Abstract
In April 1981, the School of Library and Information Science, Keio University, introduced two new special courses in medical librarianship. One is the special course in library and information science X (medical literature and information) and the other is Special Course Y (introduction to medical information). Both of them are one-year (two semesters) courses. Course X is taught by a team of medical librarians including an information specialist and a full time teaching staff. Course Y is taught by a medical doctor who is a leading expert in medical electronics in Japan. These courses emphasize the roles of health science library and medical literature in the information flow of health and medical care. Course X covers mainly medical bibliography with stress on environmental background, MEDLINE search, and computerized bibliographic information networks. Course Y introduces medical librarians to the structure and activities of health and medical care in Japan. It also covers computerized information systems now in operation in hospitals and in regional medical care. Fifteen students enrolled in these courses the first year. Seven were librarians working in medical libraries and an information center in Tokyo. There were some points that should be improved in future. One is to provide the students enrolled in these courses the opportunity to gain actual experience in using MEDLINE and other related data bases.
