From the ground up: information needs of nurses in a rural public health department in Oregon.
OBJECTIVE
The research identified and assessed information needs and resources of public health nurses in a local health department.


METHODS
Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with seventeen public health nurses at a local health department in rural Oregon. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a constant comparative method to assess the information nurses sought and used in their work.


RESULTS
Public health nurses performed a wide variety of roles and associated tasks. Major themes that emerged from analyses of interview transcripts included: (1) differences in information needs depending on position and role; (2) colleagues as the most efficient and trusted source of information; (3) limitations of existing knowledge-based resources; (4) need for up-to-date and pertinent information; and (5) need for personal computers, basic communications software, and expanded Internet access.


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of Internet access is a significant barrier to use of information resources, and information tools tailored to meet the needs diverse public health nursing roles and facilitate information sharing among colleagues are needed. Librarians and informaticians can assist by addressing these needs and improving the organization of content and interface design for commonly used websites.
Turner
Anne M
AM
Center for Public Health Informatics, Department of Health Services, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, 1100 Northeast 45th Street, Suite 405, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. amturner@u.washington.edu
Stavri
Zoe
Z
Revere
Debra
D
Altamore
Rita
R
D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009922:Oregon; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration