivity of searching in each database was calculated. Results Two thousand ninety-five unique citations were identified and screened for inclusion in the systematic review: 2,060 from database searching and 35 from hand searching and other sources. Ninety-seven citations were included in the final review. MEDLINE and Embase searches each retrieved 80 of the 97 articles included, only 4 articles from each database were unique. The CINAHL search retrieved 35 included articles, and 4 were unique. The IndMED and LILACS searches did not retrieve any included articles, although 75 of the included articles were indexed in LILACS. The true value of using regional databases, particularly LILACS, may lie with the ability to search in the language spoken in the region. Eight articles were found only through hand searching. Conclusions Identifying studies for a systematic review where the research is observational is complex. The value each individual study contributes to the review cannot be accurately measured. Consequently, we could not determine the value of results found from searching beyond MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL with accuracy. However, hand searching for serendipitous retrieval remains an important aspect due to indexing and keyword challenges inherent in this literature.
- ItemOpen AccessDetermining User Needs for an Academic Health Sciences Library Renovation(2011) Powelson, Susan; Vaska, Marcus
- ItemOpen AccessDigital Professionalism(2013-09-26) Topps, David; Powelson, SusanExploring some of the issues around being a professional in today's digital world.
- ItemOpen AccessEvaluating effectiveness of small group literacy instruction for Undergraduate Medical Education students using a pre-post survey study design(Wiley, 2015-06) McClurg, Caitlin; Powelson, Susan; Lang, Eddy; Aghajafari, Fariba; Edworthy, SteveThe purpose of our study was to determine if librarian-led small group information literacy instruction, closely integrated with course content and faculty participation, but without a hands on component, was an effective means to convey evidence based information literacy skills including clinical question formation, resource selection and online searching confidence. Five 15 minute evidence based information literacy sessions were delivered by three librarians to 12 practicing physician-led small groups of 15 students. Students were asked to complete an online survey before and after the lecture and seminar series. Data analysis was through simple descriptive statistics, reporting proportions for question responses. Instruction in a small group environment without a mandatory hands on component had a positive impact on student’s evidence based information literacy skills. Students were more likely to consult a librarian, and had increased confidence in their abilities to search and find relevant information.
- ItemOpen AccessGroup peer-mentorship in academic libraries: an approach to enhancing research engagement(American Library Association, 2022-01) Lorenzetti, Diane; Powelson, Susan; Lashewicz, Bonnie; Casebeer, Ann; Hayden, K. Alix; Oddone Paolucci, Elizabeth; Beran, Tanya
- ItemOpen AccessResults of a Usability Study to Test the Redesign of the Health Sciences Library Web Pag(Canadian Health Libraries Association, 2014) Lemieux, Michelle; Powelson, SusanIntroduction In 2012 University of Calgary (U of C) Libraries and Cultural Resources implemented a new webpage, establishing new standards for design. Branch library webpage redesign followed. The new standards, as well as changing needs and usage created an opportunity for the Health Sciences Library (HSL) to significantly rework their webpage. To ensure that the new design was easy for users, a usability study was conducted. Methods Following a do-it-yourself usability protocol, eight participants (four faculty, four students) were asked to complete eight tasks using a mock-up of the redesigned webpage. A think-aloud protocol was used. The participant’s thoughts and pathways to complete these tasks were captured using Camtasia and then analyzed by two librarians. Results 1. Important information needs to be “above the fold” 2. Unified search, using article title, is the fastest way to find a known article compared with searching by journal title 3. Database is still “library jargon” 4. When looking at a list of recommended databases, users will scan for databases they’ve heard of. 5. 7/8 users had trouble navigating through the Research Guides Discussion The biggest challenge of the testing was participant recruitment. The redesigned page worked well, and only small design changes were needed. The testing revealed key information about how users search that will be useful for designing future instruction. It also highlighted that work needs to be done to improve our Research Guides.
- ItemOpen AccessA Scoping Review of Mentoring Programs for Academic Librarians(Elsevier, 2015-03) Lorenzetti, Diane; Powelson, SusanIntroduction The purpose of this study was to comprehensively review the best practices and current trends for mentoring programs in academic libraries. Methods The authors conducted a scoping review of the existing literature on academic library mentoring programs. The following sources were searched to identify relevant studies: ERIC, Education Research Complete (Ebsco) LISA, Library & Information Sciences Source (Ebsco), Scopus, the TRIP database, Web of Science and the grey literature. Results Among 802 unique abstracts, 42 studies reporting on 40 unique programs were selected for inclusion in this review. Of these, 28 programs were specifically designed to facilitate the development of junior or untenured librarians. Common program elements included participant input into mentor/mentee selection, written guidelines, mentor training, and senior administration support. Notably, only 18 authors (42.8 percent) reported on program evaluation methods and outcomes. Conclusions Despite the prevalence of the literature that exists on this topic, mentorship programs in academic libraries have been insufficiently explored. Rigorous and ongoing evaluation is required to determine the importance of mentoring programs to the career development of academic librarians, and identify design elements critical to their success.
- ItemOpen AccessTracking the Impact of Changes to a Provincial Library Service Model: The Results of Two Satisfaction Surveys(Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association, 2015-07) Hurrell, Christie; Powelson, Susan; Jensen-Ross, ChristineAbstract: Introduction: Alberta Health Services (AHS) was created in 2009, merging 12 former health regions and three provincial health authorities. Library services that had previously operated independently across the province were amalgamated into a single provincial entity, Knowledge Resource Service (KRS). A survey of library services was conducted in 2011. Subsequent to that survey, the provincial library service underwent major changes, which culminated in the launch of a provincial library website in August 2013. Another survey was conducted in 2014 to determine the impact of these changes. Methods: AHS staff and physicians were surveyed in 2011 and 2014 using an electronic survey tool. The survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the results reported as percentages. Results: This paper addresses the questions that are comparable between the two surveys. There were 1195 responses to the 2011 survey and 721 to the 2014 survey. Respondents in 2014 had less difficulty accessing the library website. Additionally, more respondents reported that using library resources prevented the occurrence of adverse events, from 13% in 2011 to 36% in 2014. Discussion: The drop in respondents reporting difficulties accessing information via the library website suggests that the new service model is effective in removing access barriers, enhancing the effectiveness of information resources for AHS staff and that the easier to find resources are helping to prevent adverse events.
- ItemOpen AccessUsing the results of a satisfaction survey to demonstrate the impact of a new library service model.(Wiley, 2012-09) Powelson, Susan; Reaume, ReneeBackground In 2005, the University of Calgary entered into a contract to provide library services to the staff and physicians of Alberta Health Services Calgary Zone (AHS CZ), creating the Health Information Network Calgary (HINC). Objectives A user satisfaction survey was contractually required to determine if the new library service model created through the agreement with the University of Calgary was successful. Our additional objective was to determine if information and resources provided through the HINC were making an impact on patient care. Methods A user satisfaction survey of 18 questions was created in collaboration with AHS CZ contract partners and distributed using the snowball or convenience sample method. Results 694 surveys were returned. 75% of respondents use the HINC library services. More importantly, 71% of respondents indicated that search results provided by library staff had a direct impact on patient care decisions. Conclusions Alberta Health Services Calgary Zone staff are satisfied with the new service delivery model, they are taking advantage of the services offered and using library provided information to improve patient care.