Do quality improvement systems improve health library services? A systematic review

Quality outcomes in NHS library and knowledge services

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the approach taken in delivering the quality and impact elements of Knowledge for Healthcare, the strategic development framework for National Health Service (NHS) library and knowledge services in England. It examines the work undertaken to enhance quality and demonstrate the value and impact of health library and knowledge services. It describes the interventions developed and implemented over a five-year period 2015–2020 and the move towards an outcome rather than process approach to impact and quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study illustrates a range of interventions that have been developed, including the outcomes of implementation to date. The methodology behind each intervention is informed by the evidence base and includes professional engagement.

Findings

The outcomes approach to the development and implementation of quality and impact interventions and assets provides evidence to demonstrate the value of library and knowledge staff to the NHS in England to both high-level decision-makers and service users.

Originality/value

The interventions are original concepts developed within the NHS to demonstrate system-wide impacts and change. The Evaluation Framework has been developed based on the impact planning and assessment (IPA) methodology. The interventions can be applied to other healthcare systems, and the generic learning is transferable to other library and knowledge sectors, such as higher education.

Ten years of reviews

The March 2017 issue of the Health Information and Libraries Journal marks the 10 year anniversary of the inaugural review published in the journal's review series. The review series was conceived to meet the growing appetite of health library and information workers to access synthesised evidence to inform their practice; something we'd already been doing to support medics in their practice. This editorial looks back on the 10 years and the inspiration which saw the development of a typology of review types and associated methodologies to address the lack of consistent guidelines on the features a review should incorporate.

Health literacy and health information behavior of Florida public library users: A mixed methods study

The study aimed to examine users’ self-perceived health information behavior according to their health literacy ability. The proficiency levels for health literacy were measured by scores on the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy Ability (S-TOFHLA). The study conducted self-administered surveys with 131 public library users and semi-structured intensive interviews with 20 users as a follow-up. Surveys found that most participants had proficient levels of health literacy, and there was an association between health literacy and some demographic characteristics such as gender and educational level. The majority assessed their health information behavior as high. Interviewees identified critical barriers to seeking, evaluating, and using health information delivered by public libraries. Findings provided insights into public libraries for better assistance for their users’ particular needs such as preferred resources or services. Above all, the findings acknowledged the challenges of current services, and suggested the strategies for coping with them.

Informing the public health

Why with an increase in the amount of health information, and ways of accessing it, so many people experience poor health? What is the role of health library and information professionals in improving public health? These questions are of great interest to me. There are many examples of initiatives, particularly in the public library sector, which address health issues, however they are often very local and best practice is not always shared. Clearly changing the health status of a population requires more than information, but information is clearly an essential component. If health information is to be effective in improving public health then we need to address health literacy, and this is where health library and information professionals can play a significant role. Through this journal and the other activities of the Health Libraries Group I hope we can share good practice and explore new ways that health library and information workers can improve the health of individuals and communities.