scholarly journals Report from the Medical Library Association’s InSight Initiative Summit 2: Meeting the Evolving Information Needs of Library Stakeholders

2019 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine G. Akers
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Information Discovery ◽  
Group Problem Solving ◽  
Medical Library ◽  
Barriers To Access

At the Medical Library Association’s InSight Initiative Summit 2, held September 27–28, 2018, academic and hospital librarians joined with publishing industry partners to develop a deeper shared understanding of technology- and social interaction–driven changes in how health sciences researchers and clinicians discover and consume information in their fields. Through a mixture of keynote talks, a panel discussion with health care professionals, and small-group problem-solving exercises, the summit program invited participants to collaboratively develop strategies for helping users recognize the value of curated or peer-reviewed content obtained through institutional access channels. Themes of the summit included the existence of different user modes of information discovery and access, user reliance on professional societies and Twitter as information sources, the extent to which smartphones are used to find medical information, the importance of inducing disorienting dilemmas in library users that cause them to recognize librarians as true partners in information seeking and research, the dangers of depending on non-curated information, and the need for publishers and librarians to work together to ease barriers to access and enrich the user experience.

scholarly journals Report from the Medical Library Association’s InSight Initiative Summit 1: Engaging Users in a Disruptive Era

2018 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine G. Akers
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Collaboration ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Publishing Industry ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Group Problem ◽  
Group Problem Solving ◽  
Scholarly Publications ◽  
Medical Library ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
Insight Into

At the Medical Library Association’s Insight Initiative Summit 1, held March 6–7, 2018, academic and hospital librarians and publishing industry partners came together to discuss their shared role in engaging users of health sciences information in an era in which “disruptors” such as pirate websites, scientific collaboration networks, and preprint servers pose threats to traditional means of access to scholarly content. Through a mixture of keynote talks, themed panel discussions, and small-group problem-solving exercises, the summit program raised important questions, sparked conversation, and provided insight into the need for both libraries and publishing organizations to improve their user experience, lower their barriers to access, and offer value to users that cannot be provided by competitors, including helping authors and students become informed, responsible advocates for and consumers of scholarly publications. The key takeaways from the summit are expected to impact libraries’ and publishers’ strategies and stimulate the cocreation of enduring materials to enhance user engagement in disseminating and discovering scientific and medical information.

scholarly journals Advancing the conversation: next steps for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) health sciences librarianship

2017 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake W. Hawkins ◽  
Martin Morris ◽  
Tony Nguyen ◽  
John Siegel ◽  
Emily Vardell
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Medical Library ◽  
Lgbtq Health ◽  
Canadian Health ◽  
Seeking Behavior

In recent years, librarians in various sectors have been moving forward a conversation on the distinct information needs and information-seeking behavior of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) patrons and how well the profession recognizes and meets those needs. Health sciences librarianship has been slower than other areas of the profession in creating an evidence base covering the needs of its LGBTQ patrons, with, until recently, only very limited literature on this subject. LGBTQ health sciences librarianship is now starting to attract new interest, with librarians working together to bring this emerging specialization to the attention of the broader professional community. In this paper, the authors report on a dedicated panel discussion that took place at the 2016 joint annual meeting of the Medical Library Association and Canadian Health Libraries Association/Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; discuss subsequent reflections; and highlight the emerging role for health sciences librarians in providing culturally competent services to the LGBTQ population. Recommendations are also provided for establishing a tool kit for LGBTQ health sciences librarianship from which librarians can draw. We conclude by highlighting the importance of critically reflective practice in health sciences librarianship in the context of LGBTQ health information.

Intelligent Portals for Supporting Medical Information Needs

Web Portals ◽  
2011 ◽  
pp. 270-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Moon ◽  
Frada Burstein
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Internet Usage ◽  
Medical Decisions ◽  
Community Information ◽  
Decision Making Processes

The aim of this chapter is to review the way portal technology can assist users seeking medical information. There has been an increase in health Internet usage, and better health-care delivery outcomes are predicted as users are better informed when making medical decisions. At the same time, there is much concern about the need for medical portals to meet community information needs. This chapter discusses what constitutes an intelligent portal, discusses desirable portal components and attributes of intelligent portal features, and how these can be implemented to meet the needs of diverse users. Seven Australian medical Web sites have been analysed according to intelligence features. The results and analysis are presented and discussed, in particular, with respect to their functionality as defined for intelligent portals. The discussion is focused on the extent to which these attributes help users with their information seeking and therefore support their decision-making processes.

scholarly journals Pediatric information seeking behaviour, information needs, and information preferences of health care professionals in general emergency departments: Results from the Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) Needs Assessment

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon D. Scott ◽  
Lauren Albrecht ◽  
Lisa M. Given ◽  
Lisa Hartling ◽  
David W. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Information Preferences

