The SPECTRAL project: a training needs analysis for providers of clinical question answering services.

Purpose: To characterise the training needs of those providing clinical question answering services (CQAS).

Participants: Seventeen specialist UK staff working in CQAS, 21 from general health library UK staff and eight international respondents.

Methodology: A literature review examined documented training needs for CQAS staff. A follow-up questionnaire examined prior training and experience and identified training needs for the surveyed staff.

Results/outcomes: Ninety per cent of CQAS staff had worked in health services for 3 years or longer. Training received in preparation for the CQAS role comprised literature searching (including the PRECEPT/ADEPT and cochrane library courses) and critical appraisal. Skills considered 'essential' for clinical question answering were 'literature searching' (100%), 'understanding the context of clinical questions', 'bibliographic databases', 'evidence-based sources' and 'the Internet' (all 93%). Main training needs for specialist CQAS staff include management and organisation of CQAS and technical skills in interpretation and presentation.

Discussion/conclusion: CQAS staff require a formal training programme. Most CQAS staff considered that this should be a mandatory requirement.