Update on NN/LM National Outreach Initiatives

Posted by Hannah Sinemus on November 20th, 2013 Posted in: The MAReport
Tags: 2013 Issue 4

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MAR Highlights

Renae Barger, Executive Director

In the 2012-2013 contract year, the eight regional medical libraries and the National Network Office identified four national outreach initiatives.  The regional medical libraries have been working collaboratively to identify best practices to focus outreach activities toward:

1. Community College Librarians
2. K-12 staff
3. Adoption of MedlinePlus Connect into electronic health records and patient portals; and
4. Promoting the use of ClinicalTrials.gov results

I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the progress made related to these initiatives and NN/LM MAR specific outreach activities in these areas.

Community College Librarians

Goal: Improve health information access in community colleges for librarians, students, faculty, and staff, because of the important role they play in the training and development of the allied health professions.

Strategy: Each region will conduct promotional and training activities that focus on community colleges and report these activities to NLM.

MAR Specific Outreach to Meet the Targeted Goal: 

• MAR has solicited feedback from community college librarians in the region to assess particular needs.
• Messages regarding the benefits of NN/LM and NLM resources have been posted to community college library social media and listservs.
• MAReport newsletter article:  Health Information Access in Community College Libraries: Help Us Help You!
• MAR has exhibited and promoted NLM resources at 4 state library association meetings and SUNYLA.
• MAR has conducted 4 site visits to community college libraries and welcomed 17 new community college libraries as NN/LM MAR members.
• A LibGuide has been created for community college librarians.
• Navigating Health Information for Community Colleges:  A webinar targeting community college librarians was offered in the fall and registration is open for December 2013.

The primary NN/LM MAR contact for community college outreach is Missy Harvey: mjharvey@pitt.edu

K-12

Goal: Promote health and science information resources to the K-12 community.

Strategy: Provide training to K-12 audiences (such as teachers, school librarians, school nurses, and other groups that work with youth) and promote use of online health information resources among these audiences through exhibits, demonstrations, and other outreach activities.

MAR-Specific Outreach to Meet the Targeted Goal:

• MAR has exhibited and promoted K-12 resources at 8 exhibits targeting school nurses, librarians and science teachers.
• MAR has offered 7 workshops as part of the program during state science conventions and school nurse conferences.
• MAR has conducted 12 site visits to K-12 schools and welcomed 9 new schools as NN/LM members.
• September Boost Box webinar:  School is in Session: Resources for K-12 Educators
• Presentations have been offered for the State Libraries to reach school and public librarians.
• A LibGuide has been created for K-12 professionals.
• MAReport newsletter article:  Explore, Discover, Enjoy: NLM Resources for K-12 Populations
• MAR has funded 5 outreach awards to provide training on NLM and other reputable resources to K-12 populations.

Primary NN/LM MAR contacts for K-12 outreach are Lydia Collins: lydia@pitt.edu and Renae Barger: rbarger@pitt.edu.

MedlinePlus Connect

Goal:  Support NLM’s promotion of MedlinePlus Connect by educating key stakeholders about MedlinePlus Connect in the context of meaningful use of EHRs. The key stakeholders and stakeholder organizations identified in this initiative are Community Health Centers, Regional Extension Centers, and librarians at NN/LM member institutions.

Strategy: Educate and promote implementation of MedlinePlus Connect into electronic health records and patient portals.

MAR-Specific Outreach to Meet the Targeted Goal:

• MAR has exhibited at 6 annual meetings attended by key stakeholders.
• A workshop was offered on MedlinePlus Connect and meaningful use at the “Health IT for the Underserved Conference” and the PAeHI Annual Health IT Summit on Consumer Engagement.
• MAR has offered 5 presentations to librarians and/or IT professionals at health systems and community health centers.
• October 2012 Boost Box webinar:  MedlinePlus Connect in a Community Health Center
• MAR has funded 2 outreach awards to analyze usage of MedlinePlus Connect and promote patient adoption from the patient portal.

Primary NN/LM MAR contacts for MedlinePlus Connect outreach are Michelle Burda: mburda@pitt.edu and Renae Barger: rbarger@pitt.edu.

ClinicalTrials.gov Results

Goal: Increase use of the ClinicalTrials.gov Results database

Strategy:  Offer training on the ClinicalTrials.gov Results to librarians and promote ClinicalTrials.gov Results in presentations and exhibits for librarians, researchers, grant administrators, and compliance officers.

MAR-Specific Outreach to Meet the Targeted Goal:

• A new 3-week online course will be offered to MAR librarians beginning December 2.  Register Now!
• MAReport newsletter article in this issue: ClinicalTrials.gov:  A resource for patients, clinicians, researchers and librarians.

The primary NN/LM MAR contact for ClinicalTrials.gov Results outreach is Kate Flewelling: flewkate@pitt.edu.

I encourage you to consider an outreach award to meet the goals of one of these initiatives.  Your organization may be eligible for a $15,000 award.  Call for proposals will be announced in January 2014.  It is not too soon to start planning now and arrange a free consultation with a MAR staff member to discuss your ideas.