Introduction to Healthcare Knowledge and Library Services

The range of roles in healthcare knowledge and library services are many and varied. From ‘traditional’ librarian roles to those that break new ground – including clinical, embedded and outreach librarians and knowledge managers – they are a vital ongoing support for this important sector.

This work brings together health information practitioners and researchers with a variety of experience across health information work within knowledge and library services in the NHS. It provides a comprehensive, practitioner-focused introduction to all aspects of knowledge and library work in the health sector with a focus on NHS England. The book begins with an overview of the NHS and how knowledge and library work sit within it. It then addresses such critical areas as services supporting evidence-based practice, the developing area of health information literacy, reflective practice, collaborative working, demonstrating impact and employing digital technology. The book ends with an exploration of what the future might hold for healthcare knowledge and library services such as, the rapid advance of artificial intelligence/machine learning and how it might shape those services and knowledge specialist roles.

Knowledge and library specialists offer a valuable gift to healthcare professionals – the ‘gift of time’ enabling them to make informed decisions which directly impact upon patient care. This timely book provides a valuable reference for anyone studying or looking to enter this relevant and diverse field.