Developing an evidence-based public health informatics course

• Published in: Journal of the Medical Library Association Vol. 103; no. 4; pp. 194 - 197
• Main Authors: Yu, Xinyu, Xie, Yue, Pan, Xuequn, Mayfield-Johnson, Susan, Whipple, Jessica, Azadbakht, Elena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Medical Library Association 01.10.2015; University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Collaboration; Community-Institutional Relations; Consumer health information; Curriculum; Education; Focus groups; Health care industry; Health informatics; Humans; Information sources; Information technology; Librarians; Libraries, Medical; Library and information science; Library associations; Library science; Medical informatics; Medical librarians; Medical libraries; Medical personnel; Medical students; Methods; Needs Assessment; Program Development; Public health; Public health administration; Public Health Informatics - education; Qualitative research; Research Communications; Rural areas; Schools of library and information science; Students; Studies; Study and teaching; Surveys; Technology application; Workforce; United States; Mississippi; Community-Institutional Relations; Public Health Informatics; Education, Public Health Professional; Needs Assessment
• ISSN: 1536-5050; 1558-9439
• DOI: 10.3163/1536-5050.103.4.007

This study assessed the need to develop a public health informatics (PHI) introductory course and determine contents of such a course. Community assessments employing focus group interviews and an online survey were utilized to determine course need and content. Results revealed a need to provide PHI training to graduate public health students and suggested broad course content requirements. Results indicated lack of awareness of libraries and librarians as sources of public health information. A graduate PHI course was developed and delivered. Additionally, implementation of a subject guide increased the library's profile.