Rural Community Gateway

Remote and Rural e-Library and Managed Knowledge Network
By Fiona Stewart

Generally speaking in our working lives if we need to find out something out we would ask a colleague in the first instance and if that fails perform an internet search and consult a local collection of books and journals. Only when these do not provide a satisfactory result we consult a librarian.

But for those working in remote and rural Scotland delivering patient care, many of these traditional routes to knowledge support are either difficult to access or, in some cases, just not there. Practitioners work in isolation with no colleagues nearby, physical libraries are often a great distance away, and internet search engines return so much information it’s hard to tell what is reliable.

This use of new technology is seen as a way forward to help overcome many of the issues of geography that are faced.  Indeed, this is not a new approach for remote and rural practice. Sir John Dewar, MP for Inverness, in a Treasury-funded Report of 1912, recommended the use of new technology to help address "inadequacy of medical attendance" in remote of rural areas. One of the new technologies referred to here was the use of the telephone, the other was the car. 

In September 2006, following a detailed knowledge needs analysis, the Remote and Rural Care e-Library and Managed Knowledge Network was launched by the Knowledge Services Group of NHS Education for Scotland to address these knowledge support problems.

This web-based resource provides knowledge support for healthcare staff across Scotland working in the remote and rural environment to help with clinical and managerial decision–making; education; training and lifelong learning.

There is access to a combination of quality assured knowledge resources such as electronic books, journals, guidelines and databases, seamless cross-searching of partner websites and databases to help support both generalist and specialist needs as well as drawing together remote and rural care resources that have a local, national and international focus. 

It also provides a unique tool – the Shared Space – to enable the sharing of resources, good practice and experience with colleagues and experts.  This Shared Space tool provides a virtual workspace where members can suggest news, events and resources to share with others and engage in discussions. 

Many of the e-Library resources are freely available without any password, but it is recommended to apply for a password in order to get the full benefit of the service.  This can be done by visiting the homepage and clicking on "need to register" at the top of the page.  The Shared Space area is, by its nature, password protected and an Athens username is required as a means of authentication. 

Access to the published resources via the e-library and the enabling the sharing of resources and personal knowledge through the Shared space all serve to underpin the Remote and Rural Managed Knowledge Network (MKN).

This MKN is a virtual network and connects all healthcare staff and partners working within the remote and rural environment.   Since its launch membership has grown steadily with many groups creating their own communities using the shared space tool within the MKN, engaging in discussions and sharing knowledge and experience.

Feedback from those who have used it is encouraging and we continuously endeavour to meet changing and evolving knowledge needs and were delighted to be nominated for inclusion in the 100 best things in Rural Scotland list.

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