UAB Synopsis, Vol. 25, No. 11, May 22, 2006
With much anticipation, the planning phase for the new Patient Resource Library at The Kirklin Clinic® (TKC) is complete. The 1000-square-foot interdisciplinary facility will serve patients seeking information on numerous conditions and illnesses. With computers connected to the Internet for research, access to more than 500 printed medical booklets, books and tapes to check out, and a librarian on staff to assist visitors, the new facility will provide easy access to health information.
The library also will feature an adjoining room for use by staff and patients for private consultations regarding clinical trials, for example, and for viewing health education videos.
“When patients and their families know medical information is available and accessible, they often welcome the opportunity to search for answers to their many questions,” says Ty Howell, MLS, librarian for the current Cancer Resource Library, which opened in October 2003 to meet information needs of cancer patients and their families.
Interest in Health Information
“From April to June 2005, we set up a library promotion table on TKC 2nd floor near the parking deck crosswalk,” says Howell. ”The table was staffed 1 day a week for 3 hours, and we found interest in health information to be quite high.”
During the 3-month period, more than 400 people came by with questions. In comparison, only 412 people visited the current library in an 18-month period. The library’s current location — across from TKC on the 21st Street side beneath the clinic’s parking deck — is not an area frequented by patients. Those who enter and leave the clinic from the 2nd floor parking deck crosswalk rarely are aware of the library’s existence.
Space Planning
“We presented our findings to Chief of Staff Dr. Nancy Dunlap to explore the idea of an interdisciplinary patient library at TKC, including, but not limited to cancer information. She immediately said the library needed to be in TKC and devised a plan to find space for it,” says Lydia Cheney, MEd, CHES, program manager for cancer education at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Previous studies on patient education indicate patients who are more knowledgeable about their diseases do better. And even if their knowledge doesn’t change the outcomes, they are better able to cope because they know what to expect,” Cheney says.
With the help of TKC Chief of Staff Nancy Dunlap, MD, PhD, UAB Health System CEO David Hoidal, and Associate Director of UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Edward Partridge, MD, funds were allocated to renovate an area on the 2nd floor, currently a part of TKC’s patient services department.
Easy Access
“The library’s location near the clinic’s second-floor parking deck crosswalk is an area heavily used by patients, and will provide easy access to its services,” says Dr. Dunlap.
According to Howell, physicians’ and staff members’ suggestions are sought to determine what materials should be included in the library. “Unlike the current library, which is open 20 hours a week, the new library will be available 40 hours a week,” Howell says. “We also will have a link to Lister Hill Library to give patrons access to journals and materials that may not be available in our library.”
“The new interdisciplinary library will greatly enhance patient education resources for all TKC patients,” Dr. Dunlap says.