Helping Improve Dissemination of Research: Toastmasters Is a Novel Mechanism

Abstract

Competencies for health professionals and students often include the ability to transfer knowledge to different audiences in a variety of ways. Consultation, presentation, teaching, multimedia, and posters are some examples. A recent question on a national listserv about writing, editing, and proofreading services in health sciences libraries prompted this column about a potentially novel way of helping students and faculty in health disciplines to improve their abilities to communicate professionally. In addition to the poster design and review services that one library offers, it is also the host of two Toastmasters International clubs that provide participants a nonthreatening, real-world environment to improve the content, structure, methods, and delivery of their written and spoken messages. A librarian on staff is a member of and serves as liaison to the two clubs.

KEYWORDS:

• Communication
• competencies
• liaison services
• public speaking
• research dissemination
• Toastmasters International

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author thanks Claudia G. Christy, R.N., M.S.N., C.C.R.C., D.T.M for her careful reading of the manuscript and many helpful suggestions.

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Toni Hoberecht ([email protected]) and Kimberly Pullen ([email protected]).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Francesca Allegri

Francesca Allegri, MSLS ([email protected]) is Head of User Services, Health Sciences Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 335 S. Columbia Street, Campus Box 7585, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7585.