ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the network information behavior characteristics of medical staff for improving the information service of hospital libraries.Methods The network information behaviors of medical staff were analyzed in aspects of the flow rate on Website, the number of off-station linkages, the times of page visiting, the time preference of users information behaviors, browsers, and access devices according to the Web log processed by Piwik analysis software.Results The information behaviors of medical staff were frequent.Their major objective was to use the electronic resources.The information behaviors of medical staff were focused on their working time.Conclusion Hospital libraries should strengthen the construction of their Website contents, optimize their Website design, update their information and improve their information service according to the time preference of their users information behaviors.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Norwegian Electronic Health Library (The Library) is a website for health personnel. Most of the content is also open to the public. Usage statistics have risen sharply in the years 2010-2013. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to find out whether the rise was caused by health personnel, the general public, or other factors. METHODS: Since we lacked direct information, we had to use proxy data to shed light on our questions. We applied mixed methods (database of registered users, user survey, usage statistics, and statistics from suppliers), and triangulated between them. RESULTS: Health personnel were our largest user group, but The Library was also accessed by students, patients, and other groups. Content in Norwegian was preferred to English language content. Concise, practical information was preferred to more comprehensive information. Patient leaflets were the most popular information type. Mobile phone visits differed from personal computer visits both in terms of time of day and what kind of information was viewed. CONCLUSIONS: The Library was used mostly by health personnel, as intended, but our data are inconclusive regarding a possible change in user groups. There was a large degree of consistency in results when using different investigation methods. The survey points toward health personnel being the largest user group, and the usage statistics show that patient leaflets are the most popular content, being viewed by both health personnel and patients.
