Implementing the information prescription protocol in a family medicine practice: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
Can an information prescription protocol be successfully integrated into a family medicine practice seeking to enhance patient education and self-management?


METHODS
Milton Family Practice, an outpatient clinic and resident teaching site of the University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care, is located in a semirural area fifteen miles from main campus.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives were to increase physicians' knowledge and use of information prescriptions, sustain integration of information prescription use, and increase physicians' ability to provide patient education information.


METHODS
Methods used were promotion of the National Library of Medicine's Information Rx, physician instruction, installation of patient and provider workstations, and a collaborative approach to practice integration.


RESULTS
A post-intervention survey showed increased physician knowledge and use of the Information Rx protocol. Support procedures were integrated at the practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Sustainable integration of Information Rx in a primary care clinic requires not only promotion and education, but also attention to clinic organization and procedures.
Burke
Marianne
M
Dana Medical Library, University of Vermont, 81 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. marianne.burke@uvm.edu
Carey
Peggy
P
Haines
Laura
L
Lampson
Alan P
AP
Pond
Fred
F
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055656:Prescriptions; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States