Information literacy in continuing professional development of medical practitioners: a Croatian example.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports on the training of medical practitioners in information literacy. The course is carried out by an academic medical library in collaboration with its parent institution and the local physicians' licensing body.


METHODS
The University of Zagreb Medical School (UZMS) developed an extensive continuing education programme for residents and practitioners, in partnership with the Croatian Chamber of Physicians. Within this programme, the Central Medical Library (CML) offers a hands-on course on searching and appraisal of medical information.


METHODS
Continuing professional development (CPD) helps physicians update and develop the skills and knowledge they require in their everyday practice. The ability to locate, critically evaluate, and use medical information is an important component of CPD. The CML has developed a course entitled "Finding and Appraisal of Medical Information" which has been reviewed and accepted by its parent institution and the physicians' chamber. The course has been introduced in 2005 on a half-year base.


RESULTS
The course provides participants with the information on the most important medical information resources and with the basic skills needed for their effective usage. An evaluation questionnaire is used to assess the effectiveness of the course.
Petrak
Jelka
J
University of Zagreb Medical School, Central Medical Library, Zagreb, Croatia.
Markulin
Helena
H
Matiç
Tomislav
T
D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017523:Croatia; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D007999:Library Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000193:education*; D017145:Models, Educational; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires