Availability and accessibility of evidence-based information resources provided by medical libraries in Australia.
This article reports on the results of an exploratory survey of the availability and accessibility of evidence-based information resources provided by medical libraries in Australia. Although barriers impede access to evidence-based information for hospital clinicians, the survey revealed that Medline and Cinahl are available in over 90% of facilities. In most cases they are widely accessible via internal networks and the Internet. The Cochrane Library is available in 69% of cases. The Internet is widely accessible and most libraries provide access to some full-text, electronic journals. Strategies for overcoming restrictions and integrating information resources with clinical workflow are being pursued. State, regional and national public and private consortia are developing agreements utilising on-line technology. These could produce cost savings and more equitable access to a greater range of evidence-based resources.
Ritchie
A
A
Australian Information Management Association Training and Consultancy Services, Canberra.
Sowter
B
B
D001315:Australia; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D007255:Information Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020407:Internet; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*