Collaborating for patient information - a Macquarie University Library initiative

Macquarie University Cancer Institute (MCI), located within the university's medical precinct, supports multidisciplinary services for brain, lung, breast, gastrointestinal and urological cancers. In response to a need detected by clinicians, where people often find inaccurate internet information on their cancer, Macquarie University Library and MCI created a website providing filtered information for cancer patients and their families. This collaboration expanded to include additional staff from the library, medical school, MCI and Macquarie University Hospital as well as university educators and psychologists with expertise in cancer and consumer health education. The collaboration between expert areas within the university has created a relevant, accessible information service for cancer patients, their families and the wider community. Promotion of the service by health professionals will be pivotal to its ongoing success, although the potential for expansion will depend upon available funding. Challenges remain in achieving uptake of the website by hospital and clinical departments working independently of the MCI team.