scholarly journals Survey of the Information-Seeking Behaviour of Hospital Professionals at a Public Cancer Hospital in Greece Proves the Value of Hospital Libraries

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
Antonio DeRosa
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Information Services ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Cancer Hospital ◽  
The Impact

Objective – To study the information-seeking practices of hospital staff and weigh the impact of hospital libraries on effective information-seeking. Design – Survey questionnaire. Setting – Large public cancer hospital in Greece. Subjects – The authors surveyed 49 physicians, 43 nursing staff members, 25 administrative staff members, 23 paramedical staff members, and 5 technical staff members, totaling 145 health professionals. Methods – Participants were given a questionnaire comprised of five parts: general information (including gender, age, education, position, and professional experience); questions on computer and Internet accessibility; questions regarding individual information needs; questions on information-seeking obstacles; and a question regarding the satisfaction with the current degree of information availability in the hospital. The last question was ranked using a 5-point Likert scale. Each questionnaire was distributed with a cover letter explaining the anonymity and consent of the respondent. Hospital members were randomly selected using a number generator and respondents returned completed surveys to the hospital personnel office in a sealed envelope within a specified time frame. The sampled group was representative of the overall population of the hospital. Main Results – The authors discuss demographic data of respondents: 65.7% were women; 56.7% were over 40 years old; 29.0% were graduates of higher technological institutes; 28.3% were university graduates; 9.7% held a postgraduate degree; 8.3% had a PhD; and 1.4% had only secondary education. As for the remainder of the survey questions: 64% of respondents had access to the Internet both at home and at work, while only 8.2% had no access to the Internet at all; most respondents noted using the Internet for seeking scientific information (83.0%) and e-mail communication (65.3%); the main obstacle respondents noted experiencing when seeking information was the lack of time (3.7 score on Likert scale). A lack of information services was second to the time issue with a Likert scale score of 3.6. Conclusion – Based on the research results, the authors affirmed the invaluable role of hospital libraries. The hospital library can help to eliminate the obstacles faced by healthcare professionals by providing support in the areas of weakness based on the survey results. This can be made possible through the hospital library’s involvement in educational activities, investigation of information technologies, and development of information services to accommodate the difficulties regularly experienced by hospital staff. Researchers revealed that funding for hospital libraries in Greece is an issue preventing many new initiatives, that there is no association to represent hospital libraries in Greece, that the few libraries operating in hospitals in Greece are understaffed with no administrative control, and the majority of Greek hospitals do not have adequate library facilities. These drawbacks contribute to the information-seeking challenges experienced by Greek healthcare professionals.

The Impact of a Highly Publicized Celebrity Suicide on Suicide-Related Online Information Seeking

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Arendt ◽  
Sebastian Scherr
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Search Queries ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Celebrity Suicide ◽  
Online Information Seeking ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Background: Research has already acknowledged the importance of the Internet in suicide prevention as search engines such as Google are increasingly used in seeking both helpful and harmful suicide-related information. Aims: We aimed to assess the impact of a highly publicized suicide by a Hollywood actor on suicide-related online information seeking. Method: We tested the impact of the highly publicized suicide of Robin Williams on volumes of suicide-related search queries. Results: Both harmful and helpful search terms increased immediately after the actor's suicide, with a substantial jump of harmful queries. Limitations: The study has limitations (e.g., possible validity threats of the query share measure, use of ambiguous search terms). Conclusion: Online suicide prevention efforts should try to increase online users' awareness of and motivation to seek help, for which Google's own helpline box could play an even more crucial role in the future.

scholarly journals Cancer patients’ information seeking behavior related to online electronic healthcare records

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 146045822110247
Author(s):  
Hanife Rexhepi ◽  
Isto Huvila ◽  
Rose-Mharie Åhlfeldt ◽  
Åsa Cajander
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Information Horizons ◽  
Health Information Sources

Patients’ online access to their EHR together with the rapid proliferation of medical information on the Internet has changed how patients use information to learn about their health. Patients’ tendency to turn to the Internet to find information about their health and care is well-documented. However, little is known about patients’ information seeking behavior when using online EHRs. By using information horizons as an analytical tool this paper aims to investigate the information behavior of cancer patients who have chosen to view their EHRs (readers) and to those who have not made that option (non-readers). Thirty interviews were conducted with patients. Based on information horizons, it seems that non-reading is associated with living in a narrower information world in comparison to readers. The findings do not suggest that the smallness would be a result of active avoidance of information, or that it would be counterproductive for the patients. The findings suggest, however, that EHRs would benefit from comprehensive linking to authoritative health information sources to help users to understand their contents. In parallel, healthcare professionals should be more aware of their personal role as a key source of health information to those who choose not to read their EHRs.

