- Online patient education: results of a content analysis of disempowering language in patient education materials about type 1 diabetes. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Jul 10; :1-18. [Online ahead of print]MR
- Global health organizations urge the use of empowering language in patient education for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Twenty-nine online patient education materials (PEMs) were assessed in the first phase of a content analysis examining how disempowering terminology is used in both frequency and context. All of the PEMs used disempowering terms, were primarily from the U.S. (70%), and authored by healt…
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- Bridging the gap between student research needs and library services for a health sciences writing course. [Editorial]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Apr-Jun; 45(2):152-157.MR
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- National Agricultural Library (NAL) SEARCH. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Jun 03; :1-14. [Online ahead of print]MR
- SEARCH is the USDA National Agricultural Library (NAL)'s main discovery platform that provides integrated access to the NAL Digital Collections, Special Collections, PubAg and AGRICOLA. NAL SEARCH is a valuable tool for health science librarians, students, and professionals seeking veterinary science, nutrition, or animal experiment alternatives. This article aims to give users a comprehensive ov…
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- Problem-based learning (PBL) library resources and support: survey insights from first-year dental students. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 May 28; :1-17. [Online ahead of print]MR
- Problem-based learning (PBL) is part of an integrated dental school curriculum using patient cases to learn about biomedical sciences. In PBL, students must find and evaluate information sources to support their patient cases. The library supports PBL students through course-related LibGuides, recommended textbooks, and librarian assistance. A feedback survey was conducted with first-year dental …
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- Curriculum collection alignment in pharmacy education: insights from Namibia for global practice. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Apr-Jun; 45(2):125-143.MR
- This study evaluated the alignment of the University of Namibia Library collection with the updated Bachelor of Pharmacy curriculum to assess its adequacy and responsiveness to competency-based education. Through curriculum mapping and a policy-based 1:20 adequacy ratio, the review identified a strong alignment across anatomy, pharmacology, microbiology, and pharmaceutical practice. While two cor…
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- AI in practice: trends in hospital and clinic libraries. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Apr-Jun; 45(2):158-170.MR
- The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced new possibilities for hospital and clinic libraries. A research project surveyed hospital and clinic librarians regarding AI use in their libraries. AI tools are being used for cataloging, retrieving information, conducting systematic reviews, and answering research questions. Limitations such as hallucinations affect the value of AI for lib…
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- Onboarding experiences of early career health sciences librarians. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Apr-Jun; 45(2):107-124.MR
- As health sciences libraries look to the future, one area of focus should be onboarding new hires. This project investigates the onboarding experiences of newly hired health sciences librarians. This study used a mixed method design to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the attitudes and perceptions of new health sciences librarians toward their most recent onboarding experiences. A survey …
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- Expanding instructional opportunities: introducing middle schools students to academic health sciences libraries. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Apr-Jun; 45(2):171-180.MR
- Research and Education Librarians at Rowland Medical Library at the University of Mississippi Medical Center designed an engaging 90-minute instruction session for middle school students participating in a summer enrichment program. Librarians adapted instruction strategies to effectively reach and connect with a younger, nontraditional audience. Through active learning activities, group discussi…
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- Academic medical librarians and video consultations: our new normal. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Jan-Mar; 45(1):78-93.MR
- Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in video research consultations has rapidly expanded. This study aimed to characterize the current state of academic health sciences librarians' practices and perspectives around this mode of consultation. We distributed a survey, which received 124 eligible responses. Our analysis found that video consultations were now generally in higher deman…
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- NatMed Pro: An Evaluation of the New and Improved Natural Medicines Database. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Apr-Jun; 45(2):144-151.MR
- In July 2025, Therapeutic Research Center's Healthcare launched a newly designed NatMed Pro database that offers a contemporary and streamlined webpage layout and more expedient load times. The new landing page is visually appealing due to its refreshed tab bar and graphics. This column will present a sample search in the improved search interface as well as explore some of the new and redesigned…
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- Evidence-based citation analysis of a health sciences journal collection. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026; 45(1):55-77.MR
- This study demonstrates how health sciences librarians can use citation analysis, COUNTER statistics, and interlibrary loan data to quantitatively evaluate journal collections across multiple health sciences programs. Unlike previous studies focusing on single professions, this research analyzed an entire health sciences college collectively. Results showed 90.5-100% of journals used by faculty f…
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- PsycInfo platforms: a tale of two interfaces (Ovid vs. EBSCO). [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Jan-Mar; 45(1):97-104.MR
- PsycInfo is a foundational database for evidence-based behavioral health literature, which makes it an essential tool for health sciences librarians. This column provides a comprehensive comparison of PsycInfo on Ovid and EBSCO platforms. It offers a foundational overview for new librarians, guiding them through essential functionalities and navigation. The article also helps librarians evaluate …
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- Dual perspectives: a narrative case study on a medical student's utilization of library resources as a medical library assistant. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Jan-Mar; 45(1):27-38.MR
- Examining the strategic selection and utilization of library resources by medical students could enhance library services for this demographic. A narrative case study focused on a medical student who served as a medical library assistant for three years. Analyses were directed by particular questions. Discussions address the effectiveness of library resources in fulfilling medical students' infor…
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- Data Dilemma: Evolving Roles and Skills for Medical Librarians. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Jan-Mar; 45(1):39-54.MR
- Recent results show that Health Sciences and Medical Librarians have increasingly been asked to support their institutions since the NIH data sharing guidance in the last decade. This study aims to assess health sciences librarians' data skills based on the conceptual framework developed by Federer and how hteya re able to solve any gaps in knowledge or training. In this cross-sectional survey, w…
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- AI-assisted search strategy construction with step-by-step instructions to execute and manage searches across major databases. [Journal Article]Med Ref Serv Q. 2026 Jan-Mar; 45(1):1-26.MR
- This manuscript introduces a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted prompt template designed to help users translate their self-compiled keyword lists into database-ready, syntactically correct search strategies. The template is supported by detailed, step-by-step guidance for executing and managing searches across major databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and t…
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