Input Needed! Library resources being considered for possible cancellation

The Health Sciences Library subscribes to a number of “point-of-care” tools.  These are online information resources for answering patient-related questions during the daily practice of healthcare providers.  The aim of these resources is to synthesize available evidence on major clinical topics.  Some basic features shared by these tools include:

• Synthesis of current evidence for diagnosis, interventions and therapy
• Designed for rapid consultation at the point of patient care
• Information that is evidence-based, frequently updated and contains links to relevant literature
• Drug information, ICD coding, patient information, and smartphone apps

Why is the library considering cancelling subscriptions to these point-of-care tools?  Publishers continue to dramatically raise prices each year despite the challenging economic conditions faced by libraries across the nation.  The average annual price increase for a subscription to an electronic resource is 8%.  Because subscription prices increase every year, library resources need to be reviewed every year.  Evaluating “point-of-care” tools is the first phase of a process the library will undertake in the coming year that will involve evaluating all resources and asking for feedback from faculty, students and staff about their usefulness.  Since the library subscribes to a number of “point-of-care” tools, there is likely some redundancy that could be eliminated.

Currently there are five point-of-care tools that the library is considering for possible cancellation:

• ACP PIER & ACP Journal Club
• Clinical Evidence
• DynaMed
• MD Consult
• First Consult
• Nursing Consult

The Health Sciences Library is very interested in receiving feedback from Anschutz Medical Campus faculty, students and staff about the usefulness of these tools.  If you have comments or opinions about these resources, please let the Health Sciences Library know by April 25, 2012.  The library would like to know how you use these tools and why you find them useful.  Comments can be posted to this blog entry, given to your library liaison, or e-mailed to melissa.desantis@ucdenver.edu.