Effective Information Provision Research Articles

2275 Enhancing delirium awareness among patients’ relatives: a quality improvement project in elderly care

Abstract Aim This Quality Improvement Project (QIP) addressed the pressing need for increased awareness of delirium among patients’ relatives. With a 26% rise in the elderly population in Cambridgeshire, surpassing the 18.6% national average, the project provides crucial information to enhance patients’ relatives access to information about delirium, a condition affecting up to 50% of older hospitalised patients. Method This prospective QIP was conducted across seven Cambridge University Hospital (CUH) geriatric wards. Qualitative surveys determined delirium awareness, understanding, interest and perception of information availability among patients’ relatives with delirium. Measurements included data on the views of online Trust delirium information. Interventions included designing a new eye-catching delirium information poster with a QR code linked to the Trust delirium information leaflet, strategically placing QR code-enabled posters in wards, awareness campaigns targeting healthcare professionals, liaison with the inpatient Dementia team, and targeted communication at Dementia and Delirium Champion training sessions for nursing and healthcare staff. Results Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, involving 13 relatives visiting these wards, showed a 16%, 10% and 20% respective increase in respondents’ awareness, understanding, and interest in delirium. There was a 29% increase in awareness of location of delirium information post intervention. After the interventions, views of the Trust delirium website increased by 132%. Cycles of the QIP highlighted the importance of laminated posters to comply with infection control measures and the need liaison with ward teams about strategic poster placement. Conclusion this QIP successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of QR code enabled access to patient/relative information and that a multi-faceted approach is required to facilitate effective information provision. We also demonstrated these measures increased delirium awareness in relatives. Future recommendations include continuous monitoring of the availability of posters within clinical areas, content evaluation, and work with the Dementia team to roll this out to all wards with older people within Trust.

The role of perceived quality of care on outpatient visits to health centers in two rural districts of northeast Ethiopia: a community-based, cross-sectional study

BackgroundPatients who have had a negative experience with the health care delivery bypass primary healthcare facilities and instead seek care in hospitals. There is a dearth of evidence on the role of users’ perceptions of the quality of care on outpatient visits to primary care facilities. This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived quality of care and the number of outpatient visits to nearby health centers.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two rural districts of northeast Ethiopia among 1081 randomly selected rural households that had visited the outpatient units of a nearby health center at least once in the previous 12 months. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire via an electronic data collection platform. A multivariable analysis was performed using zero-truncated negative binomial regression model to determine the association between variables. The degree of association was assessed using the incidence rate ratio, and statistical significance was determined at a 95% confidence interval.ResultsA typical household makes roughly four outpatient visits to a nearby health center, with an annual per capita visit of 0.99. The mean perceived quality of care was 6.28 on a scale of 0–10 (SD = 1.05). The multivariable analysis revealed that perceived quality of care is strongly associated with the number of outpatient visits (IRR = 1.257; 95% CI: 1.094 to 1.374). In particular, a significant association was found for the dimensions of provider communication (IRR = 1.052; 95% CI: 1.012, 1.095), information provision (IRR = 1.088; 95% CI: 1.058, 1.120), and access to care (IRR = 1.058, 95% CI: 1.026, 1.091).ConclusionsService users’ perceptions of the quality of care promote outpatient visits to primary healthcare facilities. Effective provider communication, information provision, and access to care quality dimensions are especially important in this regard. Concerted efforts are required to improve the quality of care that relies on service users’ perceptions, with a special emphasis on improving health care providers’ communication skills and removing facility-level access barriers.

Addressing barriers and identifying facilitators to support informed consent and recruitment in the Cavernous malformations A Randomised Effectiveness (CARE) pilot phase trial: insights from the integrated QuinteT recruitment intervention (QRI)

It was anticipated that recruitment to the Cavernous malformations: A Randomised Effectiveness (CARE) pilot randomised trial would be challenging. The trial compared medical management and surgery (neurosurgical resection or stereotactic radiosurgery) with medical management alone, for people with symptomatic cerebral cavernous malformation (ISRCTN41647111). Previous trials comparing surgical and medical management for intracranial vascular malformations failed to recruit to target. A QuinteT Recruitment Intervention was integrated during trial accrual, September 2021-April 2023 inclusive, to improve informed consent and recruitment. The QuinteT Recruitment Intervention combined iterative collection and analysis of quantitative data (28 trial site screening logs recording numbers/proportions screened, eligible, approached and randomised) and qualitative data (79 audio-recorded recruitment discussions, 19 interviews with healthcare professionals, 11 interviews with patients, 2 investigator workshops, and observations of study meetings, all subject to thematic, content or conversation analysis). We triangulated quantitative and qualitative data to identify barriers and facilitators to recruitment and how and why these arose. Working with the chief investigators and trial management group, we addressed barriers and facilitators with corresponding actions to improve informed consent and recruitment. Barriers identified included how usual care practices made equipoise challenging, multi-disciplinary teams sometimes overrode recruiter equipoise and logistical issues rendered symptomatic cavernoma diagnosis and assessment for stereotactic radiosurgery challenging. Facilitators identified included the preparedness of some neurosurgeons' to offer surgery to people otherwise offered medical management alone, multi-disciplinary team equipoise, and effective information provision presenting participation as a solution to equipoise regarding management. Actions, before and during recruitment, to improve inclusivity of site screening, approach and effectiveness of information provision resulted in 72 participants recruited following a 5-month extension, exceeding the target of 60 participants. QuinteT Recruitment Intervention insights revealed barriers and facilitators, enabling identification of remedial actions. Recruitment to a definitive trial would benefit from further training/support to encourage clinicians to be comfortable approaching patients to whom medical management is usually offered, and broadening the pool of neurosurgeons and multi-disciplinary team members prepared to offer surgery, particularly stereotactic radiosurgery. National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Social media commerce: an empirical study of platform, people and information from the trust transfer perspective

PurposeThis study aims to examine the mechanisms underlying social media commerce by investigating the interplay between platforms, people and information. Drawing upon trust transfer theory, the research model proposes that the platform’s information provision enhances the credibility of the information source, leading to increased information usefulness, adoption and sharing, ultimately influencing purchase intention.Design/methodology/approachThe research design used in this study was a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey method. The study developed a research model based on trust transfer theory and hypothesized relationships between the platform’s information provision, information source credibility, information-related responses and purchase intention. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the collected data and test the research hypotheses.FindingsThe findings supported most of the hypotheses and provided valuable insights into the role of information credibility in shaping consumers’ purchase intentions. Specifically, the study revealed that the platform’s information provision enhances the credibility of the information source, leading to increased information usefulness, adoption and sharing. Furthermore, information usefulness and adoption mediate the relationship between information source credibility and purchase intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this research include the use of convenience sampling, which may not represent the broader population, and the cross-sectional design, which does not provide an in-depth understanding of the adoption process. The reliance on self-reported data and the limited scope of investigation with only six constructs are additional limitations. Future studies should consider national random sampling, longitudinal designs, multiple data sources and explore negative effects and other potential mediating variables. Despite these limitations, this research contributes to the understanding of social media commerce mechanisms and provides valuable insights for practitioners in the field.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide valuable insights for platform providers and marketers in the social media commerce environment. First, the study emphasizes the importance of effective messaging in improving information credibility. Platform providers should focus on delivering accurate and trustworthy information to enhance consumers’ perceptions of product quality and increase purchase intentions. Second, marketers can leverage the information-related factors identified in this study, such as information usefulness and adoption, to optimize their marketing efforts. By understanding how consumers perceive and interact with information on social media platforms, marketers can tailor their strategies to effectively engage and influence potential customers. Overall, these practical implications can enhance success in the competitive social media commerce landscape.Social implicationsThe social implications of this study are significant for social media commerce practitioners. The findings highlight the importance of effective messaging and information provision on social media platforms in improving information credibility, thereby enhancing purchase intention. By understanding the mechanisms that drive consumer behavior in the context of social media commerce, platform providers and marketers can optimize their marketing efforts. This includes focusing on delivering trustworthy and useful information, fostering information adoption and sharing among users and ultimately increasing the likelihood of successful transactions. These insights provide valuable guidance for practitioners to navigate the competitive landscape of social media commerce and enhance their chances of success.Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in its application of trust transfer theory to investigate the mechanisms driving social media commerce. By examining the interplay between platform, people and information, the study specifically focuses on the role of the platform’s information provision in enhancing information credibility and its impact on information-related responses and purchase intentions. This study extends the understanding of the trust transfer mechanism between customers and sellers/brands in customer-to-customer social commerce by emphasizing the importance of effective messaging and information credibility in shaping consumer behavior. The empirical findings contribute to the understanding of information trust transfer and provide a unique perspective on the underlying mechanisms that drive social media commerce.

