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Consumer Health Parallel Paper Session (Friday 11.30-13.00) Print E-mail

The right book at the right time


Presenter: Alastair Smeaton

Authors: Miriam Leonard, Alastair Smeaton, Dublin City Libraries, Ireland.

In 2006, an approach to Dublin City libraries by the Health Service Executive’s North Inner City Partnership in Primary Care provided an opportunity to develop a pilot bibliotherapy scheme based on the award winning Cardiff Scheme, pioneered in 2003 by Dr. Neil Frude. The Cardiff scheme offered a model in which medical professionals prescribe selected self-help books to patients suffering from mild or moderate mental health problems, as a complementary treatment to standard medication. The books are loaned to patients, on production of a completed prescription form issued by a participating health professional.  Dublin City Libraries agreed to partner the N.I.C.P. in a pilot scheme based in the seven libraries (including Mountjoy Prison library) most closely corresponding to the N.I.C.P. area.

Among the first steps to be undertaken was the commissioning of a pack of professionally designed material, aimed at informing medical personnel, potential patients and members of the general public about the scheme. The book stock, consisting of 38 recommended titles covering areas such as depression, anxiety, stress, self esteem, anger, eating disorder and obsessive behaviour was ordered ‘on the double’ for all participating branches, so that copies could be held both on the open shelves and at the desk, thus giving ordinary borrowers access to the material without the need for a prescription.  

In consultation with Dublin City Libraries, the N.I.C.P. arranged to deliver a training programme aimed at equipping library staff to give better service to people with mental health difficulties. By the end of 2008, all staff in Dublin City libraries had attended the course. By the end of June 2008 over 2,700 books had been borrowed through the scheme, a highly encouraging result from the library point of view. The three most borrowed titles have been: Overcoming Anxiety, a self-help guide by Helen Kennerley: Feeling Good Handbook by Davis D. Burns and Depression the commonsense approach by Tony Bates.

In the most recent development, the H.S.E. has announced its intention to encourage the development of bibliotherapy in libraries on a nationwide basis, using the staff training model developed for Dublin. The success of the Dublin scheme – and those that have been set up in its wake augurs well for the future of this most worthwhile aspect of library service – one that has been largely ignored in Ireland until now.


Working on public health information in public libraries

Presenter: Nada Trzan-Herman

Authors: Nada Trzan-Herman, Mirjana Becele, Ministry of Health, Zaloška 29, Ljubljana, Slovenia

People search for health information in various places – not only with physicians and pharmacists - but also in public libraries. These questions can be very delicate and special care is needed. We started a project in a public library where people could address their questions about health problems to a pharmaceutical/medical information specialist. In addition we instructed them about patients’ rights which are listed in Slovenian legislation. Questions and answers, and used information sources are evidenced. This project serves as a base for further instruction to other public libraries on how to help people by answering questions dealing with health problems.

Bibliotherapy in practice: implementation and analysis


Author & Presenter: Liz Brewster, Information Studies, University of Sheffield, UK

Partnerships between public libraries and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), typically ‘Books on Prescription’ schemes, have blossomed in recent years. This paper explores the operation of such schemes from the public librarians’ perspective. The main theme emerging was the necessity for strong partnerships between medical and information professionals. Training, equity of service and effective evaluation to ensure the success of the projects were also emphasised.

The methodology was qualitative, comprising of an analysis of interview transcripts. Twelve interviews were conducted with public librarians involved with bibliotherapeutic projects in seven local authorities. An in-depth literature review also contributed to the research.

The form of bibliotherapy used in schemes such as ‘Books on Prescription’ requires the recommendation of self-help literature based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to people with mild to moderate depression, and is supported by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).  A specific list of CBT-based literature enables the public library and PCT to achieve a variety of aims, including encouraging community cohesion, social inclusion, and effective intervention in mental health issues.

A number of public librarians felt that their contribution to the partnership was undervalued by the medical professionals. Library staff appreciated the contribution of medical expertise, which gave them confidence in their product and they felt encouraged atypical users of libraries. The PCTs involved also benefitted, as they were able to utilise library resources with their patients. Bibliotherapeutic texts are a low intensity form of treatment, utilised within the ‘stepped-care model’ prescribed for depression. In this NICE- recommended model, treatment for people with depression should commence at the least intrusive level, stepping up in intensity if and when necessary.

The wider interdisciplinary debates regarding partnerships between health and information professionals are also considered, focussing on the opportunity they provide to support people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Opportunities for further research are highlighted; into the effectiveness and value of bibliotherapy, and the efficient delivery of services by information and health providers. While initial difficulties with funding and implementing the schemes were reported, most public librarians consulted felt the partnerships were successful and benefitted the community.  

The role of public libraries and librarians in providing consumer health information (CHI) to the public

Presenters: Martin Coates, Peter Bath

Authors: Martin Coates, Peter Bath,  Information Studies, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

Background:  High-quality health information is important in helping patients cope with illness and disease and for helping the general public maintain health and well-being. Health information may also be useful for reducing health inequalities at a local level. Public libraries in Sheffield, England have recently become more involved in providing consumer health information (CHI) to local communities. However, no research has evaluated this function of public libraries. The aim of the study was to explore the perceived role of public libraries and librarians in disseminating health information to the public.

Methods:  A qualitative approach was used in order to explore the issues. Librarians from public libraries based in neighbourhoods with differing levels of deprivation in Sheffield, as measured by the number of households receiving income support, were contacted and invited to participate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in July 2008. Interviews were audio-recorded or notes were made during the interviews, depending on the participant’s preference. Interview tapes were transcribed and notes written up before being analysed thematically. Sub-categories, categories, themes and concepts were developed during the analyses. The study was approved in accordance with the University of Sheffield Research Ethics Policy.

Results: Sixteen librarians, including both managerial and assistant members of library staff, were interviewed in total. A key theme emerging from the analyses was that of the librarian’s role in providing health information. The librarians felt that the role of the public library was consistent with the provision of health information, that librarians should ‘signpost’ information, but should never cross the ‘professional boundary’ into giving medical advice. There were some differences in views on whether librarians required any extra skills or training in providing health information to the public, although there was concern that they lacked the professional skills to manage the  ‘Patient Choice’ agenda, particularly in advising patients on using the Choose and Book system. The Books on Prescription scheme appeared more congruent with how librarians perceived their role in the community.

Conclusion: While public libraries could play an important role in providing CHI in local communities, consideration must be given as to the precise role of librarians in relation to their own knowledge and skills, and the public’s expectations of the help and advice that can be provided by libraries.