Exploring the roles, effectiveness and impact of health information professionals within evidence based practice

This is the thesis (critical appraisal) component of a PhD by Published Works. The overall submission was a portfolio of ten published papers supported by a critical appraisal focusing on two key areas: an exploration of the roles that Health Information Professionals (HIPs) can play within evidence based practice (EBP) and an exploration of the effectiveness and impact of the traditional supportive role played by HIPs within EBP. The published papers are listed and referenced within this document but not contained within it. The majority are available elsewhere within the University of Salford Institutional Repository. Drawing on a model developed from the library literature, the thesis highlights a wide range of supportive and active roles that HIPs can potentially play within EBP. This model is informed and illuminated by the studies within the portfolio that demonstrate how the author has fulfilled a wide range of these roles in practice, and identified a new role within systematic reviews in health and social care. This demonstrates that HIPs can transfer their skills outside their traditional library and information practice domain, thus extending their role and offering a range of professional opportunities. Using a varied range of research methodologies, the thesis also explores the effectiveness and impact of the contribution made by HIPs when using traditional skills to support EBP. Two models are used to illustrate the outcomes to which HIPs contribute. These include improving search skills and providing evidence which can, over the longer term, contribute to policy making and patient care. At present the weight of the evidence presented to support these links is weak. Methodological issues and future research that needs to be addressed to improve the strength of the evidence base are therefore highlighted and discussed