Hi,

I'm hoping my colleagues can offer some ideas to help with an exciting new opportunity. Here is what I will be doing for the next year:

Title: Cancer Information Specialist

Abstract:
Becoming the leading public program in cancer research and translating that research into public health and community practice requires expert cancer information services and systems. The Health Sciences Library proposes to recruit and evaluate the impact of a Cancer Information Specialist. This person would have health and information science education and experience to provide the in-depth information services described in this proposal. The Specialist will work with the 300 cancer investigators at UNC and collaborating community based investigators to provide personalized, timely service and consultation. These services have been shown to save clinical and research teams’ time and enhance the quality of research and patient care. The Cancer Information Specialist will work with the Patient Resource Center staff, the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center librarian, and clinical staff to provide evidence based information that patients do not find on their own, promoting clinician-patient communications and highlighting the latest research, clinical trials, and new prevention programs. The Specialist will also help the Health Sciences Library identify electronic cancer-related information sources that are important yet not available to UNC faculty, staff, students, and patients; project costs and potential funding sources; and identify any technical access or licensing issues and possible solutions. Being active within the researchers’ and clinicians’ environments, the Specialist will also be able to consult on the organization, usability, and preservation of information and data collected as a result of targeted Cancer Research Fund projects and programs. Impact of and satisfaction with the Specialist’s services will be measured.