Wessel CB et al.
Evaluation of a self-paced learning module to teach responsible literature searching for research
J Med Libr Assoc. 2010 Jan;98(1):82-5.
The article discusses something that is extremely important, and unfortunately as good as neglected in our country, especially as we are growing in the volume of Clinical Research that we do. It refers to the death of a volunteer in a clinical trial carried out in a major university, due to an insufficient literature search. We had highlighted this in an earlier newsletter (July 2009), and had mentioned that the University of Pittsburgh had brought out an excellent guideline through a self-paced tutorial. This article evaluates this learning module. Around 1175 participants went through the module. Around 80% of participants felt that the module would change the way they would carry out their professional responsibilities when they conducted clinical trials!
As always we at QMed stress, that in India, we do not give literature searching significant importance even in medical education – especially the PG thesis. The lacuna in knowledge of literature searching is something we have been observing steadily, and articles like these highlight the urgency with which training in good literature searching becomes part of the medical curriculum, research and for those working in Clinical Trials
Appeared in QMedCONNECT Vol 3, Issue 2, Feb 2010
