HSL Pilots Critical Appraisal Institute for Librarians
The six-week online program aims to develop librarians’ critical appraisal skills via enhanced understanding of research design, biomedical statistics, and clinical reasoning to apply knowledge in teaching target populations and assuming leadership roles in teaching evidence-based medicine (EBM).
The Health Sciences Library (HSL) piloted the first Critical Appraisal Institute for Librarians (CAIFL) on January 23, made possible by a National Network of Libraries of Medicine Middle Atlantic Region Symposium Award.
The program covers assessment; self-directed learning through video, readings and problem sets; small group facilitated exercises; and plenary talks by physician and librarian experts in evidence based practice and critical appraisal. Read the full article on the Critical Appraisal Institute for Librarians.
“After this course is complete, it is my goal that we continue to serve as a cohort and continue to practice these skills, perhaps with additional journal clubs, online discussions or other interactions,” said Marie T. Ascher, M.S., M.P.H., the Lillian Hetrick Huber Endowed Director of the Health Sciences Library and the principle investigator of the award.
Forty-two participants, who were accepted in a competitive application process, took part in the first session that included two speakers, Terry Shaneyfelt, M.D., M.P.H., professor of medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and Andrew Coyle, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and medical education and associate program director for ambulatory care in the internal medicine residency program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, followed by a breakout session to meet with group facilitators.