As a former
recipient of the WHSLA Professional Development award, I am happy to
acknowledge that I have completed the coursework for the Level Two Certificate
in the Systematic Review Services
Specialization. This
specialization is sponsored by the Medical Library Association which seeks to
enhance the expertise and skills of health information professionals. I used
the award to fund the specialization courses. My journey, which began around
2019-2020, has been both challenging and rewarding. I have gained valuable
insights into the librarian's role in systematic reviews and am excited to
apply these principles when assisting my patrons.
When I
started way back in the "olden times" of 2020s, it seemed there were
somewhat limited resources available for librarians to enhance their skills in
systematic reviews. The University of Michigan course and the course on
designing search strategies offered by Washington University were among the
primary options. Today, I am thrilled to see the growing number of educational
opportunities in this field. This expansion allows librarians not only to
strengthen their skill sets but also to elevate the quality of their
contributions to research teams.
Through this
coursework, I have sharpened my ability to draft complex and reproducible
search strategies, an essential skill both for systematic reviews and for the
wide range of literature review requests I receive day to day. I have also
become more confident in clearly describing the systematic review process to
researchers and students, helping them understand where a librarian’s expertise
can make a measurable impact on the rigor and transparency of their review.
I am
especially looking forward to using new tools in my daily work—not only for
systematic reviews but also for narrative reviews, as well as for everyday
research consultations. Some of the webinars I have attended during this
training, for example, highlighted emerging AI-based tools designed to support
various phases of the review process. Learning to critically evaluate these
tools and integrate them into my workflows has given me a broader perspective
on how librarians can enhance efficiency while maintaining quality and
standards.
We are
considering how AI tools might be thoughtfully integrated into our research
workflows. Included among the courses on offer for this specialization was a
session led by Gregory Laynor, “Communicating with Researchers about
the Benefits and Risks of AI for Evidence Synthesis.” It was especially
thought-provoking and offered useful perspectives for engaging with patrons and
colleagues on this evolving topic.
Overall,
this certification validates the progress I have made as a professional and
represents my ongoing commitment to supporting evidence-based practice. It
equips me with both foundational and advanced approaches that I will now apply
in my institution when collaborating with patrons. I am grateful for the
support of this award, which has allowed me to continue growing in this
specialized area of medical librarianship.
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