title: Evaluating clinical librarian services: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous systematic reviews have indicated limited evidence and poor quality evaluations of clinical librarian (CL) services. Rigorous evaluations should demonstrate the value of CL services, but guidance is needed before this can be achieved.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To undertake a systematic review which examines models of CL services, quality, methods and perspectives of clinical librarian service evaluations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review methodology and synthesis of evidence, undertaken collaboratively by a group of 8 librarians to develop research and critical appraisal skills.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are four clear models of clinical library service provision. Clinical librarians are effective in saving health professionals time, providing relevant, useful information and high quality services. Clinical librarians have a positive effect on clinical decision making by contributing to better informed decisions, diagnosis and choice of drug or therapy. The quality of CL studies is improving, but more work is needed on reducing bias and providing evidence of specific impacts on patient care. The Critical Incident Technique as part of a mixed method approach appears to offer a useful approach to demonstrating impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This systematic review provides practical guidance regarding the evaluation of CL services. It also provides updated evidence regarding the effectiveness and impact of CL services. The approach used was successful in developing research and critical appraisal skills in a group of librarians.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Salford, Salford. a.brettle@salford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brettle
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maden-Jenkins
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McNally
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pratchett
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tancock
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D016245:Librarians; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007999:Library Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011361:Professional Competence; D024382:Professional Role; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management