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Ajayi A, Foster PL, Ha C, Zych M, Landry T. Understanding equity and diversity needs among health library professionals in Canada: a survey. JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN HEALTH LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION 2024; 45:44-51. [PMID: 38737781 PMCID: PMC11081120 DOI: 10.29173/jchla29700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: The Canadian Health Libraries’ Association (CHLA/ABSC) Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force conducted an EDI survey in 2023. In addition to gathering information about the demography, education, and employment of health information professionals working in Canadian institutions, the goal of the survey was to assess the support, education and leadership needs of the association in matters relating to diversity and inclusion.
Methods: A survey was created based on EDI surveys conducted previously by similar associations, with additional questions relevant to health information professionals in Canada and CHLA/ABSC’s role in matters of EDI. The survey, consisting of 31 questions and employing a variety of formats, was translated into French and administered via SurveyMonkey. It was distributed through email and other channels over the course of two weeks in January 2023.
Results: One hundred and sixty-six health information professionals completed the 2023 survey. Most (83%) were CHLA/ABSC members and sixty-three percent were members of CHLA/ABSC chapters. Most were employed in full-time permanent positions (91%) as librarians (67%) or in administration/management positions (16%). Nearly half worked in post-secondary institutions (42%) and half worked in hospital libraries (43%), and most have access to professional development funds from their employers (84%). Most of the respondents do not belong to a visible minority group (86%), do not consider themselves to be of Indigenous ancestry (96%), do not consider themselves to have a disability (72%), and do not identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (79%). Fifty-nine percent were aged between 35 and 54 years old and sixty-eight percent had less than fifteen years of experience. Slightly over half (54%) reported a salary between $65,000 and $99,999. Respondents indicated that they felt welcome and included (78%) and treated with respect (84%) at CHLA/ABSC events, that there were opportunities within CHLA/ABSC for them to participate at levels they felt comfortable with (82%) and that they felt comfortable sharing their personal perspectives and experiences within CHLA/ABSC (65%).
Conclusion: The survey illustrates that CHLA/ABSC consists of a very homogeneous group of professionals. While the majority of members felt welcomed, respected, and were given opportunities to participate in association work and activities, there is definitely room for improvement. Generally, respondents felt that CHLA/ABSC should continue to listen and improve its EDI work by engaging and collaborating with members to deliver current and relevant networking and CE opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abiola Ajayi
- Lead Librarian, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
| | | | - Chau Ha
- Liaison and Instruction Librarian, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Library, Saskatoon Campus, Saskatoon, SK
| | - Maria Zych
- Liaison and Instruction Librarian, Dentistry Library, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Tara Landry
- Head of Reference and Collection Development, Bibliothèque de la santé, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC
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Kandasamy S, Chabrotra R, Khan Z, Rana D, Suddle N, Desai D, Khan F, Nocos R, Lear SA, Anand SS. Engaging Participants Through Hybrid Community-Centered Approaches: Lessons Learned During the COVID CommUNITY Public Health Research Program. Health Promot Pract 2024:15248399231221161. [PMID: 38180006 DOI: 10.1177/15248399231221161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Community-centered research studies can improve trust, cultural appropriateness, and accurate findings through meaningful, in-depth engagement with participants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers shifted to implement pandemic-specific guidelines on top of already existing safety practices; these adjustments gave insight into bettering the structure of forthcoming research studies. At the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI)/McMaster University, the COVID CommUNITY study staff took field notes from their experience at the Ontario (ON) and British Columbia (BC) sites navigating an observational prospective cohort study during the pandemic. These field notes are outlined below to provide insight into culturally responsive, trust-centered, and communication-focused strategies used to improve hybrid research. A significant challenge the team overcame was obtaining blood sample collections by executing socially distanced sample collections outside of participants' homes, coined "Porch Pickups." Data collection was made more accessible through phone surveys and frequent virtual contact. To enhance recruitment strategies for sub-communities of the South Asian population, staff focused on cultural interests and "gift-exchange" incentives. Cultural awareness was prioritized through correct name pronunciation, conducting data collection in participant preferred languages, and using flexible approaches to data collection. These strategies were developed through weekly team meetings where improvement strategies were discussed, and concerns were addressed in real-time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujane Kandasamy
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Riddhi Chabrotra
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research, Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zainab Khan
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dania Rana
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Noor Suddle
- Department of Health Research, Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dipika Desai
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Farah Khan
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rochelle Nocos
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Scott A Lear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sonia S Anand
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research, Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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