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National Network of Libraries for Health
Status Report to CHLA/ABSC

The National Network of Libraries for Health, CHLA/ABSC Steering Group is pleased to provide a status report on the proposal submitted to Health Canada last November. Please note that this report is for evaluation and discussion purposes, and represents the initial phase of the project review. The health library community is invited to review the document and submit their comments.

Contact Information: Hélène Valin, Project Coordinator, helene_valin@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Phase 1 (Completed)
Proposal presented to Health Canada in November 2000
Steering committee established
Review of proposal undertaken with emphasis on developing three models
Business case drafted
Key principles developed to support NNLH

Phase 2 (May- June 2001)
Consultations and assessment of proposed models with partners
Assessment of financial and funding requirements

Phase 3 (July-August 2001)
Business case finalized and presented to Health Canada

Context

Health information is of paramount importance to Canadian health practitioners and to Canadian consumers. Canada is the envy of many countries for its publicly funded and accessible health care system. However, unlike some other countries, Canada does not have a systematic way of providing access to information to those providing care, especially in rural and remote areas. This proposal presents ways in which Canada can take a lead in developing partnerships and networks to ensure that access to information is readily available across the country.

The National Network of Libraries for Health (NNLH) would be well positioned to support several key Government commitments. Through partnerships with existing health information and knowledge providers, NNLH would allow a cross-jurisdictional approach towards strengthening of health professionals. It would complement initiatives undertaken in support of building a fast lane for Canada on the information highway. The network would particularly benefit the health professionals in rural and remote areas as well as allied health professionals who have not, by and large, benefited from the existing health sciences library networks.

A National Network of Libraries for Health will encompass a central coordination function to support the services provided to health professionals. It will provide the tools to search bibliographic databases and journals for relevant articles. Through an integrated web interface, the NNLH will allow health professionals access to key resources in a timely manner. The network will provide a gateway to peer reviewed journals, evidence-based literature and important unpublished information such as hospital protocols.

The NNLH will also support continuing education for health professionals by providing access to resources and training and assistance in using the search tools. Librarian assistance and support will be available. When full-text articles are not available on the network, the NNLH will offer health professionals a registry of document delivery suppliers.

Key Principles

NNLH recognizes the critical role information and library services play in supporting health professionals and evidence-based health care.

NNLH will work in partnership with provincial health departments, national health associations, allied health professional associations, rural health professionals and other stakeholders to establish a national framework to benefit all health professionals in Canada.

NNLH acknowledges the value of existing health information and knowledge networks, health science libraries and will seek to complement and enhance services offered to health professionals.

NNLH will provide equitable access to health information by serving health professionals not currently reached by the health information and knowledge providers.

NNLH will support continuing education by providing tools / courses on information searching.

NNLH will support research by enabling access to relevant databases.

NNLH will enhance document delivery service by working in collaboration with existing services.

NNLH will position itself within the context of other Government initiatives and programs.

Proposed Models

Based on the resources available, three models are proposed. The simple model provides an organized web site and search engine, access to quality health databases and journals and support for identifying and obtaining documents. The enhanced and sophisticated models include the development of databases, a more integrated search interface and additional evidence-based content.

In the following pages each model is described, including the services that will be offered. An accompanying scenario outlines the benefits for health professionals. The three models may be considered as phases, each building on the contents of the previous model. Alternatively, in creating the network, components could be chosen from each of the models.

Simple Model

This model is set up to provide a health information portal by bringing together, organizing and disseminating information in a coordinated approach. It will provide access to:
  • health associations, health libraries, health information networks;
  • no fee health databases and journals;
  • a registry of documents delivery providers;
  • training and support to assist in searching and obtaining material;
  • information for accreditation and events for continuing education opportunities.
It will add value for health professionals by:
  • providing an evaluated health information web site with a search engine;
  • methodically selecting and organizing the material for easy searchability;
  • preparing training tools and offering librarian assistance (via e-mail or by referral back to local support through health libraries) for search advice;
  • providing information about available document delivery services.
Scenario

The health professional will have the ability to enter the NNLH website and access various no fee databases and resources to perform a search. Databases will not be linked and will need to be accessed independently. The search may bring up the citation (reference), an abstract, and in some cases the full-text article. When the full-text article is not available, the health professional will access a list of document delivery providers, determine the best service and provide the reference in order to obtain the article either electronically, by fax or by mail.

