Librarian-Controlled RSS: A Novel Approach to Literature Search Follow-up

Abstract

This article attempts to gain a better understanding of how a library-mediated, RSS-generated literature update service may be received, valued, and used by health care providers in a mid-size community hospital, and considers specific quantitative feedback from providers to recommend to health science librarians—a logical approach to implementing a valuable and effective clinician-focused literature update service using RSS technology. To test the hypothesis that an RSS literature update service would be appropriate and well received across both clinical and nonclinical groups, a pilot literature update service was developed, implemented, and evaluated in an effort to measure the potential value of this service as well as to assess that the structure and processes were well aligned with the unique needs and preferences of this particular group of health care providers.

KEYWORDS:

• hospital library services
• information dissemination methods
• needs assessment
• organizational efficiency
• PubMed
• RSS