Biomedical librarians in a patient care setting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Abstract

The biomedical librarian has been placed in a patient care setting working in the specific environment of a six-year medical school guided by the docent team concept (docent is defined as a clinician-scholar). Within this framework the specifically qualified Clinical Medical Librarians function within the docent unit. Three dissemination techniques or systems-LATCH, Current References, and Latest Topics-are discussed. Note is made of the Clinical Medical Librarian's role in teaching, demand search-document delivery in answer to anticipated and actual requests, and the design of the Patient Care Information System. Also presented are the unique aspects of a hospitable environment essential to the success of this project.