AbstractThe majority of children requiring emergency care are treated in general emergency departments (EDs) with variable levels of pediatric care expertise. The goal of the Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) initiative is to implement the latest research in pediatric emergency medicine in general EDs to reduce clinical variation.ObjectivesTo determine national pediatric information needs, seeking behaviours, and preferences of health care professionals working in general EDs.MethodsAn electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted with health care professionals in 32 Canadian general EDs. Data were collected in the EDs using the iPad and in-person data collectors.ResultsTotal of 1,471 surveys were completed (57.1% response rate). Health care professionals sought information on children’s health care by talking to colleagues (n=1,208, 82.1%), visiting specific medical/health websites (n=994, 67.7%), and professional development opportunities (n=941, 64.4%). Preferred child health resources included protocols and accepted treatments for common conditions (n=969, 68%), clinical pathways and practice guidelines (n=951, 66%), and evidence-based information on new diagnoses and treatments (n=866, 61%). Additional pediatric clinical information is needed about multisystem trauma (n=693, 49%), severe head injury (n=615, 43%), and meningitis (n=559, 39%). Health care professionals preferred to receive child health information through professional development opportunities (n=1,131, 80%) and printed summaries (n=885, 63%).ConclusionBy understanding health care professionals’ information seeking behaviour, information needs, and information preferences, knowledge synthesis and knowledge translation initiatives can be targeted to improve pediatric emergency care. The findings from this study will inform the following two phases of the TREKK initiative to bridge the research-practice gap in Canadian general EDs.

scholarly journals Information Needs and Information-Seeking Behavior of Italian Neurologists: Exploratory Mixed Methods Study

10.2196/14979 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. e14979
Author(s):  
Silvia Demergazzi ◽  
Luca Pastore ◽  
Giada Bassani ◽  
Marco Arosio ◽  
Caterina Lonati
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Offline Channels

Background Current medical professions involve an extensive knowledge of the latest validated scientific data to implement disease diagnosis, therapeutic strategies, and patient care. Although clinicians can refer to a growing number and type of information sources to keep current with new scientific achievements, there are still various concerns about medical information validity, quality, and applicability into clinical practice. Novel strategies are required to identify physicians’ real-life needs with the final aim to improve modern medical information delivery. Objective Our research used an innovative tool to collect real-time physician queries in order to investigate information needs and seeking behavior of Italian neurologists treating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and migraine. Methods The study was designed as an exploratory mixed methods (ie, qualitative and quantitative) study involving 15 consecutive days of observation. A total of 50 neurologists (n=25 MS and n=25 migraine specialists) were recruited. Data were collected using an instant messaging mobile app designed for this research. At each information-seeking event, moderators triggered a computer-assisted personal interview including both semistructured interview and close-ended questions. Interactions and physician queries collected using the mobile app were coded into emerging themes by content analysis. Results Neurologist queries were relevant to the following major themes: therapy management (36/50, 71%) and drug-related information (34/50, 67%), followed by diagnostic strategies and procedures (21/50, 42%). Quantitative analysis indicated online resources were preferentially used by clinicians (48/50, 96%) compared with offline sources (24/50, 47%). A multichannel approach, in which both online and offline sources were consulted to meet the same need, was adopted in 33% (65/198) of information-seeking events. Neurologists more likely retrieved information from online relative to offline channels (F=1.7; P=.01). MS specialists were 53% more likely to engage in one information-seeking event compared with migraine neurologists (risk ratio 1.54; 95% CI 1.16-2.05). MS specialists tended to be more interested in patient-related content than migraine clinicians (28% [7/25] vs 10% [2/25], P=.06), who conversely more likely sought information concerning therapy management (85% [21/25] vs 60% [15/25], P=.05). Compared with MS clinicians, migraine specialists had a harder time finding the required information, either looking at online or offline channels (F=12.5; P=.01) and less frequently used offline channels (30% [8/25] vs 60% [15/25] of information-seeking events, P=.02). When multiple sources needed to be consulted to retrieve an information item, a reduced satisfaction rate was observed both among migraine and MS specialists (single source vs multiple sources P=.003). Conclusions This study provides a detailed description of real-life seeking behavior, educational needs, and information sources adopted by Italian MS and migraine neurologists. Neurologist information needs and seeking behavior reflect the specific characteristics of the specialty area in which they operate. These findings suggest identification of time- and context-specific needs of clinicians is required to design an effective medical information strategy.

scholarly journals Report from the Medical Library Association’s InSight Initiative Summit 3: Bridge Building: What Bridges to Build and How

2020 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine G. Akers
Keyword(s):  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Group Problem Solving ◽  
Medical Library ◽  
Product Pricing ◽  
Building Activities ◽  
Bridge Building ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Information Providers

