How can medical libraries become more relevant in the age of digital information?

Abstract

Medical libraries are undergoing some of the same changes in the digital age as other libraries, but they also contend with unique issues engendered by the health care system, like: the deluge of information generated by medical research; changes in patient care due to health maintenance organizations, and the ever-changing technological landscape that continues to widen the knowledge gap between patients with high and low health literacy. These issues require unique solutions so medical libraries can maintain their significant presence in the medical industry (if not re-positioning into a more prominent place), namely by: taking information to the user via social networks and other methods; training practitioners throughout their careers; and reaching patients at all levels of health literacy by creating knowledge tools and partnering with other organizations.