Get Your Physicians Talking

Are you trying to get your physicians interested in what the library can do with Evidence-Based Medicine? If you have only 5 minutes. There are 2 slides that will get there attention.

Show your physician this. Ask them what they see.

 

Hawking, S. The Universe in a Nutshell. 2001, Modified by Naska, TJ

This is something your doctor will be very familiar with. They will realize that the red line is a normal/stable pH for a patient. However, the yellow line is an area of great concern. Here is where your doctor will feel that there is something overwhelming requiring immediate triage.

What is it really?

 

Hawking, S. The Universe in a Nutshell. 2001, Modified by Naska, TJ

The reality is to invert the exact slide and realize that the graph is really examining the amount of medical literature published within the last century. Quite honestly, the 1970's is when the medical literature basically surpassed the stable period in which one person can monitor the medical literature. The yellow line refers to a period of overwhelming concerns for the physician in that they are unable to keep up with what is being published.
You could refer to:

Alper BS, et al. How much effort is needed to keep up with the literature relevant for primary care? Journal of the Medical Library Association. 2004 October; 92(4):429-37.

However, the facts published aren't easily digestable to many medical professionals. You'll have to find ways in which you can advocate yourself as the beacon with Evidence Based Medicine's literature. When you're given a short window of opportunity to talk to physicians, consider using these two slides early on.

Be engaging. Be an advocate. Know how your audience thinks. Visual analogies can be amazing. I showed this slide to targeted faculty members within the GME and I found that they now really listen to what I have to say. Give it a shot and let me know how it goes for you.