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Health information support provided by professional associations in Canada
Author(s) -
Chatterley Trish,
Storie Dale,
Chambers Thane,
Buckingham Jeanette,
Shiri Ali,
Dorgan Marlene
Publication year - 2012
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.1471-1842.2012.00993.x
Subject(s) - professional association , health care , information needs , information access , health information , public relations , access to information , health professionals , information system , knowledge management , business , medicine , political science , library science , computer science , law
Background Healthcare practitioners in A lberta and across C anada have varying levels of access to information resources depending on their institutional and professional affiliations, yet access to current health information is critical for all. Objectives To determine what information resources and services are provided by A lbertan and C anadian professional health associations to their members. Methods Representatives of professional colleges and associations were interviewed regarding information resources and services offered to members and perceptions of their members' information needs. Results National‐level associations are more likely to provide resources than provincial ones. There is a clear distinction between colleges and associations in terms of information offered: colleges provide regulatory information, while associations are responsible for provision of clinical information resources. Only half of the associations interviewed provide members with access to licensed databases, with cost being a major barrier. Conclusions There is considerable variation in the number of electronic resources and the levels of information support provided by professional health associations in A lberta and C anada. Access and usage vary among the health professions. National licensing of resources or creation of a portal linking to freely available alternatives are potential options for increasing access and awareness.