Impact of Information Provision on Decision-Making

Purpose: The general purpose of the study was to explore the impact of information provision on decision making.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to information provision on decision making. The study offered significant insights into how information provision impacts decision-making across various domains. Through comprehensive review and synthesis of empirical evidence, it emphasized the crucial role of information quality and accessibility in shaping decision outcomes. Tailoring information provision strategies to diverse stakeholders' needs was highlighted, alongside the bidirectional relationship between information processing and decision outcomes. Ethical considerations, such as transparency and privacy, were stressed to ensure equitable decision outcomes. The findings underscored the transformative potential of effective information provision, offering actionable insights for stakeholders. Interdisciplinary collaborations and evidence-based interventions were advocated for driving positive societal change.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Information Processing theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour and Social Exchange theory may be used to anchor future studies on information provision on decision making. The study offers comprehensive recommendations across theoretical, practical, and policy domains. It calls for further theoretical exploration into cognitive processes underlying decision-making and interdisciplinary collaboration. Practically, it advocates for tailored information provision interventions that match diverse decision contexts and user preferences, alongside transparent and accessible information dissemination practices. Policy-wise, the study urges evidence-based communication strategies, regulatory frameworks promoting transparency and accountability, and educational initiatives fostering information literacy. These recommendations aim to empower individuals, organizations, and policymakers to navigate information landscapes effectively, promote informed decision-making, and address information inequalities.
 Keywords: Information Provision, Decision-Making, Stakeholders, Ethical Considerations

Priorities for developing stroke care in Ireland from the perspectives of stroke survivors, family carers and professionals involved in stroke care: A mixed methods study.

Increasing numbers of people are living with stroke, due to population ageing and improved survival, leading to a need for evidence to inform future policy decision-making. This study aimed to engage with stakeholders in Ireland to identify priorities for stroke services development. A sequential mixed methods design was used. Phase 1 (qualitative) was exploratory, involving initial priority gathering via an online qualitative survey and interviews, with stroke survivors, family/main carers, and professionals working in stroke care. Framework analysis was used to generate a long-list of improvements to stroke services. Phase 2 involved a quantitative survey, where stakeholders selected five priority improvements from the long-list. Results were discussed in a stakeholder meeting. In-depth interviews were completed with 18 survivors, 13 carers and 8 professionals, while 80 professionals took part in a qualitative survey (phase 1). Priority areas of care were identified and a long-list of 45 priority improvements was generated. In phase 2, 34 survivors, 19 family carers and 42 professionals completed a survey. The highest priority improvements (selected by >20% of respondents) were access to specialist neuro-rehabilitation, ongoing support for life after stroke, recruitment/retention of specialist staff, improved information and support for health system navigation, and access to specialist acute care. Stroke survivors/carers prioritised exploring ways to improve access for strokes with atypical presentation, while professionals prioritised specialist inpatient rehabilitation and early supported discharge. Neither group prioritised stroke prevention. Based on discussions in the stakeholder meeting (n = 12), it was decided that support for mental health should also be included as a priority. The development of stroke services benefits from exploring the priorities of those receiving and delivering stroke care. Findings emphasise the need for equitable access to high quality adequately-staffed services, particularly post-discharge, that are easy to navigate, with good communication, and effective information provision.

Disentangling trust of patients with rare cancer in their healthcare professionals and the healthcare system: a qualitative interview study.

Patients with a rare cancer face challenges, e.g., delayed diagnosis, that may affect trust in the healthcare system and the healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved. This study aimed to explore trust of patients with a rare cancer in their HCPs and the healthcare system. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 purposively sampled patients with a rare cancer. The interview guide included topics related to trust, including level, development, barriers and facilitators, importance, and trust dimensions. Thematic analysis was conducted with use of Atlas.ti. The mean age of patients was 50years, 60% were female, and 70% were highly educated. Three themes were constructed: (1) "Confirmed expertise is a prerequisite of trust." Patients need confirmation of their HCPs' expertise, as it could not be assumed due to the rarity of their cancer; (2) "Trust depends on the adequacy of information and how it is provided." Limited information about rare cancer reduced patients' trust in health care, whereas interpersonal trust was mainly affected by how HCPs provided information; and (3) "Trust is built on properly coordinated and supportive care." Proper organization and cooperation within and between hospitals, and integration of supportive care, enhanced trust. Patients with a rare cancer experience challenges that influence trust in HCPs and the healthcare system. Further research should examine trust among subgroups of patients with a rare cancer, to enable development of tailored interventions. HCPs may improve trust by focusing on expertise, effective information provision, proper coordination of care, and provision of adequate supportive care.

