An evidence-based approach to engaging healthcare users in a journal review project

Abstract

Due to significant cutbacks in the Irish health service, the Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital (AMNCH) Library's budget was reduced by 25% in 2011, necessitating the cancellation of journals. This paper describes a journal review project that adopted an evidence-based approach to evaluate journals for retention or cancellation. A second project aim was to communicate to users that a major reduction to the Library budget was expected and to prepare them for journal cancellations. A decision-making process was designed which used journal metrics and user evaluations. 500 key users were surveyed to rate journals relevant, of whom 36% responded. The process informed the decision making for 80% of titles. Of a potential 286 journals, 73 (25%) were identified for cancellation. It also provided a basis on which to evaluate journals similar in price, impact and coverage which otherwise would have been difficult to differentiate. © Anne Murphy.