Positive Health Online

Abstract

CRUMLEY, HealthInfo & Searching Practice Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, ecrumley@telus.net, has explored the role of librarians and health care professional involved with CAM therapies.

Background

The aim of the study was to qualitatively research the role of health care professionals and librarians involved with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); to identify resources these professionals use; to explore the librarians’ role as well as their approaches to teaching and searching with respect to CAM.

Methodology

Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were used.

Results

16 health care and information professionals from ten different institutions in Boston, Baltimore, and Calgary were interviewed. Major themes from the interviews were: CAM funding, integration of CAM and conventional medicine, roles of librarians, ‘hot’ CAM issues, and information access. Information about four aspects of CAM education – technology, undergraduate, graduate, and continuing – is presented. A wealth of information resources was identified. A CAM librarian’s role is unique; many specialize in specific areas of CAM, and opportunities exist for librarians to partner with CAM groups. CAM information professionals’ major roles involve information access and retrieval and education.

Conclusion

Further study is required concerning CAM consumer health, integrative CAM and conventional medicine models, and the librarian’s role in a CAM environment. CAM funding is a major concern.

References

Crumley ET. Exploring the roles of librarians and health care professionals involved with complementary and alternative medicine. Journal of the Medical Library Association 94 (1): 81-89, Jan 2006.