Introduction

A ‘lever of change’ can be understood as a device or action that leaders can use to drive change, for instance to engage with and motivate organisations and individuals to do things differently.

When Health Education England (HEE) approved Knowledge for Healthcare, a framework for the development of National Health Service library and knowledge services in England 2015-2020, the national team recognised that two significant levers for change were already in place. Nationally the Health and Social care Act 2012 laid a duty upon the NHS to use evidence from research. Locally an individual Learning Agreement between HEE and each trust providing placements for trainees, set out responsibilities in relation to provision of library services.

Knowledge for Healthcare sets out an ambitious vision, calling for a wide-ranging change programme. In progressing the implementation of the strategy, we began to think consciously about ways in which we might influence change. This paper summarises the levers now in place as we implement the next phase of Knowledge for Healthcare 2021-2026. It reflects on some of the human factors of change as well as how we have capitalised on system drivers.

Aim

With the goal of extending, optimising and sustaining health knowledge and library service provision, the team has worked to ‘install’ a series of different types of lever. Working with colleagues in HEE and in partner organisations to build trust and ensure alignment with respective priorities has been crucial.

Program Description

There are important system drivers, including legislation and national NHS strategy and plans, on which health librarians in England can draw. To complement these the team has also put in place several different types of lever on which health library managers, stakeholders and the national team can pull to advance improvements in NHS knowledge and library services:

• Strategy
• Contract requirements
• Standards
• Policies
• Health economics analysis
• Workforce development
• Funding
• Incentives, funded innovations

Application of these levers is supported by advocacy, recruiting influential champions and telling the story of the positive impact of health knowledge services.

Evaluation

These levers were not developed to be operated as single ‘silver bullets’ to vanquish the different types of challenges that library services may face in times of austerity. Nevertheless, vignettes are helpful as a means to illustrate how levers, such as HEE’s policies and research outputs, have been impactful

The team has developed an explicit Evaluation Framework by which to assess the impact of the Knowledge for Healthcare strategy over time.

Conclusion

A strategic approach to driving change, fashioning new levers, has led to the development of a 'toolkit' that leaders can use to strengthen the positioning and sustainability of health library services. Levers for change work well in combination, together generating a climate conducive to positive change.

Human Touch (Recommended)

Referencing the NHS Change Model, this paper highlights that while system drivers, and monitoring compliance with requirements and standards are critically important, the human touch expressed through leadership, engagement and narrative is vital to attract the commitment needed to deliver and sustain change.

Introduction

The Covid19 pandemic has infected millions of people since its outbreak in December 2019, killing more than five million people worldwide. Both infected and healthy people feel the need to have essential and practical information about this pandemic. The experiences of people who have been infected and recovered from the disease can be a suitable and reliable source of information.

Aim

This study aimed to explain the information needs and lived experiences of improved Covid-19 patients.

Method/ Program Description
This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and phenomenological method. The study population included recovered patients from Covid19 who had a history of admission in medical centers. Sampling consisted of 24 people (16 males and 8 females) which were performed purposefully until saturation. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview and data analysis was performed using Dickelmann's seven-step method. Then the data were categorized into themes by analyzing and coding.
Results/ Evaluation
Based on coding the interviews, 14 main themes and 41 sub-themes were identified for the study aims (the information needs of improved patients and the lived experiences of recovered patients). The main topics of the first aim included knowledge about the symptoms, types of disease tests, lockdown, treatment, nutrition, progression of the disease during infection, communication, psychological health, following the protocols after recovery, valid information media, and access to information. The main themes of the second aim included the patient's physical symptoms during the illness, psychological pressures, prevention measures, symptoms of the disease after recovery.
Conclusion

According to the study's findings, the prevalence of COVID-19 affects the individual, family, social relationships, and lived experiences of recovered Covid-19 people. Since this research is based on fact, it can be concluded that the prevalence of Covid-19 disease can change people's experiences and the need to produce information content related to diseases for similar patients and people in the community. Therefore, the necessary measures must be taken in this regard.

Human Touch (Recommended)

Keywords: COVID 19, Information needs, Lived experience, Phenomenology, recovered patients

Introduction

Informationists conducting searches and supporting evidence synthesists during the COVID-19 pandemic faced many challenges, including an overabundance of information of varying quality; the rapid evolution of evidence; the proliferation of new databases and literature collections. These and many other issues prompted leaders of a volunteer-based professional organization to convene an international expert panel to develop best practices for searching in public health emergencies.

Aim

To develop a broad, living document of best practices for evidence searching during public health emergencies. The statement will offer fluidity and flexibility to accommodate the rapid changes of emergency information landscapes and will lay the foundation needed to address challenges encountered in future public health emergencies.

Methods

Project leads identified 12 informationists and 18 medical, health and public health experts by affiliation with evidence synthesis groups; COVID-19 search experience; and nomination. Project leads developed six core elements of the statement from the professional literature and professional experiences. An online survey of the panel established consensus on the core elements. Panel members responded to guiding questions on the agreed-upon elements and attended a series of virtual focus groups to address outstanding questions and areas of disagreement for each element.

Results

Twelve information professionals contributed to best practice recommendations on six core elements: (1) Core Resources; (2) Search Strategies; (3) Publication Types; (4) Transparency and Reproducibility; (5) Collaboration; and (6) Conducting Research. The underlying principles for these recommendations include timeliness, openness, balance, preparedness, and responsiveness.

Conclusions

The authors and experts anticipate that the recommendations outlined in this statement will aid informationists, librarians, researchers and decision-makers in their responses to the current and future public health emergencies. These recommendations complement existing guidance, including the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-S) guidelines; and address concerns faced by professionals in the current context. This statement is a living document and will be reviewed at the end of the pandemic and following the next global health emergency. Future iterations should solicit input from a broader community and reflect conclusions drawn from meta-research on the pandemic and other health emergencies. Future iterations will take into consideration evolving technologies, professional norms and other opportunities; however, the underlying principles should remain constant.

Human Touch

On a human level, the authors and expert panel felt at a loss as to how to effectively search for evidence in this chaotic information landscape. As a group, we needed to share our experiences with other professionals responding to the pandemic and to create some sense and meaning out of the work that we were doing. This best practice statement is professionals responding to the pandemic seeking ways to find order in this chaotic information landscape.

Introduction
Building effective interprofessional relationships is now a requirement of the modern health sciences library leader. Demonstrating leadership competencies recognized in health sciences librarianship as well as in adjacent professions positions library leaders to better connect the role of the library and forge future-looking partnerships. A position description (“PD”) defines employee areas of responsibility and requirements and, ideally, should reflect current standards of practice. As such, PDs are often a means through which professional standards are linked to operational practice. As standards of leadership are increasingly being integrated into competencies for health sciences professions (including health sciences librarianship), evaluating which competencies are being reflected in PDs should provide insight into how such requirements are being put into practice in the real world.
Aim
This presentation describes how PDs for health sciences library leaders and those in medicine, nursing, and healthcare administration align in relationship to identified standards, as reflected in the multidisciplinary Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) competency framework.
Method/ Program Description
Twenty PDs (5 each in the areas of leadership/management in health sciences librarianship, healthcare administration, medicine, and nursing) were obtained by searching The Chronicle of Higher Education Jobs and HigherEdJobs web portals in October - November 2021. An additional review of the MLA career page was conducted to complete the set of library postings. Five PDs mentioning leadership or management were selected randomly in each profession, and then each PD was analyzed for keyword congruence with the HLA competency framework using all 43 predefined keywords.
Results/ Evaluation
Preliminary results show that across all PDs evaluated, the top 5 most commonly addressed HLA keywords were: leadership, nursing, staff, management, and community. HLA keywords that were not mentioned at all across all four professions were: reimbursement, self awareness, and theory. In health sciences librarianship PDs evaluated, the most frequently used HLA keywords were: diversity, staff, information systems, and technology. Results indicate that PDs reflect alignment with many competencies for leadership in health-related professions, including health sciences librarianship, with an average of 32.25 of 43 HLA leadership competencies. Hospital administration position descriptions on average addressed the most HLA keywords (n=36), followed by medicine (n=34), nursing (n=31) and health sciences librarianship (n=28). More results will be evaluated and discussed at the EAHIL 2022 conference.
Conclusion

This lesser congruence with HLA keyword representation in the set of PDs for health sciences librarianship might present an opportunity to consider and include leadership competencies that resonate more with health professions colleagues that we intersect with daily in PDs for librarian roles. For health sciences librarians in leadership positions, or for any health sciences librarians working with interprofessional leaders, emphasizing and practicing cross-disciplinary leadership skills could demonstrate alignment and shared values across the professions. Many of the HLA keywords reflect skills that can be readily acquired by health sciences librarians via continuing education and participation in conferences (such as EAHIL) that provide learning opportunities around these skills.

