Consumer health librarian

Abstract

Purpose

Aims to confirm that societal changes and access to the internet have heightened interest in health information by the general public. Patients/consumers are more involved in their health care. Patients’ rights to make informed health‐care decisions are more recognised by the medical community. Approximately 27 percent of the entire US adult population has visited a web site for health‐care purposes. Increasingly, hospitals in the USA and other countries are providing consumer health information centers for patients and their families.

Design/methodology/approach

In February 2002, a patient/consumer health information service opened at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. This article will discuss the partnership that was forged to create the Community Health Education Center (CHEC) and the role VCU Libraries has in the partnership.

Findings

Apart from the obvious value of having The Community Health Education Center, its existence has opened new doors to the three partners for networking, community outreach and obtaining extramural funding.

Originality/value

The health system's visibility in the community has increased because of CHEC's involvement in community events. The strategy and marketing department has come to rely on CHEC staff to represent the health system at exhibits as a result, whilst other VCUHS departments have learned about CHEC's mission and see CHEC staff as part of the patient care team.

Citation

Hammond, P.A. (2005), "Consumer health librarian", Reference Services Review, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 38-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907320410519469