The unfortunate death of a healthy woman who was a volunteer participant in a medical investigation at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore has raised questions about the safety of study participants.1 One of the issues that was raised by investigations into this tragedy is the importance of effective literature searching.2
The mission of the Canadian Health Libraries Association is to improve health and health care by promoting excellence in access to information. Since 1976 the association has represented health librarians and library staff and today it has over 400 members.
Librarians have a master's degree in library and information science and are educated and skilled in information retrieval and literature searching. Effective literature searching cannot be done by simply surfing a few hits found through free-text searching; it involves an intellectual process that requires an iterative methodology that includes expert knowledge of database design (including controlled vocabulary), knowledge of research methodology and familiarity with the subject. It is necessary for investigators to understand the importance of collaborating with librarians.
The association recommends that guidelines or standards be developed for literature searching in health care. We will work with other groups to assist in their development and will promote these to our membership.
Signature
Jessie McGowan
President Canadian Health Libraries Association Ottawa, Ont.