The information requirements and information-seeking behaviours of health and social care professionals providing care to children with health care needs: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this work were to identify the sources of information currently received, information-seeking behaviours, information requirements and preferences for future information provision amongst health and social care professionals providing care to children with health care needs.


METHODS
Data were collected using a cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey.


RESULTS
A wide range of information resources was reported as being available to professionals. However, a large proportion of respondents found it necessary to perform additional searches for information, suggesting that current resources were not satisfying their needs. The majority of professionals reported a preference for electronic formats, whilst a smaller proportion preferred hard copy materials. Participants promoted the use of informal networks as a means of support and exchange of information.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementing the information that is provided in electronic and hard copy formats, by enhancing informal networks, may be the most effective way of meeting the information needs of this group of professionals.
Jackson
Rachel
R
Section of Public Health, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. R.Jackson@sheffield.ac.uk
Baird
Wendy
W
Davis-Reynolds
Loretta
L
Smith
Christine
C
Blackburn
Stephen
S
Allsebrook
Janet
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom