The effects of an information specialist on patient care and medical education.

A medical librarian joined the pulmonary medicine health care team at Cook County Hospital in order to provide a quick response to information needs regarding patient care, graduate medical education, continuing education, and research. Regular attendance at rounds and conferences enabled the librarian to initiate immediately literature searches in response to both clinical problems and educational requirements. A basic reference supplied to the medical librarian/information specialist by a physician frequently expedited literature research. It was found that patient care and education were enhanced by the rapid access to recent information and that team members used the library more. Close cooperation between the information specialist and physicians significantly facilitated the searches and saved time for health care team members.