Abstract
BackgroundThe intention of the Government of Tanzania is to establish more health information resource canters in all health facilities. With this regard, health information science personnel are needed to provide adequate and accurate health information services. However, availability of these personnel remains to be a challenge because of their non-existence. ObjectiveTo identify the current status and local impact of health sciences libraries and user perception of these libraries, as a prerequisite to the development of a competence-based curriculum for health information science training in Tanzania. MethodsA needs assessment was carried out using a convenience sample of local respondents, including librarians, trainers, academicians, students, health care providers, and patients and families, drawn from national, referral, regional, district hospitals, health training institutions, and universities from both government and nongovernment entities in Tanzania. A focus group approach was used to gather data from respondents. ResultsResults from this assessment revealed that health science libraries in Tanzania are faced with the challenges of insufficient infrastructure, old technology, limited facilities and furniture, inadequate and incompetent library staff, lack of health sciences librarians, outdated and insufficient resources, and low knowledge and use of information technologies by library clients. Most respondents would prefer to have both physical and electronic libraries, as well as librarians with specialized health information science skills, to cope with changing nature of the medical field. ConclusionsThe findings obtained from this assessment are strong enough to guide the development of a curriculum and training strategy and an operational plan and training packages for health information professionals. The development of a training curriculum for health information science professionals will mean better health information service delivery for Tanzania.
Highlights
The nation of Tanzania has begun implementing health sector reforms to improve equitable access to health information and to improve the quality of information received by all user communities
Information specialists need to become more effective and efficient in the provision of health information services to their users, by acquiring the relevant information necessary to the health professionals and providing that information in a costeffective and efficient manner that will enhance the provision of high-quality health services in Tanzania
The focus group discussion was guided with developed and structured protocol aimed at discussing the following research objectives: RO1: To assess current health information practices of potential clients in health sciences libraries
Summary
The nation of Tanzania has begun implementing health sector reforms to improve equitable access to health information and to improve the quality of information received by all user communities. Government of Tanzania is to establish more health information resource canters in all health facilities. With this regard, health information science personnel are needed to provide adequate and accurate health information services. Health information science personnel are needed to provide adequate and accurate health information services Availability of these personnel remains to be a challenge because of their non-existence. METHODSA needs assessment was carried out using a convenience sample of local respondents, including librarians, trainers, academicians, students, health care providers, and patients and families, drawn from national, referral, regional, district hospitals, health training institutions, and universities from both government and nongovernment entities in Tanzania. A focus group approach was used to gather data from respondents
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