Interface Trends in Human Interaction, the Internet of Things, and Big Data

2018 ◽  
pp. 4210-4222
Author(s):  
William J. Gibbs
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Television News ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Media Convergence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Internet Of Things

In this chapter, I examine trends in today's news-orientated interfaces and the impact of digital interfaces on news consumption. Digital interfaces will be differentiated from traditional informational sources such as newspapers and television news. Additionally, I will explore several major characteristics or trends germane to today's news interfaces and their implications for how people consume news and, more generally, for how they transform information services: a) rapid innovation, b) interactivity, c) social, d) standardization, e) scale, f) media convergence and, g) the Internet of Things and Big Data.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health: The Role of Locus on Control and Internet Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 6985
Author(s):  
Rannveig Sigurvinsdottir ◽  
Ingibjorg E. Thorisdottir ◽  
Haukur Freyr Gylfason
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
The Impact

The true extent of the mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are unclear, but early evidence suggests poorer mental health among those exposed to the pandemic. The Internet may have differential effects, by both connecting people with resources, or reinforce the constant checking of negative information. Moreover, locus of control becomes important in an uncontrollable pandemic. The current study aimed to examine whether exposure to COVID-19 would relate to greater symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and to examine the role of internet use and locus of control. Adults in the United States and five European countries (N = 1723) answered an online survey through the website Mturk. Results show elevated psychological symptoms among those who have become infected with COVID-19 or perceive themselves to be at high risk if infected. Experience using the Internet relates to fewer symptoms, but information seeking is associated with more symptoms. Internet social capital relates to fewer symptoms of depression. Having an external locus of control relates to greater symptoms. These findings suggest that public health officials need to focus on the mental health effects of the pandemic, and that internet use and locus of control could be targets to improve mental health in the population.

scholarly journals ‘Unpacking’ pathways to lymphoma and myeloma diagnosis: Do experiences align with the Model of Pathways to Treatment? Findings from a UK qualitative study with patients and relatives

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e034244
Author(s):  
Debra Howell ◽  
Ruth Hart ◽  
Alexandra Smith ◽  
Una Macleod ◽  
Russell Patmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Diagnostic Delay ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Linear Sequence ◽  
Time To Diagnosis ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesTo explore alignment of experiences before lymphoma and myeloma diagnosis with the appraisal, help seeking and diagnostic intervals in the Model of Pathways to Treatment (MPT).DesignA qualitative study using in-depth semistructured interviews with patients and relatives. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, anonymised and analysed using qualitative description.SettingA UK population-based haematological malignancy patient cohort.ParticipantsFifty-five patients (35 lymphoma, 20 myeloma: diagnosed 2014–2016) and 28 relatives participated, within around a year of the patient’s diagnosis. Patients were selected from those in the cohort who had returned a questionnaire about their symptoms and help seeking, and consented to contact for further research. Sampling was purposive, to achieve maximum variation in age, sex and time to diagnosis.ResultsParticipants described time from symptom onset to diagnosis as ranging from several weeks to years. Pathways largely aligned with MPT components and help seeking could lead to the rapid investigations and identification of abnormalities. However, symptoms could be vague and/or inadvertently interpreted as other conditions, which if perpetuated, could cause diagnostic delay. The latter was associated with chaotic pathways, with activities rarely occurring only once or in a linear sequence. Rather, intermittent or ongoing processes were described, moving forward and backwards through intervals. This is ‘unpacked’ within five themes: (1) appraisal and reappraisal; (2) patient-initiated self-management/treatment; (3) initial help seeking; (4) re-presentation; and (5) patient-initiated actions, decisions and emotions during re-presentation. Within these themes, various healthcare professionals were consulted, often many times, as symptoms persisted/progressed. Input from family/friends was described as substantial, as was the extent to which information seeking occurred.ConclusionLymphoma and myeloma pathways align with the MPT, but do not fully capture the repetition and complexity described by participants. Time to diagnosis was often prolonged, despite the best efforts of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals. The impact of National Health Service England’s Multi-diagnostic Disciplinary Centres on time to haematological cancer diagnosis remains to be seen.

