title: Beyond knowledge deficit to a proposal for information-seeking behaviors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nursing assessment of knowledge of informational needs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present of a brief evolutionary analysis of knowledge deficit in terms of its significance, application, and use, and to present a proposal diagnosis, "information-seeking behaviors."
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review of knowledge deficit and "information-seeking behaviors."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge deficit is a nursing diagnosis that is significant for identifying a patient's need for education or knowledge. Its application has revealed limitations to validity and subsequent use. "Information-seeking behaviors" is proposed as an alternative diagnosis. Antecedents and defining characteristics are presented and areas for future research proposed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA. vconley@com1.usf.edu
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Conley
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011582:Psychological Theory; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design