Human Touch (Recommended)

Incorporating language and skills from adjacent health-oriented professions can be beneficial to librarians to better connect with colleagues in these fields.

Introduction
With significant variation in practice reported across NHS Knowledge and Library Services when performing mediated evidence searches for healthcare staff, Health Education England (HEE) sought to address disparities and ensure uniformity and quality of service, by creating guidance for healthcare library staff to follow when performing mediated evidence searches on end-users' (healthcare staff's) behalf.
Aim

To report how a working group of NHS and non-NHS librarians from London, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex created guidance for librarians performing mediated evidence searches. This will include a history of the guide's composition and explanation for the decisions made behind its organisation.
Method/ Program Description
The 2nd edition of the guidance available at will be showcased after notes on its creation with a slideshow focusing on the structure of the guidance, and some key entries that demonstrate how a user would follow it when first approaching it for help with a search.
Results/ Evaluation
The impact and usage of the guidance will be reported, with feedback from users highlighted, and plans for the 3rd edition will be announced. Alot has changed in the healthcare information searching area since the 2nd edition's publication and here we will explain how the guidence's next edition will reflect these changes and help users in the new landscape.
Conclusion

Delegates will be encouraged to try using the guidance, to share their experience, and share ther ideas for how it could be improved.

Human Touch (Recommended)

Users of the guidance have been the focus of this project, and every facet of its construction was designed to encourage and reassure users as they search. A truly collaborative piece of work that has reached far beyond its regional bounds, it is hoped that by showcasing the 2nd edition of the guidance and building further relationships, we can continue to improve it and help our colleagues.

Introduction

Books can contribute to the well-being of a person: they have a therapeutic potential and a positive effect, limiting the sense of isolation that patients and the healthcare staff may feel during hospitalization, and nurturing a sense of connection, empathy and being in the present. The Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS) is the first and only Institute in the Veneto region (Italy) specifically dedicated to cancer research and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Institute has offices, laboratories and hospitals located in three different cities in the region; in the latter, the new Hospice was inaugurated in 2020: a structure with six bedrooms that welcomes patients in an advanced stage of oncological disease.

Aim

With the purpose of improving the quality of life and making the Hospice a more reassuring and less impersonal place, the IOV scientific library has designed a pilot project called “Letture inattese” (Unexpected readings) that brings novels, short stories, poetry, graphic novels and illustrated books to guests, carers and the health workforce of the Hospice.

Method

People that wish to participate do not choose a book, but a topic of interest between the themes that we have developed, and receive a closed fabric bag with 5 unexpected books. The themes that people can choose from are: The stars, the universe and everything else; Chlorophyll and oxygen: animals and plants; Coloured and black and white images; Intertwining: stories and adventurous encounters; Back and forth: wandering the world.

By delivering the books in closed bags, we act in compliance with the anti Covid-19 regulations (once returned and before being loaned to patients, all books will be isolated and subjected to the quarantine procedure, according to official guidelines) and we offer a moment of surprise that breaks with the Hospice everyday routine.

Results
The books that conform this first patients’ library (about 50 titles for each theme) were selected by the IOV librarians in collaboration with Hospice staff, local booksellers and friends, based on these criteria: long readings and heavy books were excluded as well as all material regarding oncology or health related issues; we chose easy to hold and leaf through books and adventurous stories to read. A small collection of illustrated books for children that visit their loved ones was also included.
Conclusion

This project lays the foundations for the creation of a network that connects the hospital and the cultural veneto community: through this project we have launched a collaboration with two independent bookstores in the region and we envision new connections growing from the seeds of this first patients’ library at IOV.

Human Touch

With the people in mind, rather than their illness, our way of approaching the project aimed at the creation of a moment of wonderment, relief and leise through the beauty that can be found in books. This new library creates opportunities for deepening the quality of human relationships between the patients, their families and healthcare professionals via a humanistic perspective on palliative care.