If help in searching the databases is required, the health professional will have access to training modules (non-interactive) to gain more efficient means for searching. Direct queries on search advice could be e-mailed to the librarian support service.

Health professionals will also have access through hyperlinks to professional health associations, health libraries, web sites, health information organized by health topics and information on professional accreditation. Links will also be provided to professional associations offering continuing education events.

Enhanced model

This model includes the purchase of licenses to databases and journals and integrated access to sources made available through industry standard software companies. Integrated search interfaces would be developed to provide information which would be tailored according to needs of specific groups. (e.g. view for occupational therapists, oncologists, etc). The negotiation of licensing arrangements requires dedicated management expertise. Authentication of users may be required.

This model would have all resources within the simple model, as well as:

  • integrated access to databases and resources made available through industry standard software companies (no development required);
  • systematic reviews through the Cochrane Library;
  • a core list of clinically relevant full text journals, books and clinical evidence;
  • interactive web-based courses, and funding for delivery of training packages;
  • accredited web-based and in-person courses (may be offered through health libraries).
It will add value for health professionals by:
  • providing integrated access allowing greater search capabilities across multiple databases;
  • providing access to information according to the needs of specific groups;
  • developing web-based courses and delivering training through network partnerships, which may be considered for accreditation.
Scenario

The health professional can search several databases by performing a single query. By having an integrated interface, the search will be performed on all available sources and be transparent to the user. Time efficiency is gained and research results are comprehensive. Licensing arrangements would allow a greater amount of full text availability and professionals would thus immediately have access to the articles of choice. In cases where articles are not available online, the health professional will be able to submit the request online to the appropriate location. Negotiated agreements with document delivery suppliers will ensure cost benefits.

Health professionals will be able to take an interactive course on searching web-based health information, and attend training sessions to improve search techniques. Such courses could be recognized for accreditation purposes. As in the previous model, access to librarian services for searching assistance will be available.

Sophisticated model

This model will encourage knowledge sharing and transfer among health professionals by facilitating access to a comprehensive selection of information and best practices. It will include the development of sophisticated databases to integrate sources of Canadian health related information not currently available in database format (i.e. best practice information). Web content will be created and information tailored according to specific groups and needs as well as individualized personal profiles. This model would have all resources within the simple and enhanced model, as well as access to:
  • health information from multiple sources as a result of the development of evidence-based databases;
  • enlarged database selection;
  • integrated searching capability of journals and books through the development of an intelligent search interface;
  • greater availability of full-text information via arrangements with publishers;
  • digitization of important Canadian health information;
  • real time courses, searching assistance and training services (coordinated with health libraries);
  • accredited real time continuing education courses.
It will add value for health professionals by providing:
  • customized access;
  • sophisticated search and browsing capability;
  • access to evidence-based databases;
  • access to real-time courses on searching information;
  • a triage for document delivery requests based on location and cost of items.
Scenario

The health professional will perform a single query and receive available evidence-based relevant health information. Searches will be tailored by specialty and personalized profile. This interface will provide the best available comprehensive information in the most expeditious way. A greater number of sources will be available online as a result of negotiations with publishers and digitization of literature. In cases where articles are not available online, the health professional will receive the copy electronically via a document delivery supplier.

Professionals will be able to take an interactive course on searching web-based health information, and attend real-time training sessions to improve search techniques. Such courses will be recognized for accreditation purposes.

Overall assessment

The simple model will bring together a number of important resources for health professionals. However, there is a lack of both an integrated search interface and licensed content that limits the benefits of this model.

The enhanced model allows health professionals to perform searches over a wide selection of key information resources. A number of important commercial databases, electronic books and journals are included in this model.

The sophisticated model will ensure the greatest accessibility and search capability for health professionals by integrating best practice information and developing databases of exhaustive health information. Real time searching assistance and training sessions will provide additional benefits. Information on document delivery suppliers will allow health professionals easy access to document delivery service in cases where online full-text is not available.

Next steps

To assess the needs and evaluate the proposed models, it is recommended that the Steering Committee:
  • begin consultations with the user community to evaluate the models and seek partnership opportunities;
  • assess financial requirements and funding options to support a business case for the establishment of the National Network of Libraries for Health.
This page last updated: April 26, 2001.
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