Archive |
Measuring Information Seeking Behavior of Clinicians after Access to HSL Online ResourcesIn the summer of 2001, UPMC Horizon contracted with HSLS for access to HSL Online resources <www.hsls.pitt.edu/resources>, our collection of electronic journals, books, databases and other knowledge-based information resources. Prior to the initiation of this service, the clinical staff at UPMC Horizon had little or no access to online information resources. At the same time, HSLS librarians began a project to measure the impact of this newly available access on the information-seeking behavior and practices of this population of clinicians. In the winter of 2001, a self-reflective survey was sent to 864 clinical staff at UPMC Horizon. The Surveys inquired how the staff locate and access relevant knowledge-based information to answer questions related to their teaching and patient care activities. The response rate to this baseline survey was 47 percent. One year later, a follow-up survey was sent to those who had returned the first survey, with a response rate of 55 percent. This survey asked the same questions as the first, and was used to measure the impact of access to HSL Online resources after one year. 
The results of the study reveal an increase in computer, Web and HSL Online use during this first year of access to online information resources. The graph indicates that 28 percent of the responding physicians at UPMC Horizon increased their computer use and 16 percent increased their Web use. A 19 percent increase in the use of HSL Online by physicians was also seen. The nursing staff also increased their computer use by 23 percent; their Web use by 28 percent, and 18 percent more nurses were using HSL Online. The results also indicate that more of the clinical staff is accessing HSL Online from their homes or offices. Their use of MEDLINE, via either Ovid or PubMed, has increased 52 percent during the first year of access to these online resources. Comments from the clinical staff indicate that they use the online library resources to locate answers to their clinical questions, provide information to their patients and find drug information. --Nancy Tannery |
