Using evidence to inform the vision & design of Barwon Health Library
Ann Ritchie
Director Knowledge & Health Information Literacy
Barwon Health Library Quick facts
Based in Geelong, Victoria (south of Melbourne)
Largest employer in the region
6,600 staff
•~5,000 clinicians
•400+ Junior Medical Officers (interns, residents, registrars)
Serves a catchment population 350,000-500,000, Geelong to the South Australian border
400 acute beds, all acute services except neurosurgery
+ rehabilitation
+ residential aged care
+ community health
+ health promotion
A modern teaching hospital
1852
•Geelong Infirmary & Benevolent Asylum established
1998
•Health services in the region amalgamated to form Barwon Health
2014
•University Hospital Geelong rebranded, recognising university affiliations, teaching and research functions
21 facilities in Geelong
..and expanding
The old Library
The Library is part of the expansion – time to modernise An ambitious $65M heritage redevelopment began in 2013 Artist’s impression St Mary’s Hall – a heritage building, will be Barwon Health’s new Regional Health Library
Mezzanine level Purpose of the research
To design the new Library for current and future users, aligning with strategic direction
Phase 1: Chief Resident interviews to explore how the Library could support their work
Phase 2: Junior Medical Officer survey about their past and likely future use of the Library to support their clinical work, study, teaching and research (categories derived from interviews) – quantitative, with comments Timeline
Nov 2013: interviewed 5 Chief Residents
Dec 2013: surveyed 500+ Junior Medical Officers, anonymous
Jan-Mar 2014: interviewed key informants
–Executive & directors
–Senior clinicians & senior managers
March 2014: report and 23 recommendations
March 2015: final signoff from Heritage Victoria Junior Medical Officer survey
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Intern
Resident
Registrar
%
Work Category of Respondents (n=93)
21
44
28
17% response rate ‘the Library is protected time, psychologically a place to study’ ‘there is a research imperative’ ‘often it is very hard to find space in the hospital itself to teach fellow doctors and med students’
studying for
exams
finding answers
to clinical queries
conducting
research
developing
conference/works
hop presentations
teaching medical
students/tutorials/
lectures
writing
publications
collaborating with
colleagues in
other locations (a
distributed
network)
Past use (n=91)
80.2%
75.8%
57.1%
38.5%
30.8%
22.0%
20.9%
Future use (n=92)
91.3%
83.7%
72.8%
66.3%
64.1%
67.4%
46.7%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Responses
Past use (n=91)
Future use (n=92)
Past vs intended future Library use Exam study preferences – spaces
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
sound proof rooms
(for study or so
private discussions
can happen)
individual desks or
work stations in
open spaces
group study on ‘open’ tables
single rooms
booth arrangement – bench seating with table for small group study
long benches (not
partitioned) in an
open area
%
responses
i would like a dedicated QUIET study area and one dedicated to group sessions. i think making space for both is very important, as often quiet studiers are crowded out by Generation Y's study patterns. Exam study preferences – times
24/7 access and windows (a windowless room is depressing)
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
for longer periods, on
weekends and after hours
i.e. 24/7 access
in between working and
clinical demands
as a place to settle in for
half a day, with own space
for a quick visit, to ‘pop over for 1 hour’, get in, get computer, books
%
responses Finding answers to clinical queries
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
100.0%
Reference
databases
(electronic
resources) in the
Library
Mobile (phone/ipad) access to the Library’s electronic resources
Intranet access
(clinical systems
eg BossNet)
Reference texts
and journals
(print) in the
Library
request a
literature search
for a more
complex query
Phone/pager
facilities
Subject-based
online portals
regularly updated
for each specialty
A reference
consultation (in
person)
An online or chat ‘ask a librarian’ (reference) service
An information
consultation
service for
patients who
have been
referred by a
clinician
%
responses
Less need for a physical library for the purpose of answering clinical queries: ‘point-of-care resources in my pocket (phone) and I also have online access’ Future directions in consumer health literacy
Registrar: ‘Patients bring in information.. what to do.. don’t know what the role of a library could be?
–The scariest thing for me is the patient who comes in with highlighted printouts; I don’t know what or where the good information is.
–For the patient who is never satisfied, who will keep googling – could they be directed to an independent person eg a librarian’ [with an Information Prescription from the clinician].
Context
Consumer Engagement – National Safety & Quality Standards
Consumer Focus Pillar 1 – Barwon Health Strategic Plan 2015-2020
-> Consumer health literacy ‘space’
-> Library Marketing Plan Critical Issue #1 Consumers as clients
-> Education Librarian
Research, writing, presentations
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
%
responses
No easy pathway to doing research.. library could be an integration centre sometimes I just want to talk to someone… need to know how to manage research literature, how to write a literature review (the consultant knows, but no time to teach). There’s a ‘drop in clinic’ for stats – how about a ‘drop in clinic’ for writing skills Future directions in research
Registrar: ‘The Library is the infrastructure, a source of published information AND a place to find out about research activity and support in Barwon Health’
-> Integrated spaces library/research staff, facilities, activities
-> Tutorial/meeting/teaching/videoconferencing/auditorium
-> showcase BH research, public forums, knowledge translation
-> New Research Librarian position, implementing
–Data Management Planning Tool
–Bibliographic reference management system
–Research information literacy training program
–Digital repository
Teaching
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
Small group ‘round the table’ for informal hands-on teaching
Tutorial and
lecture rooms,
presentation/te
aching facilities
Small group
tutorial rooms
for formal,
didactic
sessions
Developing and
viewing web-
based tutorials
and elearning
tools
Videoconferenc
ing
Series1
76.9%
73.1%
70.5%
35.9%
25.6%
% Responses
I conduct ICU tutorials for med students, and junior medical staff, I need less formal settings, meeting space, tutorial rooms.
I’m not affiliated with Clinical School, junior doctors are part of BH, library meeting rooms would be useful to book for teaching.
hands on teaching for information not available in books where the ‘feel’ is important
Collaborating & networking
The Library could be a recruitment/marketing opportunity, facilities for research are sought after..eg meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, a network of researchers with chief residents taking on an advisory role, involving supervisors of training for each department.
Study partners and groups can be separated and in different locations, we want to continue as a group – this is VERY common
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Videoconferencing for study
groups, research partners,
ongoing education
Research network support
meetings
Videoconferencing for interstate
fellowship meetings
Promotion of research
publications/activities using
social media
External group events
% responses Floating Mezzanine
•Natural light facing north, overlooks a void
•Glass shell (double glazed)
•Quiet study spaces on perimeter, double screens
•Central low level shelving for clear line of sight
•Study lounge with informal teaching booths
•Meeting/tutorial/teaching rooms
•Videoconferencing Ground Floor
•Café + deck connects to apartments
•Conference/Auditorium (seats 100) – Library manages bookings
•Board Room
•Consumer health literacy foyer (main entrance)
•Oral history multimedia display space
•Doctors’ Lounge
•Research staff Thank you
