Evolving Roles of Library and Information Science Professionals in Supporting Digital Health Research Information Systems

Résumé fourni par la source

The digital transformation of health sciences has fundamentally altered the processes of research generation, dissemination, and evaluation. Health Research Information Systems (HRIS) have emerged as critical infrastructures that support research lifecycle management, including publication tracking, grant monitoring, and research analytics. Within this evolving digital ecosystem, Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals are transitioning from traditional information custodians to strategic enablers of research intelligence and data-driven decision-making. This study examines the evolving roles, competencies, and institutional contributions of LIS professionals in supporting HRIS in health science environments. A descriptive and analytical research design was adopted, utilizing both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with LIS professionals working in medical colleges and research institutions. Secondary sources included policy documents, institutional reports, and scholarly literature. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings reveal that LIS professionals play a crucial role in research data management, bibliometric analysis, repository management, and research evaluation support. However, challenges such as limited technical infrastructure, inadequate training in advanced analytics, and lack of recognition in institutional governance persist. The study concludes that LIS professionals are pivotal to the success of HRIS and recommends strengthening their integration into research strategy frameworks and enhancing their digital competencies.