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.
