The public's information needs on analgesics: A descriptive study in a drug information centre

BACKGROUND: DRUGLINE is a full-text, question-and-answer database offering drug information that has been evaluated as a result of consultations in a drug information center. A problem-oriented database such as DRUGLINE can be an efficient way to meet the increasing need among healthcare professionals for timely and accurate drug information. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how DRUGLINE was used during the years 1988 and 1990 and to identify any changes in needs, expectations, satisfaction, and use that occurred during those two years. DESIGN: This study investigated the use of DRUGLINE during two separate years. Questionnaires relating to DRUGLINE use during 1988 and 1990 were sent on two occasions to all users having access to the database. The anonymous questionnaires contained 17 and 18 questions, respectively. SETTING: The setting included MEDLINE/DRUGLINE use in healthcare institutions, pharmacies, medical libraries, and the pharmaceutical industry. PARTICIPANTS: The questionnaires were sent to all customers of the database host Medical Information Centre at the Karolinska Institute Library and Information Centre having access to DRUGLINE during 1988 and 1990. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The responses were organized into those from users and nonusers within the following professions: Physicians, pharmacists, librarians, and others. RESULTS: The response rates were 87 percent in 1989 and 89 percent in 1991. The professional distribution among the respondents in 1991 was physicians, 36 percent; pharmacists, 20 percent; medical librarians, 21 percent; and others, 23 percent. One-third of the respondents had searched DRUGLINE during 1988 and 1990. The number of users increased by 25 percent between 1988 and 1990; however, the percentage of users versus nonusers did not change. Pharmacists comprised the largest user group and experienced the greatest increase in users. Most users were satisfied with the result of their searches, usually because they were guided to solve a specific drug problem at a reasonable cost. CONCLUSIONS: A full-text, question-and-answer drug information database has great potential to help problem-solving in medical care. The technical versatility of the information system and its factual contents need to be continuously assured. Health professionals have to identify their information needs and develop efficient procedures to meet these needs.

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Content and analysis of a knowledge translation activity for an elder abuse detection tool: a descriptive study

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02402-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mark J. Yaffe

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Knowledge Translation ◽

Information Needs ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Public Health Research ◽

Descriptive Data ◽

Detection Tool ◽

Suspicion Index ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Abstract Background Knowledge translation (KT) is challenging to carry out and assess. The content of a program developed to foster KT activities pertaining to the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI)©, a tool to help identify elder abuse, is described, along with reporting and analysis of some of its outcomes. Methods Enquiries about the use of the EASI were encouraged through completion of a structured questionnaire available on an EASI website. These were submitted by email and guided individualized responses. Descriptive data collated anonymously from the questionnaires described in aggregate corresponders’ occupations, countries of work, information needs about the tool, and intent of use. The processes that generated this data were evaluated as to whether they conformed to established elements of KT. Results One hundred thirty-eight queries were received over 6 years coming from enquirers with 12 different professional backgrounds, working in 25 countries. The information sought aimed to facilitate EASI use in clinical, quality improvement, public health, research, teaching, KT, and commercial ventures. Conclusions This activity, incorporating recognized elements of a KT undertaking, documents specific global interests in elder abuse detection. It suggests a model for researchers to gauge interest in their findings and to promote exchange around them.

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Drug Information Needs of Health Care Professionals in Palliative Care: A Retrospective Evaluation of a Palliative Care Drug Information Service

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management ◽

10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.02.033 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alina Hermann ◽

Claudia Bausewein ◽

Constanze Rémi

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Information Needs ◽

Drug Information ◽

Information Service ◽

Retrospective Evaluation ◽

Drug Information Service

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Assessment and evaluation of drug information services provided by drug information centre at a multispecialty hospital in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India

International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20183935 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. 1987

Author(s):

Krishnaveni K. ◽

Kameswaran R. ◽

Sumitha S. K. ◽

Achsah Susan Sajan

Keyword(s):

Tamil Nadu ◽

Drug Information ◽

Information Source ◽

General Medicine ◽

Information Services ◽

Direct Access ◽

Drug Information Services ◽

Information Centre ◽

Feedback Questionnaire ◽

Ward Rounds

Background: To evaluate the performance of Drug Information Centre (DIC) in providing quality drug information services to the health care professionals.Methods: It was a prospective study carried out for a period of six months (June-November 2017). The drug information services provided by the pharmacist at the DIC during ward rounds, direct access, telephone and mail were documented in the drug information request and documentation forms. The quality of drug information provided was assessed with the help of feedback questionnaire which was filled by receivers.Results: A total of 283 queries were received, with a maximum from ward rounds 140(49.47%). On evaluation, it was found that most of the queries were from physicians 207 (73.14%) followed by nurses 33(11.66%), pharmacists 26 (9.18%), patients 17 (6.07%). Among that 178 (62.89%) queries were received from department of general medicine. Most of the queries were intended to update knowledge 110 (38.86%) and for the purpose of better patient care 90 (31.81%). The time frame for an authentic reply ranged from minutes to 24 hours, where a maximum of 110 (38.86%) queries had sent a 24 hours deadline. The majority of the queries were for adverse drug reactions [ADR-60 (21.20%)] and most preferred resources were primary 188 (66.43%).Conclusions: The DIC has always presented and offered itself to be an impressive resource, which is used routinely as an information source by all levels of professionals involved in the health system, in addition to the patients themselves.

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Content and Analysis of a Knowledge Translation Activity for an Elder Abuse Detection Tool: A Descriptive Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-489471/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mark J. Yaffe⃰

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Knowledge Translation ◽

Information Needs ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Public Health Research ◽

Descriptive Data ◽

Detection Tool ◽

Suspicion Index ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Abstract Background: Knowledge translation (KT) is challenging to carry out and assess. The content of a program developed to foster KT activities pertaining to the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI) ©, a tool to help identify elder abuse, is described, along with reporting and analysis of some of its outcomes. Methods: Enquiries about the use of the EASI were encouraged through completion of a structured questionnaire available on an EASI website. These were submitted by email and guided individualized responses. Descriptive data collated anonymously from the questionnaires described in aggregate corresponders’ occupations, countries of work, information needs about the tool, and intent of use. The processes that generated this data were evaluated as to whether they conformed to established elements of KT.Results: 138 queries were received over 6 years coming from enquirers with 12 different professional backgrounds, working in 25 countries. The information sought aimed to facilitate EASI use in clinical, quality improvement, public health, research, teaching, KT, and commercial ventures..Conclusions: This activity, incorporating recognized elements of a KT undertaking, documents specific global interests in elder abuse detection. It suggests a model for researchers to guage interest in their findings and to promote exchange around them.

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Meeting Drug Information Needs of Adolescents

IASL Annual Conference Proceedings ◽

10.29173/iasl8185 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 95-106

Author(s):

Ross J. Todd

Keyword(s):

Teaching And Learning ◽

Information Needs ◽

Drug Information ◽

Literacy Education ◽

School Libraries ◽

Process Information ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Teacher Librarians ◽

Drug Free

Drugs are an important life concern of adolescents, yet statistics show alarming and disturbing increases internationally in drug abuse. This paper reports on research that examines how adolescents cognitively process information about drugs. It explores why they chose and rejected information, and how they put it to use. The findings have important implications for the role of school libraries in the provision of drug information, the teaching and learning process, information literacy education, as well as for the role of teachers and teacher-librarians in shaping the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents toward a drug-free lifestyle.

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