Determination of library staff skills to enhance visibility of intellectual output in Nigerian universities

PurposeUniversity intellectual output such as theses and dissertations are valuable resources containing rigorous research results. Library staff who are key players in promoting intellectual output through institutional repositories require skills to promote content visibility, create wider outreach and facilitate easy access and use of these resources. This study aims to determine the skills of library staff to enhance the visibility of intellectual output in federal university libraries in southeast Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA survey research design was adopted for the study. The questionnaire was used to obtain responses from library staff on the extent of computer skills and their abilities for digital conversion, metadata creation and preservation of digital content.FindingsLibrary staff at the university libraries had high skills in basic computer operations. They had moderate skills in digital conversion, preservation and storage. However, they had low skills in metadata creation.Practical implicationsThe study has implications for addressing the digital skills and professional expertise of library staff, especially as it concerns metadata creation, digital conversion, preservation and storage. It also has implications for the university management to prioritize the training of their library staff in other to increase the visibility of indigenous resources and university Web ranking.Originality/valueThis study serves as a lens to identify library staff skill gaps in many critical areas that require expertise and stimulate conscious effort toward developing adequate skills for effective digital information provision. It sheds light on the challenges that many Nigerian university libraries face in their pursuit of global visibility and university Web ranking.

Qualitative Exploration Study of Perceptions of Women and Nurse-Midwives on Antenatal Care Information and Communication in Tanzania.

Antenatal health information enables pregnant women to make informed choices for their health during pregnancy and childbirth. Worldwide, evidence shows inadequate coverage of the information provided to women during antenatal care visits. Interaction between women and providers is important to ensure effective information exchange. This study aimed to explore women's and nurse midwives' perceptions of their interactions and the information they shared about care during pregnancy and childbirth in Tanzania. Formative explorative research using in-depth interviews was conducted with eleven Kiswahili-speaking women who had normal pregnancies and had more than three antenatal contacts. Also, five nurse-midwives who worked in the ANC clinic for a year or more were included in the study. A thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology guided the analysis of data that was informed by the WHO quality of care framework. Two major themes emerged from the data, enhancing communication and respectful delivery of ANC information and receiving information about pregnancy care and safe childbirth. We found that women felt free to communicate and interact with midwives. Some women feared interacting with midwives and other midwives were difficult to approach. All women acknowledge receiving antenatal care information. However, not all women reported receiving all ANC information as per national and international guidelines. Inadequate staffing and time were the reasons for poor prenatal care information delivery. Women did not report most of the information provided during ANC contacts as per the national ANC guidelines. The inadequate number of nurse-midwives, increased number of clients, and insufficient time were reported to contribute to inadequate provision of information during antenatal care. Strategies for effective provision of information during antenatal contacts should be considered including using group antenatal care and information communication technology. Further, nurse-midwives should be sufficiently deployed and motivated.

Innovative technologies as a factor in the development of the activities of the national scientific agricultural library of the national academy of agrarian sciences

The article is devoted to the currently relevant topic of the influence of innovative technologies on the activities of library institutions. It was determined that the combination of the traditional culture of communication with books and new modern information technologies in the libraries makes it possible to present information quickly, topically, and vividly. Since the user service was, is and remains the main criterion for evaluating the performance of libraries. Among the main technological innovations, it is worth noting remote access to library resources by a wide range of Internet users. Library pages on social networks provide information about the mode of operation, address, link to the website, and information about library activities. The main directions of the digital library, the advantages of using an automated library information system, the principles of creating digital resources are highlighted. The importance of the further creation of the National Electronic Library of Ukraine was determined, considering the Russian-Ukrainian war. The protection of the cultural heritage of the state in terms of documentary heritage, which is located in memory institutions throughout Ukraine (libraries, archives, museums, etc.) is carried out through its digitization and the creation of a reliable system of preservation and access to digital copies of objects. One of the problems related to the creation of the National Electronic Library of Ukraine – the automated library information system (ALIS) – has been identified, since libraries have different systems. It is worth emphasizing that the National Scientific Agricultural Library of the NAAS is also actively creating a digital library, digitizing, first, especially valuable and unique documents that are classified as national property. Among the main strategic directions of the library’s work is the introduction of modern information technologies. They provide effective provision of information and library services that influence the training of professionals and the quality of educational and research processes in all spheres of society. Considering the generalization of the important role of the concept of open access in the creation of the information industry space, it is worth noting that open access is not something new, but now this form is opening itself at a new level – it is a new round in serving modern users. It is through the digital information resource that libraries become more accessible because the freedom and simplicity of independent search and selection of information is provided.

Characteristics of Age-Friendly Bus Information

Bus information is an important element to consider when developing and implementing age-friendly bus systems. Little is known regarding the bus information needs and preferences of older people. This study aims to illuminate characteristics of age-friendly bus information. Participant observations with stimulated recall interviews (n=40) were used to identify older peoples’ (age 60 and over) perspectives on bus information. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. A printed information location checklist also was conducted. Categorical analysis identified that older people used a variety of information sources including printed information, telephone, Internet, bus drivers, word of mouth, and experience. Positive and negative characteristics of each source were identified. Older people also required a range of levels of information complexity. Popular locations for sourcing printed information included post offices, news agents, tourist information centers, and libraries. Transport providers and policy makers should consider the needs and preferences of older people when providing bus information. Effective information provision requires a range of media, covering a broad spectrum of information complexity and through a variety of locations.

Carers’ needs assessment for patients with dementia in Ghana

BackgroundCarers of people with dementia (PWD) face a myriad of challenges. As dementia prevalence surges in the sub-Saharan population, the provision of data on the met and unmet needs of caregivers has become paramount.AimThis study aimed to identify the needs of carers of older adults living with dementia in Ghana.SettingThis study was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana, among participants ≥ 18 years old, serving as carers for PWD.MethodsThis was a multicentre cross-sectional study involving carers of patients (≥ 50 years) with dementia. The authors administered the Carer’s Needs Assessment for Dementia (CNA-D) questionnaire, containing 18 problem areas with interventions for each problem area. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to establish a relationship between demographic characteristics, problem areas and intervention score.ResultsFifty participants were recruited with a mean age of 48.8 (± 16.9) years, 72.0% were female participants and 98.0% were family members of PWD. The problem area most frequently identified as no/mild problem was ‘legal issues’ (92.0%, n = 46), and ‘lack of information about dementia’ was assessed as severe (48.0%, n = 24). The commonest unmet need was ‘printed information material’ (84.0%, n = 42), and the commonest met need was ‘diagnosis and treatment of carer by a general practitioner’ (42.0%, n = 21). There was a statistically negative correlation between age of carer and number of unmet needs (r = −0.308, p = 0.011) and a positive correlation between problem area score and number of unmet needs (r = 0.308, p = 0.030).ConclusionEffective public education and provision of information on dementia to carers are essential interventions needed to equip them in performing their roles.ContributionCarers in this study revealed that they lacked information on dementia but their commonest met need was accessibility to their general practitioner. This highlights the importance of promoting knowledge and awareness of dementia among primary care practitioners.

A Framework for Evaluating Dashboards in Healthcare.

In the era of 'information overload', effective information provision is essential for enabling rapid response and critical decision making. In making sense of diverse information sources, dashboards have become an indispensable tool, providing fast, effective, adaptable, and personalized access to information for professionals and the general public alike. However, these objectives place heavy requirements on dashboards as information systems in usability and effective design. Understanding these issues is challenging given the absence of consistent and comprehensive approaches to dashboard evaluation. In this article we systematically review literature on dashboard implementation in healthcare, where dashboards have been employed widely, and where there is widespread interest for improving the current state of the art, and subsequently analyse approaches taken towards evaluation. We draw upon consolidated dashboard literature and our own observations to introduce a general definition of dashboards which is more relevant to current trends, together with seven evaluation scenarios - task performance, behaviour change, interaction workflow, perceived engagement, potential utility, algorithm performance and system implementation. These scenarios distinguish different evaluation purposes which we illustrate through measurements, example studies, and common challenges in evaluation study design. We provide a breakdown of each evaluation scenario, and highlight some of the more subtle questions. We demonstrate the use of the proposed framework by a design study guided by this framework. We conclude by comparing this framework with existing literature, outlining a number of active discussion points and a set of dashboard evaluation best practices for the academic, clinical and software development communities alike.

Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions towards Agricultural Credit in Tanzania

Agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in the Tanzanian economy in such a way that it qualifies as the major trigger of sustainable and robust growth of the country’s economy. Though agriculture in Tanzania is largely under small scale, smallholder farmers earn little income and therefore demand credit necessary to initiate farming and adopt new technology. Hence, demand for agricultural credit is the willingness and ability of farmers to access existing sources of funds to meet farm investment needs. This study therefore aimed at assessing the smallholder farmers’ perceptions towards agricultural credit in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania. Rational choice theory was used in this study and given priority due to its importance in explaining the access of financial services as attributes of the individual heavily influence credit demand by smallholder farmers. A multi-stage sampling technique involving purposive sampling of 10 wards out of 29 wards based on their potential in crop production and presence of credit services was adopted, followed by a simple random sample of 300 smallholder farmers randomly chosen from the selected wards. The primary data were collected using questionnaire, interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and observation from the 300 sampled farm households in the study area while secondary data were obtained through documentary book reviews, ward office reports, online internet materials and journal articles. Findings show that, smallholder farmers’ attitude towards risk associated with agricultural credit were highly perceived by the majority of them. Also, results showed that inaccessibility of credit information, lack of education, bureaucratic procedures (i.e., lending procedures) and high repayment rate i.e., price of loan were perceived to be the main challenges that affected smallholder farmers’ decisions to demand and access agricultural credit from MFIs (Microfinance Institutions). Therefore, the perception of smallholder farmers that the application procedures are cumbersome and take a long time for the applicant to get a feedback, is having a negative influence on the probability of their demand for credit from MFIs. The study recommends education provision to smallholder farmers on agricultural credit use and improved market information systems. Also, credit institution should ensure effective provision of information on agricultural credit to boost their credit services to smallholder farmers.

Problems of management risks of informative providing of realization of innovations

The work investigated the problems of risk management of information support for implementing innovations. Under current, highly dynamic operating conditions, any processes (including business processes) are inseparable from risk. It is inherent in all branches of market activity. Risks cannot be ignored. It is advisable to use anticipatory (preventive) measures to prevent them, reduce their level, or compensate depending on the types of risks, circumstances of their occurrence, level, etc. Ensuring the sustainable development of domestic enterprises under the current conditions of instability and crisis in Ukraine is significantly complicated by significant risk factors. An important condition for effective information provision in implementing innovative projects is the ability to turn uncertainty into risk and its subsequent management. Information support for implementing innovations (implementation of innovative projects) is characterized by a high level of risk. The paper analyzes the risk structure of the stakeholders of the innovative project. The proposed process of step-by-step risk management of the information support of the enterprise's innovative activities. The proposed risk management system of information support for implementing innovations by enterprises consists of applying key (main) functions. A functional approach to the risk management process of information support for implementing innovations will involve the planning and organization of this activity, as well as further control and, in the event of deviation from the plan, regulation (adjustment). For the effective implementation of innovative projects, domestic enterprises need to investigate and manage the risks of information provision of this activity at each stage. Improvement, development of information provision of innovative projects, and formation of the risk management system of this activity will help save time for all participants, increase efficiency and accuracy, and reduce uncertainty.

The unique information and communication needs of men affected by prostate cancer: A qualitative study of men's experience.

The objective of this study is to explore the specific information and communication needs of men affected by prostate cancer to inform the development of educational materials for clinicians. This is a qualitative descriptive study. A purposive sampling strategy was used to identify men at different cancer stages and with experience of different treatment regimens. Semistructured interviews (25) were conducted with 19 men and six carers over the phone. Interview data were analysed using a framework approach. Four themes emerged: gaps in the information provided by secondary care doctors and nurses, communication skills needed in effective clinical information provision, a need for individualised information and alternative information sources used to meet unmet needs. Regardless of cancer stage and treatment, men with prostate cancer and their carers found information regarding common and burdensome adverse effects of prostate cancer treatment particularly lacking, and their ongoing and changing information needs often overlooked. They needed information delivered in a compassionate and individually tailored manner, considering content, timing and emotional support within the context of their unique life circumstances. Clinicians often fail to recognise the need for or deliver patient-centred conversations about treatment, managing side effects and prognosis. The findings will be used to develop clinician-facing educational materials.

How Do Workers Perceive the Risks from Automation and the Opportunities to Retrain? Evidence from a Survey of Truck Drivers

How do truck drivers perceive the risk they face from automation and their opportunities to retrain for employment in a different occupation? Autonomous vehicle (AV) technology has made rapid progress in recent years, so these questions are likely salient to truckers. Based on surveys of the new RAND American Truck Driver Panel, we find that those drivers who are most concerned about automation are, counterintuitively, also most likely to say they intend to re-invest in driving by seeking additional endorsements or purchasing their own truck. This zero-sum arms race for remaining positions is socially inefficient, and it may be driven by incorrect information about outside options. Specifically, the effect disappears among those drivers who are most familiar with the generally low costs of community college. We show that this is consistent with a simple model in which idiosyncratic noise in the perceived cost of retraining can lead to inefficient outcomes. This mechanism suggests that effective information provision can have large positive externalities and welfare consequences. However, a calibration of labor market prospects suggests that information provision about the true costs of retraining may not be adequate to induce occupational switching if truckers believe wages for survivors will continue to grow. This points to another important role for perceptions about the future, and for a policy of information interventions.

Factors Determining Farmers’ Access to and Sources of Credit: Evidence from the Rain-Fed Zone of Pakistan

This study investigates the factors that affect farmers’ access to agricultural credit and its role in adopting improved agricultural technologies in the rain-fed zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Using logistic models, we assess and compare the relative role of farmers’ socioeconomic attributes in their access to credit and adoption strategies. The results indicate a moderate positive association between farmers’ access to agricultural credit and their adoption of improved agricultural technologies. The binary logit model’s results indicate that farmers with a large-sized farm, high farm income, better access to information, and large physical asset ownership showed a positive influence on credit access. However, farming experience showed a negative effect on farmers’ access to agricultural credit. Regarding farmers’ credit sources, this study found that asset-rich farmers with more farming experience and better access to information relied more on banks than on input providers and informal credit sources. Similarly, older farmers with more education, larger farm sizes and high farm income were more likely to have borrowed from input providers than banks. We conclude that the role of the effective provision of information on credit and agricultural technology is imperative and requires separate policies that are specifically aimed at different groups of farmers with different socioeconomic and farm-related characteristics.

Public Library as a Source of Business Information for Small-Scale Business Enterprises in Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study investigated public library as a source of business information for small-scale business enterprises in Nigeria. Six states in the Southwest region of Nigeria were used for the study, while purposive sampling was used to select forty small-scale businesses from each of the states, which brought the population of the study to 240. As a survey research, a questionnaire was used for data collection. The findings of the study revealed that information on sources of business funding was the major information need of small-scale businesses, while books were the most available information sources in the public library. Based on the findings, the study recommends among others, that government should provide more funding to support small-scale businesses; and that public libraries should acquire more information sources particularly those on sources of business funding, to complement available ones. The study contributes to literature and its empirical data will be useful to policymakers on how to reposition public libraries for effective provision of business information to small-scale business people.

System of scientific and information support of agricultural complex of Ukraine

The article analyzes the current state of information resources formed at different levels of government. The characteristics of the national system of scientific and technical information on agriculture are presented. It is stated that the main users of scientific and technical information in the field of agriculture are the following three categories, selected according to the nature of activity: scientists; commodity producers; executives, managers. Features of their information support are given. It is noted that among the sectoral information systems, information systems play an important role in the development of the agro-industrial complex of the country: the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine and the systems of their subordinate organizations and institutions, as well as agricultural libraries, advisory services, UkrINTEI, State Enterprise "Ukrainian Research and Training Center for Standardization, Certification and Quality", the State Statistics Committee, industry associations, information portals and others. Together, they form an integrated information system. Effective and high-quality provision of information needs of agricultural specialists is impossible without the information resources, which are traditionally handled by the agricultural libraries headed by the National Scientific Agricultural Library (NSAL) of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The main priority of the latter is the disclosure and presentation of existing documents, as well as access to a wide range of physical and virtual users. In this direction, the active creation of its own electronic database "online catalog Ukragroteka" is active, with a total volume of more than 550 thousand records, of which 52 thousand — full-text publications. The tasks for the creation of the national agricultural bibliography, presented by 13 biobibliographic series, are successfully implemented. Since 1999 the systematic quarterly abstract journal "Agroindustrial Complex of Ukraine" has been published quarterly.