ILB, an e-learning course for Hospital Doctors in the Regione Emilia Romagna: regenerating the medical librarian profession

Abstract

Objectives. The ILB Project (Information Literacy in Biomedicine) funded a survey of the main information skills needs in Regione Emilia Romagna Hospitals; an e-learning course was devised in order to meet these needs. The purpose of this paper is twofold: 1) to explain the blended learning choice and its implications for the course 2) to show how these medical librarians could enhance their professional role in teaching through the use of the e-learning platform. Methods. The ILB Project team decided to use the e-learning methodology to change the way in which Doctors are trained; this choice was done to improve compliance with the course, as the delivery is much more flexible in term of time and space. In addition, these medical librarians were extensively trained to interact with the course participants through the e-learning platform (Moodle), to answer questions and provide further teaching and guidance in person and online. Consequently, right from the start, the focus of the Project was on the co-operative use of new communication technologies. Results. The Project achieved its two main objectives: to develop a new learning methodology for strategic information skills and to heighten awareness of the medical librarians’ professional knowledge, supporting the Doctors’ searching skills. Conclusions. New learning technologies can be used to promote changes in a collaborative to teaching and support. ILB has brought about this important and successful development.