A Clinical Librarian Embedded in Medical Education: Patient-Centered Encounters for Preclinical Medical Students

ABSTRACT

Adding patient encounters and simulation to the preclinical years of medical school is becoming increasingly popular. This article describes the creation of active learning opportunities by a clinical librarian that are aimed at training preclinical students through the use of simulated patient scenarios. Scenarios for second-year students walk them through the evidence-based resources needed in clinical years and beyond through a standardized patient encounter. Scenarios for first-year students involve role-play of cases where the patient and physician bring contrasting ideas to the outpatient interaction. All scenarios are carried out under the guidance of a clinician and librarian.

KEYWORDS:

• Clinical librarians
• evidence-based medicine
• health literacy
• literature searching
• medical curriculum
• medical libraries
• standardized patients
• team-based learning

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lindsay Blake

Lindsay Blake, MLIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Clinical Services Librarian, UAMS Medical Library, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., #586, Little Rock, AR 72205.

Frances M. Yang

Frances M. Yang, PhD ([email protected]) is Director of Evidence-Based Medicine Curriculum, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th St, AE-1035, Augusta, GA 30912.

Hutton Brandon

Hutton Brandon ([email protected]) is a third-year medical student, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, AB-111, Augusta, GA 30912.

Benjamin Wilson

Benjamin Wilson ([email protected]) is a third-year medical student, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, AB-111, Augusta, GA 30912.

Renee Page

Renee Page, MD, FACOG ([email protected]) is Associate Dean of Curriculum, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, AB-111, Augusta, GA 30912.