Effective Strategies for Improving the Profession of Medical Librarianship and Information from the Perspective of Experts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Shahnaz Khademizadeh 1
Fatemeh Rafieinasab 2
1 Associate Professor, Knowledge and Information Science, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2 PhD Student, Knowledge and Information Science, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22122/him.v18i1.4407
Abstract
Introduction: The field of librarianship and information science with interdisciplinary nature trains specialized human resources required by libraries, academics, hospitals, and research information centers. This study endeavors to investigate the problems and strategies affecting the promotion of the job status in this field.
Methods: This qualitative case study reviewed the viewpoints of specialists. Interviewees were selected by purposeful sampling method and their views were collected using semi-structured interviews; after the initial coding, their classification was done.
Results: By analyzing the interviews, the problems of the medical librarianship job status were identified according to the job classification booklet in the employment category. Regarding the problems of public jobs, changing the job title of librarian to an expert in knowledge and information science and being limited to several professions, and in the specialized jobs section, occupational field of health information technology expert, as well as the employment problems of medical librarians were mentioned and some strategies were proposed from the viewpoint of professors and experts in this field.
Conclusion: The field of medical librarianship, after several decades of its activity in Iran, needs strategies to improve job position. In effect, with the specialization of librarians' activities, the creation of independent job disciplines can help to improve the job status of the discipline. It is expected that the results of the present study can help managers and those in charge in planning and decision-making.

Keywords

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Health Information Management
Volume 18, Issue 6 - Serial Number 82
March and April 2022
Pages 279-285