bims-librar Biomed News
on Biomedical librarianship
Issue of 2022‒05‒08
twenty-one papers selected by
Thomas Krichel
Open Library Society


  1. Sci Rep. 2022 May 04. 12(1): 7285
      The usability of a Web Based Library System (WBLS) is an important quality attribute that must be met in order for the intended users to be satisfied. These usability quality attributes are available in two forms: general to web systems and domain-specific. It must be evaluated through some evaluation method such as checklist. Many evaluation checklists have been proposed, although they mostly facilitate the evaluation of WBLS's general usability aspects, but they lack in covering domain-specific usability aspects of WBLS. There is a need to define domain specific usability aspects to maximize the usability for such systems. The purpose of this research is to develop and validates a usability evaluation checklist that supports the evaluation of general as well as specific usability aspects of WBLS. To accomplish this, a control experiment was conducted in the first phase with undergraduate students to develop a usability evaluation checklist that includes both general and specific usability aspects. Another controlled experiment will be used in the second phase to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed checklist with the existing checklist as "Academic Library Website Evaluation Checklist". The manual and statistical result shows that, the proposed usability evaluation checklist is effective with maximum coverage of general and specific usability aspects. Furthermore, the proposed checklist is equally efficient while identifying the usability errors in WBLS. The proposed checklist is beneficial for the academia as well as industry to evaluate the usability of WBLS to an optimal level.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11215-7
  2. JMIR Med Inform. 2022 May 02. 10(5): e33219
      BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews (SRs) are central to evaluating therapies but have high costs in terms of both time and money. Many software tools exist to assist with SRs, but most tools do not support the full process, and transparency and replicability of SR depend on performing and presenting evidence according to established best practices.OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide a basis for comparing and selecting between web-based software tools that support SR, by conducting a feature-by-feature comparison of SR tools.
    METHODS: We searched for SR tools by reviewing any such tool listed in the SR Toolbox, previous reviews of SR tools, and qualitative Google searching. We included all SR tools that were currently functional and required no coding, and excluded reference managers, desktop applications, and statistical software. The list of features to assess was populated by combining all features assessed in 4 previous reviews of SR tools; we also added 5 features (manual addition, screening automation, dual extraction, living review, and public outputs) that were independently noted as best practices or enhancements of transparency and replicability. Then, 2 reviewers assigned binary present or absent assessments to all SR tools with respect to all features, and a third reviewer adjudicated all disagreements.
    RESULTS: Of the 53 SR tools found, 55% (29/53) were excluded, leaving 45% (24/53) for assessment. In total, 30 features were assessed across 6 classes, and the interobserver agreement was 86.46%. DistillerSR (Evidence Partners; 26/30, 87%), Nested Knowledge (Nested Knowledge; 25/30, 83%), and EPPI-Reviewer Web (EPPI-Centre; 24/30, 80%) support the most features followed by Giotto Compliance (Giotto Compliance; 23/30, 77%), LitStream (ICF), and SRDB.PRO (VTS Software). Fewer than half of all the features assessed are supported by 7 tools: RobotAnalyst (National Centre for Text Mining), SRDR (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality), SyRF (Systematic Review Facility), Data Abstraction Assistant (Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health), SR Accelerator (Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare), RobotReviewer (RobotReviewer), and COVID-NMA (COVID-NMA). Notably, of the 24 tools, only 10 (42%) support direct search, only 7 (29%) offer dual extraction, and only 13 (54%) offer living/updatable reviews.
    CONCLUSIONS: DistillerSR, Nested Knowledge, and EPPI-Reviewer Web each offer a high density of SR-focused web-based tools. By transparent comparison and discussion regarding SR tool functionality, the medical community can both choose among existing software offerings and note the areas of growth needed, most notably in the support of living reviews.
    Keywords:  feature analysis; software tools; systematic reviews
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2196/33219
  3. Health Info Libr J. 2022 May 04.
      BACKGROUND: Although many health information seeking studies are concerned with longer range outcomes (e.g. patient-provider communication) the immediate outcomes for the searchers are whether they found the desired information, for whom and how successfully.OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between health information seeking via various sources and the reported extent of success in getting the desired information the information needs perspective.
    METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2017 Israel Social Survey and analysed using multinomial regression models. The sample included individuals who reported engaging in seeking health information prior to the survey and mentioned the extent of success in obtaining the desired health information (fully, partially, or not-at-all) (N = 2197). Multinominal regression technique served for the multivariable analysis.
    DISCUSSION: Engagement in health information seeking via friends, family and using various websites (excluding those by Ministry of Health and Health Funds) was associated with the increased likelihood of partial success in getting the desired information. Education level and population group, affected level of success.
    CONCLUSIONS: The (partial) success in meeting health consumers' information needs is associated with the turn to particular sources. Public health professionals and health provider institutions should improve provision and delivery of health information to meet consumer health information needs.
    Keywords:  Israel; consumer health information; health information needs; information seeking behaviour; public health; statistical methods; statistical models
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12434
  4. Journal of academic librarianship. 2022 Jul;48(4): 102534
      Purpose: This study analyze academic library services during Covid-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021), as well as the challenges they face, emerging library roles, and the most effective communication tools.Method: A systematic review of the relevant literature was undertaken following PRISMA guidelines. The relevant literature was retrieved from four major scholarly databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA), and Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA)). The relevant 23 studies were included fulfilling inclusion criteria. A quality assessment of the included studies was also performed.
    Findings: The findings revealed that Covid-19 pandemic is certainly effecting and transforming libraries, their services and management. The library services during Covid-19 pandemic, their fundamental challenges, emerging roles, and available preferable communications tools are the categories in this study to better understand the pandemic-transformation.
    Implications: The practical and policy implications are that libraries must establish infrastructure and improve accessibility in order to provide the best possible support to modern library users who access resources remotely in this rapidly evolving digital environment. Organizational policymakers and library directors should prepare emergency and disaster management plans. The libraries should ensure their presence on social media and make use of their library websites.
    Keywords:  Academic libraries; Capacity building; Emerging roles; Fake news; Libraries challenges; Library services
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2022.102534
  5. BMJ Simul Technol Enhanc Learn. 2021 ;7(6): 524-527
      Purpose of the study: SARS-CoV-2 has caused healthcare systems globally to reorganise. A pandemic paradox emerged; while clinicians were desperate for information on a new disease, they had less time to find and evaluate the vast volume of publications at times of significant strain on healthcare systems.A multidisciplinary team undertook a weekly literature search capturing all COVID-19 publications. We also monitored free open access medical education (FOAMed) sources for emerging themes. Title and abstract screening pooled the most relevant papers for emergency medicine. Three summary types were created, a 'Top 5 Flash Update', a journal club and a rapid response to emerging FOAMed themes. From these summaries, three modes of dissemination were used: short written summaries, blogs and podcasts. These were amplified through social media.Study design: A retrospective review was conducted assessing the impact of this knowledge dissemination strategy for the period of March to September 2020.
    Results: In total, 64 687 papers were identified and screened. Of the papers included in the 'Top 5', 28.3% were on epidemiology, 23.6% treatment, 16.7% diagnostics, 12% prognosis, 8.7% pathophysiology with the remaining 10.7% consisting of PPE, public health, well-being and 'other'. We published 37 blogs, 17 podcasts and 18 Top 5 Flash Updates. The blogs were read 138 343 times, the Top 5 Flash Updates 68 610 times and the podcasts had 72 501 listens.
    Conclusion: A combination of traditional academic and novel social media approaches can address the pandemic paradox clinicians are facing.
    Keywords:  emergency medicine; knowledge transfer; medical education
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjstel-2020-000817
  6. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 213-221
      The COVID-19 lockdown led to immediate changes in how Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) Health Sciences Library (HSL) would support faculty and students through the means of online learning objects (OLOs). Each Research and Education (RED) librarian is responsible for responding to the educational needs of a specific health sciences school or college as well as those of the VCU Health System. A rapid increase in the OLO creation required a mechanism to curate these objects, make them available to all liaisons, and standardize workflows. The act of curating and creating standardized workflows would allow for easier management and updating of content, the ability to share and cross-pollinate content between liaisons, and the prevention of duplicated content by liaisons, thus lessening the workload. Support from key stakeholders, including RED administrators, the Online Learning Librarian (OLL), and the Multimedia Teaching and Learning Librarian (MTLL), enabled a team of RED librarians (who formed an Online Learning Team (OLT)) to standardize workflows and upload them to the department's intranet for future reference.
