title: The value of library and information services in patient care: results of a multisite study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The research conducted a large-scale, multisite study on the value and impact of library and information services on patient care.
  
  
  METHODS
  THE STUDY USED: (1) 2 initial focus groups of librarians; (2) a web-based survey of physicians, residents, and nurses at 56 library sites serving 118 hospitals; and (3) 24 follow-up telephone interviews. Survey respondents were asked to base their responses on a recent incident in which they had sought information for patient care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 16,122 survey respondents, 3/4 said that they had definitely or probably handled aspects of the patient care situation differently as a result of the information. Among the reported changes were advice given to the patient (48%), diagnosis (25%), and choice of drugs (33%), other treatment (31%), and tests (23%). Almost all of the respondents (95%) said the information resulted in a better informed clinical decision. Respondents reported that the information allowed them to avoid the following adverse events: patient misunderstanding of the disease (23%), additional tests (19%), misdiagnosis (13%), adverse drug reactions (13%), medication errors (12%), and patient mortality (6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Library and information resources were perceived as valuable, and the information obtained was seen as having an impact on patient care.
authors: School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 100 Manning Hall, CB# 3360, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3360, USA. marshall@ils.unc.edu
authors: Joanne Gard
authors: JG
authors: Marshall
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Sollenberger
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Easterby-Gannett
authors: Lynn Kasner
authors: LK
authors: Morgan
authors: Mary Lou
authors: ML
authors: Klem
authors: Susan K
authors: SK
authors: Cavanaugh
authors: Kathleen Burr
authors: KB
authors: Oliver
authors: Cheryl A
authors: CA
authors: Thompson
authors: Neil
authors: N
authors: Romanosky
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D007255:Information Services / Q000592:standards*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007999:Library Services / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005791:Patient Care; D010820:Physicians