Combatting Information Fatigue: Health Information Resources for Veterans and Their Families LYDIA N COLLINS CONSUMER HEALTH OUTREACH COORDINATOR NATIONAL NETWORK OF LIBRARIES OF MEDICINE, MIDDLE ATLANTIC REGION

Objectives: Introduction to NN/LM and NLM Understand the unique information needs of veterans and their families Utilize resources presented to locate reliable, authoritative health information specific to veterans Acquire skills and knowledge to effectively identify and assess resources not covered in the class

National Network of Libraries of Medicine and the National Library of Medicine

Division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) World’s largest biomedical library Produces free, authoritative electronic health information resources 130+ health information databases (PubMed & MedlinePlus) Not a commercial vendor Government tax dollars at work! U.S. National Library of Medicine

National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) NN/LM, formerly Regional Medical Library Program Established in the Medical Library Assistance Act (1965) Mission ◦Provide health professionals and the general public with equal access to biomedical information Coordinated by the National Library of Medicine 8 Regional Offices ◦Support Network members to achieve NN/LM mission ◦5-year contracts

Who Can Become Network Members?

Benefits of NN/LM Membership

Veterans & Their Information Needs

U.S. Veterans 92& of veterans 25 and older have at least a high school diploma 26% of veterans 25 and older have at least a bachelor’s degree

PTSD – Military Pathways

TAPS

Veteran Internet Use and Engagement With Health Information Online Houston, Thomas K,M.D., M.P.H., Volkman, J. E., PhD., Feng, Hua,M.D., M.S., Nazi, Kim M,PhD., F.A.C.H.E., Shimada, S. L., PhD., & Fox, S., B.A. (2013). Veteran internet use and engagement with health information online. Military Medicine, 178(4),

Veteran Families Information Needs "Our nation owes each day of security and freedom that we enjoy to the members of our Armed Forces and their families. Behind our brave service men and women, there are family members and loved ones who share in their sacrifice and provide unending support." - President Obama Each year the President signs a proclamation declaring November Military Family Month. This annual proclamation marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of the Military Family in which the Department of Defense and the nation will honor the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of the nation's servicemembers.

Military Families Military Family Appreciation Month was established in 1993 by the Armed Services YMCA, with the U.S. Government recognizing the occasion every year since. Each November, ASYMCA celebrates Military Family Month to demonstrate the nation’s support and commitment the families of military personnel.

Military Lifestyle

MedlinePlus & NLM Resources

Informational Needs Polytrauma Chronic Disease Traumatic Brain Injury Spinal Cord Injury Limb Loss Eye injuries PTSD and other mental health issues Health care benefits, insurance, financial issues

MedlinePlus Homepage

MedlinePlus In a Nutshell Over 900 health topics in English and Spanish Drug and herbal supplement information Videos and animations Surgery videos Health Check tools Easy-to-read Materials Multiple Languages Medical Dictionary & Encyclopedia Health News

MedlinePlus 1

MedlinePlus 2

MedlinePlus: TBI

MedlinePlus 3

MedlinePlus 4

MedlinePlus: Additional Topics Suicide Sexual Assault Nutrition Health & Wellness Family Issues Bereavement Stress Domestic Violence Personal Health Records Disaster & Emergency Preparedness Head Injuries Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Wounds and Injuries Exercise and Physical Fitness Alcohol Weight Control Sexual Health Talking With Your Doctor Homeless Health Concerns and more

American Psychiatric Association

NIHSeniorHealth

U.S. Dept Vet Affairs (PTSD)

Evaluating Health Resources Evaluating what’s out there on the Internet MedlinePlus: Evaluating Health InformationEvaluating Health Information MedlinePlus: Guide to Healthy Web SurfingGuide to Healthy Web Surfing Key Points: Who runs/pays for the site? What is the purpose? Source of info? Reviewed? Current? How are links to other sites chosen? User info collected? Able to contact? Accurate?

NIHSeniorHealth 2

PTSD Symptoms (NIH SeniorHealth)

NIHSeniorHealth Toolkit

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Resources

US Dept. of VA

VA: PTSD

VA: Research

Veterans Crisis Line

VA Research Topics and more…

Libraries and Veteran Health Information Services

Considerations Veterans are Unique group with unique life events and experiences Skills and coping mechanisms developed during service may be counterproductive or misunderstood in civilian life Readjustment is a major challenge Families, friends, caregivers may need assistance coping with changes Extensive information needs relating to all of the above

Support Veterans by… Increase staff knowledge of services/resources for Veterans Provide Veteran specific information sessions within your organization Support or Sponsor a Veteran organization Partner with other local agencies Offer space for Military/Veterans to meet

What libraries have  Computers  WiFi  Electrical Outlets  Conference rooms/meeting spaces  Customer-service mentality  Training Workshops/Resume Building  Knowledge of the community  Credibility  Normalcy  Expertise in finding information  Willingness to partner  “Essential community services” (Stafford Act)

And a built-in information- seeking audience! Photos: Flickr users Clearwater Public Library, Hurstville City Library, Museum & GalleryClearwater Public LibraryHurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery Facebook page Whitehall Public LibraryWhitehall Public Library

Springdale Free Public Library

Veterans Business Outreach Center The Veterans Business Outreach Center has been designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as the Fifth Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in the nation. The VBOC is in joint partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Massey Center for Business Innovation and Development; which is a part of the School of Business at Robert Morris University. The VBOC offers one-on-one business counseling, mentoring, workshops, discussion groups, networking opportunities, and entrepreneurial courses to all veterans, current military personnel and spouses, pre/post deployed and National Guard and Reservists who are interested. In addition, all counseling is free of charge. Veterans Business Outreach Center

Whitehall Public Library

Libraries Provide Help Develop collections that… o provide support for returning soldiers and their families o provide information on specific conditions and information about claiming benefits o educate and inform the public Create pathfinder or LibGuide for online information resources o local, state, federal resources Contact your local public library and see what services you can refer veterans to as well as inform them of services your agency provides.

UD Veterans Guide

Ways to partner Health fairs/screenings Programming-lectures/fitness Storytimes/Summer Reading Health Information referrals Information distribution Affordable Care Act Disaster Preparedness/Recovery Employment Fairs and more Photo: Flickr user Monterey Public LibraryMonterey Public Library

Want to Partner? National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region  Funding: PA Forward (PA Library Association):

Information on Collaborating with Libraries to Serve Veterans and Families Libraries are uniquely positioned to function as “portals” to information and services that benefit veterans and their families. So consider partnering with your local library whether it’s public or academic!!

Conclusions Veterans are a unique segment of American population. Government agencies, educational institutions, and libraries can all contribute to veterans’ success transitioning to civilian life and academic life. Libraries are uniquely positioned to function as “portals” to information and services that benefit veterans and their families. So consider partnering with your local library whether it’s public or academic!!

Thank You Lydia Collins, Consumer Health Coordinator National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. HHS-N C with the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System.