Literature Searching in Medical Education: Online Tutorial Development from Idea to Creation

Abstract

The medical education literature is growing, and the result is not only greater knowledge, but an increasing complexity in locating quality evidence-based information. In 2008, eight librarians partnered with the Association of American Medical Colleges to research, conceptualize, and build an online module to develop medical educators’ search skills. Developing an online instructional module is a time-consuming, multi-stage process requiring the expertise of content, technical, and design specialists working in concert. Many lessons were learned, including the power of collaborative tools; the benefits of including specialists, such as graphic designers; the benefit of thoroughly surveying existing resources; and the importance of choosing technology wisely.

KEYWORDS:

• Computer-assisted instruction
• continuing education
• cooperative behaviors
• learning management systems
• medical education
• Moodle
• online tutorials
• PubMed

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lauren A. Maggio

Lauren A. Maggio, MS (LIS), MA ([email protected]) is Director of Research and Instruction, Lane Medical Library and Knowledge Management Center, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive L-109, Stanford, CA 94305-5123.

Kathy J. Davies

Kathy J. Davies, MLS ([email protected]) is Chair, Education & Information Services, Greenblatt Library, Georgia Health Sciences University, 1120 15th Street AB-123, Augusta, GA 30912-4400.

Nancy Allee

Nancy Allee, MLS ([email protected]) is Deputy Director, Health Sciences Libraries, University of Michigan, 1135 E. Catherine Street 5726, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2038.

Jim Beattie

Jim Beattie, MLS ([email protected]) is Liaison Librarian, Bio-Medical Library, University of Minnesota, 314 Diehl Hall, 505 Essex Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0334.

Donna Berryman

Donna Berryman, EdD ([email protected]) is Assistant Director, Education & Information Services, Health Science Libraries and Technologies, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642.

Dawn Littleton

Dawn Littleton, MLS ([email protected]) is Head, Public Services, Mayo Clinic Libraries, Mayo Clinic Rochester, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905.

Nancy H. Tannery

Nancy H. Tannery, MLS ([email protected]) is Associate Director for User Services, Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.

Kerry O'Rourke

Kerry O'Rourke, MLS ([email protected]) is Campus Library Director, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Library of the Health Sciences, PO 19, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.