Intersections in Healing: Academic Libraries and the Health Humanities

The health humanities offer healthcare professionals and health science librarians a unique opportunity to develop empathy, compassion, and appreciation for the various social and cultural contexts of health, care, and illness. This book provides librarians with an opportunity to learn about and develop approaches to the health humanities, including archives and special collections, collection development, privacy, biases, empathy, skills development through writing and programming engagement, and consideration of special populations. It also shares valuable pedagogical and instructional approaches and outreach strategies for bringing librarians into conversation with campus departments, curricular pathways, instructors goals, and learners needs, allowing readers to develop the confidence and tools they need to bring the health humanities to their institutions and help the perspectives and skillsets of the health humanities flourish among the next generation of health care professionals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Healthcare professionals and health science librarians require a comprehensive understanding of research practices, clinical knowledge, empathy, compassion, appreciation for diverse social and cultural contexts, and the integration of the arts, humanities, and humanistic social sciences to become transformational individuals and leaders in their field. While librarians are not typically healthcare professionals themselves, they play a crucial role in the development of healthcare professionals by providing education and training in educational and/or healthcare settings. This book offers librarians an opportunity to learn about and develop approaches to the health humanities, benefiting themselves, their constituents, and stakeholders, as well as impacting the future of global healthcare professionals.

The book covers a wide range of topics, including archives and special collections, collection development, privacy, biases, empathy, skills development through writing and programming engagement, and consideration of special populations. It goes beyond essential health humanities grounding and topical perspectives, providing valuable pedagogical and instructional approaches and outreach strategies for bringing librarians into conversation with campus departments, curricular pathways, instructors' goals, and learners' needs. These modifiable and adaptable techniques will enable readers to develop the confidence and tools they need to bring the health humanities to their institutions.

One of the key aspects of the health humanities is the ability to connect with individuals and communities on a personal level. Librarians can use their expertise in information literacy, research methods, and cultural competency to engage with patients, caregivers, and community members, providing them with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health. This can include providing access to medical literature, conducting research, and offering support and guidance.

The health humanities also play a role in promoting health equity and social justice. Librarians can work to address disparities in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by providing access to resources that address the needs of marginalized populations. This can include providing access to health information in languages other than English, providing culturally sensitive care, and advocating for policies that promote health equity.

In addition to their work in healthcare settings, librarians can also play a role in promoting the health humanities in the broader community. This can include organizing events, workshops, and exhibitions that showcase the contributions of the arts, humanities, and humanistic social sciences to health and well-being. Librarians can also work with community organizations to develop programs that address health-related issues and promote healthy behaviors.

However, there are also challenges associated with the health humanities. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of funding and resources. Many healthcare institutions and libraries do not have the resources to support the health humanities, which can limit the ability of librarians to provide the services and resources that they need. This can be particularly challenging in rural and underserved areas, where access to healthcare and information is limited.

To address these challenges, librarians can work to develop partnerships with other organizations and institutions. This can include partnering with healthcare providers, community organizations, and universities to develop programs and services that address health-related issues. Librarians can also apply for grants and other forms of funding to support their work.

Another challenge associated with the health humanities is the need to address the ethical implications of the work. Librarians must ensure that they are using the information and resources they provide in a responsible and ethical manner. This can include ensuring that the information is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible to all individuals. Librarians must also be aware of the potential for bias and discrimination in the information they provide and take steps to address these issues.

In conclusion, healthcare professionals and health science librarians need to know more than research practices and clinical knowledge to become transformational individuals and leaders in their field. Empathy and compassion, appreciation for the various social and cultural contexts of health, care, and illness, and utilizing the contributions the arts, humanities, and humanistic social sciences can add depth and dimension to their work. While librarians are not usually the healthcare professionals themselves, they play a crucial role in the development of healthcare professionals through their work in educational and/or healthcare settings, helping train others in the goals of the curriculum and in lifelong learning-related habits of mind. This book offers librarians an opportunity to learn about and develop approaches to the health humanities, benefiting themselves, their constituents, and stakeholders, as well as impacting the future of global healthcare professionals. By working to address the challenges associated with the health humanities, librarians can help to create a more equitable and just healthcare system for all individuals.

Weight: 395g
Dimension: 230 x 152 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538171325