title: The value and impact of information provided through library services for patient care: developing guidance for best practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous impact tool-kits for UK health libraries required updating to reflect recent evidence and changes in library services. The National Knowledge Service funded development of updated guidance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey tools were developed based on previous impact studies and a systematic review. The resulting draft questionnaire survey was tested at four sites, and the interview schedule was investigated in a fifth area. A literature search in ASSIA, Google Scholar, INTUTE, LISA, LISTA, SCIRUS, Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Knowledge), and the major UK University and National Libraries Catalogue (COPAC), identified ways to improve response rates. Other expert advice contributed to the guidance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The resulting guidance contains evidence-based advice and a planning pathway for conducting an impact survey as a service audit. The survey tools (critical incident questionnaire and interview schedule) are available online. The evidence-based advice recommends personalizing the request, assuring confidentiality, and using follow-up reminders. Questionnaires should be brief, and small incentives, such as a lottery draw should be considered. Bias is minimized if the survey is conducted and analysed by independent researchers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The guidance is a starting point for a pragmatic survey to assess the impact of health library services.
authors.affiliation: Support Unit for Research Evidence, Sir Herbert Duthie Library, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK. weightmanal@cf.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weightman
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Urquhart
authors.forename: Siân
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spink
authors.forename: Rhian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D003625:Data Collection; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D055811:Journal Impact Factor; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007999:Library Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom