Consumer Health Information Services 2.0

Mayer, Susan; Smith, Kay Hogan; Rios, Gabriel R.

doi:10.1080/15398280802143566

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Managers and policymakers in public libraries should pay attention to the quality of health information services. This is because the number of referrals to public libraries for medical and health information has increased in recent years (Baker et al, 2002), and despite the search for health information on the Internet, users have challenges in obtaining information and prefer to use public libraries to find reliable health information (Marshall and Williams, 2006;Mayer et al, 2008;Weightman and Williamson, 2005).…”

Section: Managerial Implications and Suggestionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the quality of health information services in public libraries: an experience from Iran

Valadi-khorram

Amiri

Saberi

2020

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PurposeConsidering the important role of public libraries in providing health information service as well as user feedback in improving the quality of health information services, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of health information service in public libraries of Hamadan, Iran, on the basis of the modified LibQUAL modelDesign/methodology/approachThis practical research was conducted in an analytic-survey method. The statistical population consists of all members of public libraries of Hamadan over 18 years old (12,237 people), and the sample size is calculated to be 373 people. The stratified sampling method was used, and within each class, a convenience sampling method was used. The modified LibQUAL questionnaire was used to gather data. For checking normality of data distribution, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and for analyzing date, descriptive statistics and also Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests were applied using SPSS 25.FindingsThe users' minimum level of public libraries in all three dimensions is an average level. The users' desired level of “information control” is higher than other dimensions. The users' perceived level in dimensions of “human resources” and “information control” is high level, while users' perceived level in “educational service” is an “average” level. There is a superiority gap between desired and perceived level in all dimensions, but the adequacy gap was seen only in the dimension of “educational service.”Research limitations/implicationsIn this study, the quality of health information services provided in public libraries is evaluated by the LibQUAL model.Practical implicationsThe results of this research can help managers and librarians of public libraries in measuring the quality of health information services and improving the quality of services provided by libraries. Besides, they can take a more accurate planning and pathologic approach, to eliminate the gap between minimum and desired expectations of users and libraries’ real services.Originality/valueIn this study, the quality of health information services provided in public libraries is evaluated by LibQUAL tool.

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Section: Managerial Implications and Suggestionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the quality of health information services in public libraries: an experience from Iran

Valadi-khorram

Amiri

Saberi

2020

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“…Despite the prevalence of health information seeking through the Internet, users still encounter difficulty obtaining what they need by themselves, and visit libraries to find health information (Marshall and Williams, 2006; Mayer et al, 2008; Weightman and Williamson, 2005). In particular, public libraries play an important role in meeting the health information needs of laypeople referred to as consumers (Bibel, 2008; Pifalo et al, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the librarian/user gap in perception of health information services: A phenomenographic approach

You

2014

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

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The study aimed to illuminate different perspectives between public library users and librarians in perceiving the major challenges for consumer health information services and suggest how to reduce the gap between them. The study employed phenomenography, a qualitative approach, and conducted semi-structured intensive interviews with 40 public library users and 20 reference librarians at 12 public libraries in Florida and Maryland. Findings identified gaps between user needs and the assistance that librarians provide for them. Privacy issues affect the types of health information resources users prefer, where budget constraints influence the ones on which librarians focus. While traditional reference interviews stress clear communication between users and librarians, the present study underscores that non-verbal communication is crucial in helping users protect their privacy. Understanding the different perspectives of consumer health information services can provide insights for design and evaluation strategies of such service, and training and education of librarians and users.

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“…With frequent changes in the healthcare environment and demands for more health-related information, people are relying heavily on consumer health information (Fox and Duggan, 2013). Although a majority of Americans seek consumer health information on the Internet (Mayer et al, 2008), about 6% of American adults perceive public libraries as their primary or valuable source for health information (Kwon and Kim, 2009), and still look for print sources, such as books and magazines (Zickuhr et al, 2013). Public libraries have provided people with health information for over 40 years (Baker et al, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health literacy and health information behavior of Florida public library users: A mixed methods study

2014

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

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The study aimed to examine users’ self-perceived health information behavior according to their health literacy ability. The proficiency levels for health literacy were measured by scores on the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy Ability (S-TOFHLA). The study conducted self-administered surveys with 131 public library users and semi-structured intensive interviews with 20 users as a follow-up. Surveys found that most participants had proficient levels of health literacy, and there was an association between health literacy and some demographic characteristics such as gender and educational level. The majority assessed their health information behavior as high. Interviewees identified critical barriers to seeking, evaluating, and using health information delivered by public libraries. Findings provided insights into public libraries for better assistance for their users’ particular needs such as preferred resources or services. Above all, the findings acknowledged the challenges of current services, and suggested the strategies for coping with them.

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Consumer Health Information Services 2.0

Cited by 7 publications

References 2 publications

Evaluating the quality of health information services in public libraries: an experience from Iran

Evaluating the quality of health information services in public libraries: an experience from Iran

Understanding the librarian/user gap in perception of health information services: A phenomenographic approach

Health literacy and health information behavior of Florida public library users: A mixed methods study

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