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Use of libraries and electronic information resources by primary care staff: outcomes from a survey
Author(s) -
Doney Liz,
Barlow Helen,
West Joe
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
health information and libraries journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1471-1842
pISSN - 1471-1834
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2005.00561.x
Subject(s) - primary care , medline , computer science , knowledge management , world wide web , data science , library science , medicine , family medicine , political science , law
Objectives: To assess the use of existing libraries; usage of the Internet and biomedical databases; and need for training on use of the Internet and biomedical databases for primary care staff. Methods: A postal survey of general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses (PNs) and practice managers (PMs) in Nottingham and Rotherham, UK. Results: Overall, 243 questionnaires were used. The response rate in Nottingham was 24%, in Rotherham it was 34%. Reported use of libraries was low (30%), with PNs reporting significantly higher usage (65%) than others ( P < 0.01). Most respondents reported using the Internet (81%), but fewer (44%) reported using databases. GPs and PNs were significantly more likely to report using databases than PMs ( P < 0.01). Lack of training was the most reported barrier to using the Internet (67%) and databases (52%). Overall, 52% of respondents reported wanting Internet training, 64% wanted database training. The percentages requesting training on databases were high among GPs and PNs, but significantly lower for PMs ( P = 0.02). Conclusions: There are differences in the usage of libraries and electronic resources among the primary care team, and in reported training needs. While the reported levels of usage of the Internet and biomedical databases are encouraging, our study identified a training need. If met, this could increase usage further.