Psychiatric hospital staff knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS, and the impact of an in-house education seminar

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronan J McIvor ◽  
Rory K Shelley
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Hospital ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Aids Education ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Education Seminar ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

AbstractA self-administered questionnaire assessing general knowledge about AIDS, including modes of transmission, methods of prevention and attitudes to the disease, was completed by staff in a psychiatric hospital after an AIDS education seminar. The data were used to assess staff knowledge of and attitudes to AIDS, and to assess the usefulness of the seminar in changing these. Responses to individual questionnaire items were examined for associations with age, sex, job description and attendance at the seminar.Eighty-six staff members returned questionnaires, a response rate of 39%. The results showed that levels of knowledge concerning AIDS transmission and prevention were high. A significantly greater proportion of seminar attenders were aware that needles should not be recapped after taking blood samples, but when this and other knowledge and attitude responses were corrected to allow for the higher proportion of non-medical staff among the non-attenders, there were no significant differences between attenders and non-attenders.These results suggest that an omnibus AIDS education seminar may not produce a worthwhile improvement in staff knowledge of or attitudes to AIDS.

scholarly journals Perception of Hospital Accreditation Impact among Quality Management Professionals in India: A Survey-Based Multicenter Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-64
Author(s):  
Lallu Joseph ◽  
Vijay Agarwal ◽  
Umashankar Raju ◽  
Arun Mavaji ◽  
Princy Rajkumar
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
P Value ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Introduction Accreditation ensures the standard of healthcare, yet accreditation effects on service quality are much debated. Some perceive it as improving quality and organizational performance, whereas others see it as overly bureaucratic and time-consuming, so adding it has limited advantage. The aim of the present study was to understand the perception of hospital staff working in quality management (i.e., doctors, nurses, and administrators) on accreditation, and determine whether years of accreditation have had any impact on their perception. Methods This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, data-based study initiated by the Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations. It consisted of primary data obtained in form of responses to a 30-item questionnaire and collected from 415 respondents. A probability (p) value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results For all 30 items, a significantly greater number of participants had a favorable response (p < 0.001). A greater number of administrators, as compared with doctors and nurses, responded positively on the impact of accreditation (p < 0.05). Participants from hospitals with 1–4 years of accreditation, as compared with participants from hospitals with 4–12 years of accreditation, gave a favorable response (p < 0.05). Conclusion One of the most important hurdles to implementing accreditation programs is the dilemma of healthcare professionals, especially senior hospital staff, regarding the positive impact of accreditation. The need to educate healthcare professionals about the potential benefits of accreditation, which should resolve any cynical attitude of healthcare professionals towards accreditation, is of utmost importance.

scholarly journals A mixed methods systematic review of the effects of patient online self-diagnosing in the 'smart-phone society' on the healthcare professional-patient relationship and medical authority

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annabel Farnood ◽  
Bridget Johnston ◽  
Frances S Mair
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Healthcare Professional ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Information Source ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Professional Relationship

Abstract Background: As technology continues to advance, the internet is becoming increasingly popular. Self-diagnosis and health information seeking online is growing more common and it will be important to understand the influence this may have on the patient-healthcare professional relationship. Methods: A mixed-method systematic review of quantitative, qualitative and mixed method studies concerning the public and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of online self-diagnosis and health information seeking and how this can impact the patient-healthcare professional relationship. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ACM & SCOPUS between 2007 and 2018. Relevant data were extracted, and a thematic analysis was conducted and conceptualised using the Normalisation Process Theory framework. Results: Of 6107 records identified, 25 articles met the review eligibility criteria which included 16 qualitative, 8 quantitative and 1 mixed method study. The findings indicated that patients found the internet as a complementary information source alongside healthcare professionals. Health care professionals were perceived to be the most reliable and valued information source. People feel responsible for their own health and find the internet to be a source that provides information rapidly with accessibility at their convenience. Most healthcare professionals agreed on the importance of collaboration with patients and the need to develop a partnership and shared decision-making process but struggled to find time in the consultation to do so efficiently. Some healthcare professionals felt that the internet was advantageous for patients looking after their own health, while others felt it was due to a lack of trust in their expertise. Patients tended to present information to the healthcare professional to support the therapeutic relationship rather than to challenge it and to become more involved in the decision-making process of their healthcare. Conclusion: The results of this review suggests that patients value healthcare professionals as a source of medical advice more than the internet. While health professionals views were mixed our findings indicate that online health information seeking can potentially improve the patient-healthcare professional relationship as patients reported they usually conducted an online search to form a partnership with the healthcare professional as opposed to trying to prove them wrong. Systematic review registration: CRD42018084230

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