Using a Writing Retreat to Enhance the Research and Publication Efforts of Medical Librarians: A Case Study. Jack Bullion, MLS, AHIP, Lead Medical Librarian Texas Health Resources; Stewart Brower, MLIS, AHIP Director, Schusterman Library University of Oklahoma-Tulsa.
Objective: This paper examines the effect of an academic writing retreat on the scholarship and publication efforts of medical librarians.
Setting/Participants/Resources: The 2012 and 2013 annual meetings of the South Central Chapter of the Medical Library Association.
Brief description: This paper describes an initiative undertaken by librarians to develop a two-day writing retreat to coincide with their chapter’s 2012 and 2013 annual meetings for those members who wanted to advance research projects toward publication. The goals of the writing retreat for attendees were as follows: • Demonstrate significant progress on manuscripts • Apply all applicable writing and revision suggestions from peers and event facilitators • Determine the optimal journal(s) to submit projects for publication • Develop a plan and timeline for project beyond the retreat
The retreat provided attendees with several hours of uninterrupted writing time in a relaxed setting with ample formal and informal workshopping opportunities to receive support and encouragement on their manuscripts-in-progress from colleagues.
Results/Outcome: The writing retreat has increased interest in scholarly publishing in the chapter, and has led to the formation of a cohort that, since its inception at the 2012 meeting, has published (to date) a minimum of fifteen non-peer reviewed articles, two book chapters, and five peer-reviewed articles.
Evaluation method: A post-retreat survey questionnaire was distributed to each attendee to determine their perceptions of the writing retreat and their willingness to continue advancing their research projects toward publication.
