Glut of information, dearth of knowledge? A consideration of the information needs of practitioners identified during the FAME project

Abstract

Purpose -This paper emanates from work carried out in the learning and evaluation strand of the UK e-government initiative Framework for MultiAgency Environments (FAME) and focuses on a research question raised during research on the FAME project. When considering the best ways in which to disseminate the results of such initiatives, it became apparent that it would be useful to examine how the professionals and practitioners to be targeted currently accessed and used information. Design/methodology/approach -The paper combined a literature review with an analysis of data from a pre-implementation FAME questionnaire and a post-implementation questionnaire and analysis of data on attendance at project board meetings for the FAME strands. Findings -There are IT and training implications with respect to social care professionals' and practitioners' access to information. With respect to IT, there are issues of access and skills levels which may explain a preference displayed among the professionals and practitioners to derive information from colleagues rather than via information and communications technologies (ICTs). With respect to training, there are needs with regard to IT upskilling and, in addition, for those professionals and practitioners who have been in practice a number of years there is a need for updating of knowledge of developments such as evidence-based practice.Research limitations/implications -The research stemmed from another project (i.e. FAME) so the questionnaires were not tailored to answer fully the research question posed. However, analysis of FAME-generated data provides useful pointers for further exploration of the issues raised. Practical implications -There is an indication that further ICT training, more ICT resources and improved access are needed by many professionals and practitioners in a social care setting. Consideration should be given to means of delivering such training and to the provision of opportunities for continuous professional development to ensure that they are familiar with newer developments such as evidence-based practice. Originality/value -From the literature review this would appear to be an under-researched area. It is hoped that this work will provide a springboard for further research.

Learning from research on the information behaviour of healthcare professionals: a review of the literature 2004–2008 with a focus on emotion

“…Tan et al. 20 report on some issues such as trust, reputation and credibility of information sources, and Gannon‐Leary 2 on practitioners’ preferences for information identified during the Framework for Multi‐Agency Environments (FAME) project. Fikar and Keith also briefly touch on issues of trust and privacy in their study on the information needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender healthcare professionals.…”

“… 23 mentioning that their study is aimed at uncovering the feelings and thoughts of chief executive officers (CEOs) (they do, however, not expand on this in discussing the findings); Bennett et al. 22 on the need to fill gaps, including affective needs as well as the importance of attitude and self‐confidence and emotional reasons for seeking information; Bertulis and Cheeseborough 34 on motivation and attitude, Craig and Corrall 35 mentioning self‐confidence; Davies 36 referring to the difficulty in recognizing information needs; Fikar and Keith 37 touching on preferences for information sources as well as emotional reasons for seeking information; Fourie and Claasen‐Veldsman 38 mentioning emotional reasons for seeking information; Gannon‐Leary 2 referring to preferences for information sources; Kim et al. 39 mentioning the use of vingettes to deal with the difficulty in recognizing information needs; Komolafe and Onatola 40 briefly mentioning self‐confidence and attitude; Lu et al.…”

“…Healthcare society faces increasing emphasis on quality healthcare and patient involvement in decision making, as well as calls for evidence‐based medicine, staying abreast of developments in the field, and for continuing professional development (CPD) 1–3 . In addition to the challenge of maintaining up‐to‐date knowledge and skills, 4 there have been a marked increase in information requests associated with the rising numbers of patients diagnosed with life‐threatening diseases 5 and patient preference to die at home when diagnosed as terminal 6 .…”