    Keywords:  Health Sciences Library; Online Learning Objects (OLOs); Workflows; information management; online instruction
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2054188
  7. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 148-156
      The profound transformation of medical libraries over the last twenty years reflects the advancements in medical education and health care delivery, increased expectations of users, and accelerated evolution of technology. The Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library (CWML) used this opportunity to rethink how staffing could be redeployed to accommodate these new developments. After assessing processes, workflows, and individual responsibilities, library administration devised a novel team approach that would allow clerical & technical (C&T) staff to work across departmental lines to provide a broader variety of in-depth and frontline services. This paper will share how the C&T staff at the CWML developed a broader skill set, while providing library services to users in the rapidly changing field of medical education and health care services.
    Keywords:  Cross training; library support staff; medical library
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2062167
  8. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 204-212
      Cyberattacks on healthcare organizations increased dramatically in 2020 and 2021. The University of Vermont Medical Center suffered an attack in October 2020, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruption to hospital computer systems had wide-ranging impacts, including loss of online access to the medical library for nearly three months. Library staff worked to reduce impacts and increase access for hospital employees until full access was restored. This case study offers lessons learned and resources for health sciences libraries planning for a potential cyberattack.
    Keywords:  Cyberattack; cybersecurity; healthcare; hospital; library; ransomware
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2054198
  9. Semergen. 2022 Apr 30. pii: S1138-3593(22)00023-5. [Epub ahead of print]
      This article focuses on the second step of a systematic review, i.e. how to identify relevant studies for the planned review. The search, using terms related to the questions framed in the previous step, should be comprehensive. However, it is important to establish selection criteria to include relevant studies and to exclude those that might present a risk of bias at this stage. Details such as broadening the spectrum of electronic databases consulted, avoiding restricting searches to a single language, managing references correctly, and recording decisions made throughout the process are winning factors for successful study identification.
    Keywords:  Bases de datos; Búsqueda bibliográfica; Criterios de exclusión; Criterios de inclusión; Databases; Exclusion criteria; Inclusion criteria; Literature search; Revisión sistemática; Systematic review
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semerg.2021.12.006
  10. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 127-137
      The Health Science Center Libraries at the University of Florida formalized, focused, and expanded their diversity, equity, and inclusion-related activities by creating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team. This paper describes the activities of the Team from 2018 to 2020, including efforts related to assessment, programming, promotion, and space. Future plans are also discussed. The Team activities described here can serve as models for other health science libraries with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
    Keywords:  Diversity; equity; health science libraries; inclusion; initiatives; medical libraries
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2054178
  11. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 169-177
      The creation of the current awareness service, Hot Topics, provides opportunities for research engagement while preventing duplicate literature requests and information silos across three campuses. The service provides additional opportunities for the librarians to promote and enhance library resources and services, support evidence-based practice, as well as participate in research projects and studies. Additionally, the service continues the librarians' support of both the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet and Joint Commission reaccreditation efforts.
    Keywords:  Collaboration; current awareness service; electronic resources; evidence-based practice; information dissemination; information repackaging service; literature searches
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2058813
  12. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 138-147
      The Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine collaborated with the college's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to enhance its existing diversity programming, created to foster a sense of community throughout the college. Through this partnership, a library-driven idea for an occasional diversity-themed lunch and learn session gained valuable institutional support and transformed into a larger event series. A second related project emerged with a goal of creating a diversity corner for the college. These collaborative efforts have helped the library further its mission to be an inclusive entity within the college and have afforded the library greater programming reach.
