ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The research sought to provide evidence to support the development of a long-term strategy for the Via Christi Regional Medical Center Libraries. METHODS: An information needs assessment was conducted in a large medical center serving approximately 5,900 physicians, clinicians, and nonclinical staff in 4 sites in 1 Midwestern city. Quantitative and qualitative data from 1,295 self-reporting surveys, 75 telephone interviews, and 2 focus groups were collected and analyzed to address 2 questions: how could the libraries best serve their patrons, given realistic limitations on time, resources, and personnel, and how could the libraries best help their institution improve patient care and outcomes? RESULTS: Clinicians emphasized the need for "just in time" information accessible at the point of care. Library nonusers emphasized the need to market library services and resources. Both clinical and nonclinical respondents emphasized the need for information services customized to their professional information needs, preferences, and patterns of use. Specific information needs in the organization were identified. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: The results of this three-part, user-centered information needs assessment were used to develop an evidence-based strategic plan. The findings confirmed the importance of promoting library services in the organization and suggested expanded, collaborative roles for hospital librarians.
Subject(s)
Information Storage and Retrieval , Internet , Libraries, Hospital/organization & administration , Library Services/statistics & numerical data , Needs Assessment , Attitude of Health Personnel , Data Collection/methods , Focus Groups , Humans , Information Storage and Retrieval/methods , Internet/statistics & numerical data , Interviews as Topic , Librarians , Libraries, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Library Services/organization & administration , Point-of-Care Systems , Professional Role , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The author reports key findings from a doctoral dissertation investigating what the curbside consultation is, how and why physicians use it, and what the implications for health sciences library services might be. SETTINGS/INFORMANTS: Primary informants included sixteen primary care physicians at six sites in one Midwestern state. Additional informants included twenty-eight specialists and subspecialists identified by the primary informants as colleagues who provided curbside consultations. METHODS: Qualitative research methods were used, including field observations, formal and informal interviews, and conversations with peer review physicians. RESULTS: Despite a lack of consensus about what constitutes a "good" curbside consultation, physician informants reported that curbside consultations were part of their medical education and that they continued to take part in them for a number of reasons. Tacit rules govern curbside consultation interactions, and negative consequences result when the rules are misunderstood or not observed. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Acknowledging and understanding physicians' use of the curbside consultation to obtain and construct knowledge may suggest new ways for health sciences librarians to work with physicians in locating, diffusing, and disseminating clinical information.
