HIV/AIDS Health Information Outreach Service in San Diego

Abstract

Finding information on critical and sensitive health conditions when needed is not always easy and is especially difficult when people in need are unaware of where or how to find reliable information. To address this need, the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) Library launched a partnership project in 2008 with the San Diego Public Library, the Third Avenue Charitable Organization of the First Lutheran Church, and “The Center,” a San Diego County lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community organization to begin an HIV/AIDS Health Information Outreach Service in San Diego. The aim was to fill an information gap and raise awareness and use of the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) authoritative resources through computer access training for HIV/AIDS patients, community residents of diverse ethnic backgrounds, and health professionals who serve the afflicted. Funded in part by an NLM award for two years (2008–2010), the PCOM Library exceeded original expectations and reached more than 2,500 participants in San Diego.

KEYWORDS:

• Community outreach
• computer access training
• diverse ethnic and cultural populations
• HIV/AIDS

Acknowledgments

This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Purchase Order No. HHSN276200800514P.

A poster covering the service was presented at the Medical Library Association Annual Conference Program, Minneapolis, MN, May 14–18, 2011.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Naomi C. Broering

Naomi C. Broering, MLS, MA ([email protected]) is Dean of Libraries;

Gregory A. Chauncey

Gregory A. Chauncey, MBA, BSEE ([email protected]) is Consumer Health Program Manager;

Jack Miller

Jack Miller ([email protected]) is President; all at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, 7445 Mission Valley Road, Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92108.