Information needs of specialist healthcare professionals: a preliminary study based on the West of Scotland Colorectal Cancer Managed Clinical Network

Abstract

Objectives : Funded by Research in the Workplace Award (RIWA) 2001, the study investigated the information needs and use of NHS library services by members of the West of Scotland Colorectal Cancer Managed Clinical Network (MCN), a single subject, cross boundary, multi-professional organization. Method : A postal questionnaire sent out in October 2002 was returned by 100 members and follow-up interviews were held in March 2003 with 11 of the respondents. The questions related to access to resources, library services such as literature searches, current awareness and training. They also explored the use of electronic resources and the Internet. Results : Respondents were mainly hospital doctors and a few nurses from across five health boards. Most had access to a library, although not all made use of it, possibly an indication of the need for improved communications between librarians and health-care staff. Generally, research and professional development were reported as reasons for needing cancer information, but on further investigation the motivation to conduct literature searches was more related to patient care. Examples included treatment of unusual cases, locating information for patients and identifying guidelines. There are indications of unmet needs for local contact information and evaluated patient information. Conclusion : Development of a cancer portal within the NHS Scotland eLibrary available from May 2004 based on the Managed Knowledge Network (MKN) concept is attempting to address many of the issues raised in the survey, including inequities of access to services and signposting to a variety of types of information.

The information requirements and information‐seeking behaviours of health and social care professionals providing care to children with health care needs: a pilot study

“…This pilot study has illustrated the information needs of a representative sample of health and social care professionals involved in the care of children with health care needs. Further exploration of the information needs of such professionals, for instance through the use of follow‐up interviews and focus groups to evaluate needs, would be of value, as shown in previous studies 5,19 . In particular, more in‐depth research to further explore the usage and future preferences for delivery of information via Intranet resources would clearly be of benefit to service providers.…”

“…Providing, for example, links to local services and to pre‐existing high‐quality, national resources, such as the NHS Child Health and Paediatrics Specialist Library, 18 and the availability of a search‐engine facility within a specialist electronic hub could be a useful system for information delivery. The development of such local specialist portals has been promoted and also shown to be popular amongst other professionals 4,19 …”

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

“…dealing with unusual cases such as a deaf patient, locating information for patients and the identification of guidelines that may help with patient care. It seems as if the perception of ‘patient care’ is very important in this regard: ‘Linked to the concept of networked provision of patients care is the ‘patient journey’, which does not regard patient care as isolated acute episodes but as a continuum encompassing health promotion, preventative care and follow‐up support from community health and social services’ 43 …”

“… Attitude to information seeking. According to Thain and Wales ‘It was interesting to note that, in general, time spent looking for information was considered justified’ 43 Physicians’ confidence in their search skills 22 …”

“… 20 on preferences for information sources including trust, and the reputation and credibility of information sources; Tannery et al. 42 mentioning personality characteristics; Thain and Wales 43 mentioning motivation and attitude; and Ward et al. 44 mentioning self‐confidence.…”