Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Background and Aim: The number of medical institutions is growing along with the development of the healthcare sector in the Pakistan. Similarly, the library and information science (LIS) professionals are rendering their valuable services in the teaching/learning process, research support and patient care in these institutions/organizations. The purpose of this study is to assess the publications’ output in the area of medical librarianship in Pakistan.
Research Methodology: The documents written by Pakistani LIS authors on medical librarianship were extracted from various print and online sources. The data covered the period from 1960 to 2020, because the first document on medical librarianship was published 1960. Unpublished theses were not included and the data of retrieved documents has been added as an appendix of this paper. The periodic growth, authorship pattern, productive authors and preferred sources of publications were evaluated in the data analysis.
Results: A total of 165 documents contributed by 356 authors (including multiple counts) with an average of 2.15 authors per document were found. The ratio of the single-author pattern was high in the documents published before 2000 but after that, 86% of the documents was the result of research collaboration. Midrar Ullah emerged as the most productive author with 22 documents, followed by Rubina Bhatti and Salman Bin Naeem. All the retrieved documents were published in 57 sources, and the highest number of documents were published in the Pakistan Library and Information Science Journal followed by Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).
Significance of the Study: This is study significant and it will enhance the new information in the area of medical librarianship in the Pakistani context and is equally useful to LIS professionals, serving in other libraries. The appendix of the study will be served as reference tool and the findings will support the authorities of medical universities, medical librarians/researchers and the faculty of LIS departments to understand the status of medical librarianship in Pakistan.
Conclusion: Medical libraries are responsible to develop the systems and services to meet the knowledge-based information required by the users and parent organization. These libraries play a crucial role in the practice of health care delivery, education and research. The continues research in medical librarianship support to improving the library organisms and facilities. Pakistani LIS authors contributed ample research, especially during the last two decades. The shift from single-author to collaborative research and from opinion-based paper to empirical research was explicit. There is a need to activate the medical library association, establish national library of medicine and conduct more research on diverse aspects of medical librarianship.