    Keywords:  Departmental collaboration; Human Library; diversity; library programming
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2054179
  13. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 157-168
      This article provides a detailed description of a professional development initiative taking place in a fully online modality. The project sought to share asynchronous learning objects and support a community of practice around online instructional design. Beyond the practical and theoretical underpinnings of the initiative, the strategies employed to develop and deliver the project are explained. Additionally, detailed analysis of participation and lessons learned are presented that may be applied to relevant online professional development initiatives in other academic library settings.
    Keywords:  Community of practice; learning objects; professional development
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2054182
  14. Methods Mol Biol. 2022 ;2449 3-25
      With the evermore emphasis put on open science and its invaluable benefits to the scientific community, it is no longer the case where a research project simply ends with a scientific publication. The benefits of data sharing and reproducibility of results have taken the centerpiece within the life science research supported by FAIR principles that firmly underline the importance of open data. The current data-intensive multidisciplinary research has also highlighted the significance of how data is mined and managed. Here we describe some of the features adopted by EMBL-EBI data resources to support data mining, data quality, and data management. We also highlight how EMBL-EBI has responded to the current pandemic through its data resources.
    Keywords:  Biology-driven portals; Biomolecular databases; Data deposition databases; Data management; Data quality; Knowledgebases
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2095-3_1
  15. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 178-184
      The Health Evidence database is a collection of over 7,000 systematic reviews from multiple databases relating to the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of public health interventions. Standardized criteria are utilized by the Health Evidence research team to assess and evaluate each systematic review included in the database, and every review is assigned a quality rating. By providing users with evidence that has already been evaluated, Health Evidence can save researchers and public health officials valuable time and resources when implementing public health measures.
    Keywords:  Online database; public health interventions; review; systematic reviews
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2054193
  16. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022 Apr-Jun;41(2):41(2): 185-201
      Medical librarians collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to improve the quality and accessibility of medical information, which includes assembling the best evidence to advance health equality through teaching and research. This column brings together brief cases highlighting the experiences and perspectives of medical librarians, educators, and healthcare professionals using their organizational, pedagogical, and information-analysis skills to advance health equality indexing.
    Keywords:  Controlled vocabulary; curriculum mapping; health equity; health inequities; health status disparities; information literacy instruction; medical subject headings; ontologies
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2060638
  17. BMC Neurol. 2022 May 05. 22(1): 170
      BACKGROUND: Aquatic physiotherapy is becoming a more frequently utilised treatment for people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Consumers are increasingly accessing information regarding health choices online, and it is not known what type or quality of information regarding aquatic physiotherapy is available.METHODS: Web-based platforms (Facebook™, Twitter™, YouTube™, Instagram™, blogs and the web) were searched using the Awario© social listening software. Webpages had to be in English, mention PD, aquatic physiotherapy and its effects. Quality of webpages was assessed using a modified DISCERN tool and content analysis summarised reported effects.
    RESULTS: Awario© identified 2992 entries, with 133 assessed using the modified DISCERN tool. A small number (n = 31, 24%) described the effects of aquatic physiotherapy for people with PD. Quality of webpages was low, with many lacking information regarding clear sources of information, contraindications to aquatic physiotherapy and descriptions of the therapeutic environment. Content analysis showed several themes; general physical, PD-specific and psychosocial effects. More than a third of webpages indicated that aquatic physiotherapy would improve strength, balance, pain and aid relaxation. A large number (n = 96, 72%) described at least one hydrodynamic or hydrostatic property of water, most commonly buoyancy (n-83, 62%).
    CONCLUSIONS: Overall quality of information was poor, and it is recommended that webpages list all potential contraindications to aquatic physiotherapy and direct consumers to discuss potential participation with their healthcare professionals. Webpages also should include information regarding the therapeutic environment, disclose sources of information and focus on enablers to exercise to improve engagement of people with PD in aquatic physiotherapy.
