Librarian integration into health care conferences: a case report

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Medical Education
• Rehabilitation Research

Background:

• Continuing education conferences are vital for professional development and evidence-based practice in healthcare.
• Conference presentations often rely on published literature, with slides shared to disseminate findings.
• Social media integration can amplify conference impact and stakeholder engagement.

Observation:

• A health sciences librarian was embedded within the Annual Johns Hopkins Critical Care Rehabilitation Conference.
• The librarian assumed multiple roles: social media ambassador, exhibitor, and presenter.
• This case study examines the librarian's contribution to information dissemination and education in early rehabilitation research.

Findings:

• Librarian involvement enhanced education on bibliographic databases, search strategies, and critical appraisal.
• The librarian facilitated real-time distribution of scholarly literature using web platforms and social media.
• Expertise in information organization and technology platforms proved valuable for conference support.

Implications:

• Librarian integration strengthens the evidence-based foundation of healthcare conferences.
• Enhanced information dissemination through librarians supports clinical practice and research.
• This model demonstrates the value of librarians in maximizing conference reach and educational impact.