Clinical Information Provision in an Era of Hospital Mergers and Acquisitions (24th Health Sciences Lively Discussion): Developments 2023-2024 - handout

Abstract

This session is a gathering for lively discussion by attendees with an interest in the health sciences. Moderated by Sarah McClung, with co-planners Montie’ Dobbins (LSU Health Shreveport) and Kim Steinle (Health Affairs), the 2024 session featured a panel of experts who will share insights focused on one of the pillars of health sciences library work- support for the clinical enterprise. Panelists discussed disruptions, evolution, and health enterprise downstream ripple effects resulting from business decisions involving hospital mergers and acquisitions.

After brief greetings from session co-planners, Ramune Kubilius (Northwestern University Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center) spotlighted scholarly publishing trends extrapolated from the 2023/24 “Developments” handout.

Focus turned to the 2024 topic as MUSC faculty member and researcher, Dunc Williams, set the scene by overviewing hospital merger and acquisition trends and how business decisions (and motivations) affect the healthcare landscape, particularly in underserved areas. Academic health science library administrators, Daniel Burgard and Renae Barger, addressed impacts on libraries- services, staff and resource downsizing, changed relations and agreements with stakeholders, the clinical healthcare team, and publishers.

Attendees were encouraged to participate in lively discussion about challenges and opportunities surfaced by the presenters.