Answering health & medical reference questions with Dean Giustini

When: Thursday, November 19, 2009 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Facility: Lynn Valley branch (computer lab), NVDPL
Location: Lynn Valley Branch North Vancouver District Public Library
1277 Lynn Valley Rd.
North Vancouver, BC

Description:

"Answering health & medical reference questions: an introduction for information professionals"

Instructor: Dean Giustini

Workshop goals:
· To develop approaches in locating credible health information in your library -and on the web
· To provide hands-on experience searching for health information in key sources, medical databases & search tools
· To discuss advanced (or expert) searching; how to deal with difficult queries using virtual reference tools, referral services & social media

Overview:
This 5-hour course focuses on identifying and using high-quality consumer and research-level sources of health information in answering reference questions in Canadian library settings. Participants are introduced to key print and electronic sources in health and various techniques used to evaluate websites ‘on the fly’. Participants will learn how to classify information needs and strategize how to locate credible, accurate information as well how to match information to patron requests. Search tools such as Google, Bing and PubMed will be used as well as fee-based sources such as the eCPS, the Cochrane Library and resources licensed by eHLBC. The instructor will use examples that touch on cultural sensitivities and health literacy.

Agenda:
1. Types of health information – online & print/license and 'free'
2. Consumer health information questions
3. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
4. Biomedical research questions
5. Current events and awareness

Methods:
Instructional methods include lecture, demonstration, discussion, small group work and hands-on exercises.

Instructor Bio:
Dean Giustini is a reference librarian at UBC's Biomedical Branch Library at Vancouver General Hospital. Definitely an "early adopter" of social media, he has gained attention for his blogging and his maintenance of the UBC Health Library wiki. Dean is an editor at Open Medicine, 2007 Canadian Hospital Librarian of the Year and one of the Library Journal's 2009 Movers and Shakers.

Maximum class size: 12

Cost: $95 BCLA Members; $125 Non-members

Registration deadline: noon, Monday, November 16, 2009 (but please register as soon as possible, as this event may sell out quickly!).

Please note – if you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email (invoice if cheque payment, receipt if credit card payment). If you have any questions about registration, please contact the BCLA Office at office@bcla.bc.ca . Cancellations will only be accepted until the registration deadline, and may be subject to a cancellation fee of up to $25.00
Ticket(s)
BCLA Member $95.00
Non-member $125.00

Click here to register