title: A study comparing centralized CD-ROM and decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a decentralized intranet access in each medical department as opposed to centralized unique MEDLINE access in the medical library.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-phase questionnaire to evaluate MEDLINE use was given to junior and senior physicians at Rouen University Hospital (RUH). Phase I (August-October 1996) corresponded to a time period when centralized access was the only means of access available and phase II (August-October 1997) to a time period following the introduction of decentralized intranet access.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 168 physicians filled out at least one phase of the questionnaire, among whom 123 (73%) filled out both phases. Use of MEDLINE significantly increased in 1997 (average of 10.2+/-1.1 searches in three months) versus 1996 (average of 4.9+/-0.7 searches in three months, P<0.0001). The aim of searches changed, becoming significantly more care oriented in phase II (P<0.0001). The number of searches performed by the physicians alone increased (P<0.0001) and searches performed by the librarian decreased (P<0.0001) in phase II. The method of searches also changed, as searches by author (P< 0.0001), by journal (P = 0.0042), and by free word (P = 0.0027) increased in phase II. Knowledge of the following concepts of MEDLINE significantly increased: explosion (P<0.0001), scope note (P<0.0001), Abridged Index Medicus (AIM) journals (P<0.0001), Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) qualifier (P<0.0001), and focus (P<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE increased the number of searches and knowledge of this bibliographic database. MEDLINE intranet access modified the purpose and the methods of searching.
authors.affiliation: Computer and Networks Department, Rouen University Hospital, France.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Darmoni
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benichou
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thirion
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hellot
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fuss
mesh_terms: D016251:CD-ROM; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D005602:France; D016239:MEDLINE; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface