Use Of Health Information Resources Research Articles

Connection Between Knowing and Doing? A Mixed Methods Exploration of Librarian Wellness Behaviors

ABSTRACT The authors examined the relationship between access to or use of health information resources by health sciences librarians (HSLs) and non-HSLs. We wanted to know if, compared to non-HSLs, increased access to and use of health information by HSLs was associated with more frequent performance of wellness behaviors. : A survey containing questions about access to health information resources, the use of health information resources, the frequency of the performance of wellness behaviors and barriers and facilitators to performing these behaviors was sent via e-mail to members of over 60 library organizations. A total of 1913 librarians responded to the survey. We found no difference between the HSLs and the non-HSLs by age or sex but HSLs were more likely to have master’s degrees or higher, work more hours, and to work in institutions that provide access to vaccines and/or wellness programs. HSLs have greater access to and use quality health information resources more often than do non-HSLs. Compared to non-HSLs, HSLs exercise more and eat more fruits and vegetables. Non-HSLs, however, are more likely to engage in regular spiritual activities. Barriers to performing wellness behaviors included lack of time, lack of motivation, fatigue, and chronic pain whereas facilitators included positive social support for wellness behaviors. Our data show that access to health information and frequency of use is correlated with the performance of wellness behaviors. While access to health information can work to nudge people to engage in healthy habits, information by itself is not enough.

Examining the role of MEDLINE as a patient care information resource: an analysis of data from the Value of Libraries study

Objective:This study analyzed data from a study on the value of libraries to understand the specific role that the MEDLINE database plays in relation to other information resources that are available to health care providers and its role in positively impacting patient care.Methods:A previous study on the use of health information resources for patient care obtained 16,122 responses from health care providers in 56 hospitals about how providers make decisions affecting patient care and the role of information resources in that process. Respondents indicated resources used in answering a specific clinical question from a list of 19 possible resources, including MEDLINE. Study data were examined using descriptive statistics and regression analysis to determine the number of information resources used and how they were used in combination with one another.Results:Health care professionals used 3.5 resources, on average, to aid in patient care. The 2 most frequently used resources were journals (print and online) and the MEDLINE database. Using a higher number of information resources was significantly associated with a higher probability of making changes to patient care and avoiding adverse events. MEDLINE was the most likely to be among consulted resources compared to any other information resource other than journals.Conclusions:MEDLINE is a critical clinical care tool that health care professionals use to avoid adverse events, make changes to patient care, and answer clinical questions.

The relationship of race to women's use of health information resources

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine, among the general public, the independent effect of race on women's use of health information resources. Study design: A population-based random-digit dialing survey of adult women, aged 18 to 64 years, was conducted between October 1999 and January 2000. Subjects included 509 women (341 white women, 135 black women, and 33 women of other races). The response rate was 66%. The main outcome variable was the use of health information resources (print health or news media, broadcast media, computer resources [Internet], health organizations, organized health events). Logistic regression was used to determine the independent effect of race/ethnicity on the use of different information resources, with an adjustment for age, income, education, and marital status. Results: After the adjustment for socioeconomic factors, black women had <50% odds of using print news media (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.4-0.8), <60% odds of using computer-based resources (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.6), and <70% odds of using health policy organizations (odds ratio, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7), compared with white women. Conclusion: There is a large racial disparity in women's use of health information resources. Traditional sources that are used to provide patient information may not be effective in certain populations. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:580-5.)