The Information Prescription: Just What the Doctor Ordered!

Information prescriptions, 1930–2013: an international history and comprehensive review

“…NLM's major promotion of information prescriptions for pages in its MedlinePlus consumer health information portal resulted in widespread implementation in the United States [1]. A pilot project in five regions of the state of Virginia [73,74] made heavy use of the "Librarian's Tool Kit" provided by NLM [18,73].…”

“…Recently, various government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries have promoted or sponsored information prescription programs [1], Physician-ordered reading for pa tients-sometimes facilitated by a librarian-has a long history. It encompasses many models using different kinds of literature through different media, but all with the stated goal of increasing patients' knowledge and understanding of some aspect of their personal health.…”

“…In this century, a number of government agencies in different countries have promoted models and mate rials for information prescriptions [1]. Gavgani has presented and published papers on information prescription practice in developing countries, espe cially in India and Iran [14][15][16][17].…”

“…With support from NLM, medical librarians conducted training sessions for physicians, emphasizing the use of a preprinted "information prescription pad," which included the uniform resource locator (URL) for MedlinePlus. NLM also produced a "Toolkit for Health Sciences Libraries" to use in promoting the program [1]. The NLM Information Rx toolkit consisted of a box containing a larger and a smaller information prescription pad, a sign advertising MedlinePlus, bookmarks about Me-dlinePlus, and pocket cards for use as personal health records [18].…”

Interview with Michele Spatz

“…In that project physicians are provided with Information Rx pads similar to prescription pads and were encouraged to refer their patients to a reliable Web site on the Internet. The Information RX Toolkit for Health Science Librarians has been used successfully all over the United States and is being tried in other countries ( 2,3,4). Using an Infobutton to electronically "order" patient information or to place a request for a knowledge navigator certainly will, in my opinion, bring consumer health services more directly into the patient care process.…”