New trends for professional collaboration and impact on problem-solving among medical librarians and health science educators in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper identified new trends for professional collaboration and impact on problem-solving among medical librarians and health science educators in Nigeria. The study generated peer support and collaboration among medical librarians and health science educators across Nigeria at a clinical orientation seminar held at the University of Osun (former LAUTECH College of Health). The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The study population consisted of 175 participants, of which 105 were selected as the sample size. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Findings showed that the participants strongly agreed that professional collaboration in health science complements roles and cooperatively works together, sharing responsibility for problem-solving and making decisions to formulate and carry out plans for medical care. Also, the findings revealed the three components of collaboration for effective medical librarian service delivery (work-related problems): sharing solutions to teaching-related problems; providing personal and emotional support, and; creatively solving problems. It was recommended that an ambitious agenda or universal problem-solving goals could be achieved through effective professional collaboration.