Open Educational Resources Within Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: Assessing the Needs and Developing a Repository Framework

Kyle Robinson, California Health Sciences University
Joanne Muellenbach, California Health Sciences University

Description

Agreements between libraries and publishers generally govern access to licensed electronic resources. These contracts allow authorized users, including students, faculty, and staff, access to online resources supporting their educational, scholarly, or clinical needs. However, the growth in open access (OA) and open educational resources (OER), combined with the uptick in OA repositories, has presented an opportunity for health sciences libraries to extend such resources to preceptors, residents, alumni, and the health care community. This study aims to assess the need for and benefits of a central OER repository that would focus on colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs). This three-phase study would begin with a review of OER data and links found on COM libraries’ websites. In phase two, COM library directors would be asked to complete a survey focusing on OERs supporting COMs and their interest in contributing to a central COM OER repository. In phase three, selected COM library directors would be invited to participate in a focused interview regarding the design of a central COM OER repository and its potential benefits. The study results could inform COM administrators and library directors about trends across COMs and justify the need for, design, and contributions to a central COM OER repository. Such a repository would showcase how such content could be stored and shared freely and how it could benefit COM libraries and the health care community. The results could also assist medical and library leadership in reallocating budget dollars and expanding library services for unaffiliated health care professionals.

 
Nov 17th, 3:55 PM

Open Educational Resources Within Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: Assessing the Needs and Developing a Repository Framework

Agreements between libraries and publishers generally govern access to licensed electronic resources. These contracts allow authorized users, including students, faculty, and staff, access to online resources supporting their educational, scholarly, or clinical needs. However, the growth in open access (OA) and open educational resources (OER), combined with the uptick in OA repositories, has presented an opportunity for health sciences libraries to extend such resources to preceptors, residents, alumni, and the health care community. This study aims to assess the need for and benefits of a central OER repository that would focus on colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs). This three-phase study would begin with a review of OER data and links found on COM libraries’ websites. In phase two, COM library directors would be asked to complete a survey focusing on OERs supporting COMs and their interest in contributing to a central COM OER repository. In phase three, selected COM library directors would be invited to participate in a focused interview regarding the design of a central COM OER repository and its potential benefits. The study results could inform COM administrators and library directors about trends across COMs and justify the need for, design, and contributions to a central COM OER repository. Such a repository would showcase how such content could be stored and shared freely and how it could benefit COM libraries and the health care community. The results could also assist medical and library leadership in reallocating budget dollars and expanding library services for unaffiliated health care professionals.