Strengthening Consumer Health Information Delivery

Abstract

Hospitals face the challenge of promoting the health information services they offer to the public. St. John's medical librarians developed a plan called the Consumer Health Education and Promotion Project, funded in part by an impact grant from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine—Mid Continental Region. Targeting a 23-county region in southwest and south central Missouri and northwest Arkansas, the impact grant provided funding for travel expenses, presentation equipment, and temporary staff. Over a two-year period, the grant provided funding for 390 visits to health clinics, public libraries, and county health departments. Additionally, 23 presentations were completed to health professionals and the public. Librarians educated referral sources about locating quality consumer health information and promoted the St. John's Community Health Library as a key regional resource.

Key Words:

• Access to information
• community-institutional relations
• consumer health information
• consumer health libraries
• public libraries
• marketing methods