This is the unspecified version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link:

This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Design/methodology/approach -To investigate the model's application to information users, the findings from published literature on physicians' information behaviour were studied. To investigate its application to information providers, interviews were carried out with staff working for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and with employees of pharmaceutical companies. The findings were examined using deductive content analysis. Permanent repository linkFindings -The findings endorse the validity of the model, with minor modifications. The ISCM provides practical insights into the behaviour of both users and providers of information and the factors that influence them. It can be used to identify ways in which information behaviour may be positively modified in both finding and communicating healthcare information.Originality/value -This research demonstrates the practical value of a new model of information behaviour which was developed using insights from earlier models. In doing so it answers criticisms that research in library and information science often fails to build on previous research and that it has little practical usefulness.

Pharmaceutical companies' medical information services are well established in Europe. They are responsible for providing information about a company's medicines to health care professionals and to the Company's marketing, sales, and other sta8 Although terminology, roles, and responsibilities differ from country to country (and from company to company), there are many similarities.The aim of this article is to give a brief overview of medical information services in Europe. Although both of us are based in the United Kingdom, we have extensive contact with our colleagues in mainland Europe. Our comments are based on our own experience and on what we have learned from our colleagues.