DR BILL SUMMERSKILL

Biography: Prior to his current job as a senior editor at The Lancet, Bill coordinated evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) teaching at the University of Bristol.  He regards the role of healthcare libraries and their staff as central to changing practice and has worked with librarians across the fomer NHS Southwest region to promote EBHC.  His experience in primary care and in teaching has led to a variety of publications on ways to improve the learning and application of evidence for all healthcare professionals.

Title: Do healthcare librarians have a role in the evidence revolution?

Summary: Some powerful groups might argue that in an age of universal access to quality-assured healthcare information, there will be no place for traditional healthcare libraries or librarians. Decisions will depend on an intervention's proven benefit, and providers of all aspects of healthcare would need to demonstrate their value, in order to compete successfully for positions and resources. The roles of healthcare librarians in such an environment could depend upon what action is taken now to address these issues.