At the Medical Library Association’s Insight Initiative Summit 3, held June 12–13, 2019, academic and hospital librarians joined with publishing industry partners to identify vexing problems in publishing and accessing health sciences information. Through a mixture of panel discussions with health sciences faculty, librarians, and information providers; small-group problem-solving exercises; and large-group consensus-building activities, the summit program invited participants to appreciate each other’s viewpoints and propose a collaborative project leading to tangible outcomes that could ultimately benefit end users. Several vexing problems were identified, including poor communication and mistrust between librarians and publishers, complexities in product pricing structures and licenses, and users’ difficulties in accessing and using vetted information resources. However, librarians and publishers agreed that building a better shared understanding of users’ needs and behavior would be the most useful bridge toward regaining trust, establishing more effective partnerships, and designing and delivering quality information resources that are easily accessible and maximally useful to health sciences researchers, educators, clinicians, and students.

scholarly journals Information Needs and Information-Seeking Behavior of Italian Neurologists: Exploratory Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Demergazzi ◽  
Luca Pastore ◽  
Giada Bassani ◽  
Marco Arosio ◽  
Caterina Lonati
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Offline Channels

BACKGROUND Current medical professions involve an extensive knowledge of the latest validated scientific data to implement disease diagnosis, therapeutic strategies, and patient care. Although clinicians can refer to a growing number and type of information sources to keep current with new scientific achievements, there are still various concerns about medical information validity, quality, and applicability into clinical practice. Novel strategies are required to identify physicians’ real-life needs with the final aim to improve modern medical information delivery. OBJECTIVE Our research used an innovative tool to collect real-time physician queries in order to investigate information needs and seeking behavior of Italian neurologists treating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and migraine. METHODS The study was designed as an exploratory mixed methods (ie, qualitative and quantitative) study involving 15 consecutive days of observation. A total of 50 neurologists (n=25 MS and n=25 migraine specialists) were recruited. Data were collected using an instant messaging mobile app designed for this research. At each information-seeking event, moderators triggered a computer-assisted personal interview including both semistructured interview and close-ended questions. Interactions and physician queries collected using the mobile app were coded into emerging themes by content analysis. RESULTS Neurologist queries were relevant to the following major themes: therapy management (36/50, 71%) and drug-related information (34/50, 67%), followed by diagnostic strategies and procedures (21/50, 42%). Quantitative analysis indicated online resources were preferentially used by clinicians (48/50, 96%) compared with offline sources (24/50, 47%). A multichannel approach, in which both online and offline sources were consulted to meet the same need, was adopted in 33% (65/198) of information-seeking events. Neurologists more likely retrieved information from online relative to offline channels (F=1.7; <i>P</i>=.01). MS specialists were 53% more likely to engage in one information-seeking event compared with migraine neurologists (risk ratio 1.54; 95% CI 1.16-2.05). MS specialists tended to be more interested in patient-related content than migraine clinicians (28% [7/25] vs 10% [2/25], <i>P</i>=.06), who conversely more likely sought information concerning therapy management (85% [21/25] vs 60% [15/25], <i>P</i>=.05). Compared with MS clinicians, migraine specialists had a harder time finding the required information, either looking at online or offline channels (F=12.5; <i>P</i>=.01) and less frequently used offline channels (30% [8/25] vs 60% [15/25] of information-seeking events, <i>P</i>=.02). When multiple sources needed to be consulted to retrieve an information item, a reduced satisfaction rate was observed both among migraine and MS specialists (single source vs multiple sources <i>P</i>=.003). CONCLUSIONS This study provides a detailed description of real-life seeking behavior, educational needs, and information sources adopted by Italian MS and migraine neurologists. Neurologist information needs and seeking behavior reflect the specific characteristics of the specialty area in which they operate. These findings suggest identification of time- and context-specific needs of clinicians is required to design an effective medical information strategy.

scholarly journals Investigating the Use and Non-Use of Online Information Resources Among Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahraa Ahmad Abul ◽  
Abbas Alsalman
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cancer Stage ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Seeking Behavior

This research focuses on examining the use and non-use of information resources among cancer patients. Non-seekers’ information-seeking behavior is analyzed in this research to determine the causes and symptoms of their non-seeking of health knowledge. Cancer patients use a variety of information resources such as the Internet, social media, and medical databases, in order to satisfy their needs. Studies showed that patients’ knowledge of their cancer stage might help them in making their care and treatment choices. Focus groups are commonly used in health research to explore the perspectives of patients or health care professionals; relatively few studies consider methodological aspects in this specific context. The purpose of this research is to investigate the information needs of cancer patients, and to find out reasons for the lack of cancer stage knowledge and desire for information after diagnosis. Expected findings include personal, situational, and psychological reasons, such as: low health literacy, low usage of health information, health instructions and the ways to increase patient awareness of the benefits and ways of seeking information.

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