    Keywords:  Aqua; Aquatic; Hydrotherapy; Parkinson’s; Physiotherapy; Therapy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02669-3
  18. Am J Mens Health. 2022 Mar-Apr;16(2):16(2): 15579883221094716
      This study aims to critically appraise the quality of vasectomy-related health information currently available on YouTube to better address patient information needs moving forward. A YouTube search was performed using the keyword "vasectomy." The first 100 videos were assessed, with irrelevant and duplicate videos excluded. Two independent reviewers evaluated the remaining videos using the DISCERN instrument for evaluating the quality of information and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual materials (PEMAT-A/V) for assessing the understandability and actionability of materials. Source characteristics and markers of bias and misinformation were also collected. Seventy-eight videos were included in the study, with a mean duration of 6.6 minutes and mean of 216,672 views. The median DISCERN score was poor at 28 (IQR 22-33) out of a possible 80 with mean PEMAT-AV Understandability and Actionability scores of 67.6% (±16.7%) and 33.8% (±36.2%), respectively. A medical doctor was present in 61 (78.2%) of the videos, of which 53 (86.9%) were urologists and 38 (62.2%) promoted their personal practice or institution. False statements regarding vasectomy were made in 14 (17.9%) videos. Notably, no significant difference was noted in quality, understandability, or actionability of videos created by those with personal promotion to those without. The quality of information regarding vasectomy on YouTube is poor and reaches a wide audience. Continued appraisal and creation of YouTube videos that contain quality, understandable and actionable information by urologists is necessary to ensure patients are well-informed.
    Keywords:  Internet; consumer health information; health care; permanent contraception; quality assurance; reproductive; vasectomy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883221094716
  19. J Emerg Nurs. 2022 Apr 29. pii: S0099-1767(22)00063-0. [Epub ahead of print]
      BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the content, reliability, popularity, and quality of YouTube videos for patients learning how to self-administer subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin injections.METHODS: A systematic review of YouTube videos was conducted on August 20, 2021, using the keywords of "Low-molecular-weight heparin injection," "Enoxaparin injection," "Heparin injection," "Dalteparin injection," and "Tinzaparin injection." Two independent emergency physicians evaluated included videos separately with 5 different score systems (1- Journal of American Medical Association Score, 2-The Video Power Index, 3- Global Quality Scale, 4- Modified 5 Point DISCERN, 5- Total Comprehensiveness Score).
    RESULTS: Of 458 videos, a total of 161 unique videos were included. Of these, 94 (58.4%) were classified as useful and 67 (41.6%) as containing misleading information. The total number of views was 6,245,284 in useful information videos. DISCERN score (median 4, P < .001), Global Quality Score (median 4, P < .001), Journal of American Medical Association Score (median 4, P < .001), and Total Comprehensiveness Score (median 6, P < .001) were higher in the Useful Information Group.
    CONCLUSIONS: Nurse and physician prescreening and prescoring the accuracy and quality of specific low molecular weight heparin injection self-administration videos before recommending YouTube to patients is warranted. Policies to limit the spread of health misinformation through credibility scoring and evaluation are needed on social media sites such as YouTube.
    Keywords:  COVID-19; Heparin injection; LMWH injection; Online education; YouTube
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2022.03.007
  20. Anaesthesist. 2022 May 02.
      BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In today's rapidly changing world, the technology of social media is widely used for educational purposes. Our aim in this study was to investigate the accuracy and efficacy of video presentations of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy procedures available on the international video sharing website YouTube.METHODS: On 1 December 2020, the terms "percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy" and "percutaneous tracheostomy" were entered into the search feature of YouTube ( www.youtube.com ). The evaluation was made in three categories; general information about percutaneous tracheostomy, performing percutaneous tracheostomy steps and demographic features of videos.
    RESULTS: The median number of viewings of the videos on the date our data were collected was 1342 (IQR, 237-8052), and the most watched video had been viewed 325,170 times. Surgical site cleaning was explained in 46 (65.7%) videos and incision site detection in 55 (78.6%) videos. Needle aspiration into the trachea, insertion of the Seldinger guidewire, dilatation, and tracheal tube placement were covered in all videos (70; 100%). Confirmation of the location of the tracheal tube with end tidal capnography, the last step of the procedure, is available in 34 videos (48.6%).
    CONCLUSION: The use of inexpensive or freely available teaching materials is possible but should always be checked before use with respect to the completeness and correctness of the content conveyed. The unreflected adoption of such content can lead to serious treatment errors.
    Keywords:  Medicine education; Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy; Social media; Youtube
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00101-022-01122-x