Preferences and Pattern of Information Seeking of Academics of Health Related Faculties, University of Peardeniya (UoP)

Abstract

The objectives of the study is to 1) identify the preferences and information seeking behavior of the academics of health related faculties of UOP, 2) examine how they manage their information needs and 3) make recommendations for appropriate changes for future use. The study population consisted of all the academics (173) of four faculties, Allied Health Sciences (FAHS), Dental Sciences (FDS), Medicine (FM) and Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences (FVMAS). An online survey questionnaire was used to gather data from the sample. The strategies used by the respondents in their information needs were: use of library (24%), Internet (100%), databases through library web page (59%) and personal collections of resources (76%). Purposes of seeking information by majority (90%) were; teaching, research, updating knowledge and writing articles while percentages of that for 'managing patients' and 'clinical information' varied according to designation and faculty of the respondents. 71% of lecturers used information for preparation of exams. Majority (81%) of respondents used E-journals and Web-based information frequently. 'Google search' was used as the most useful search engine by 98% of all groups. HINARI was the most used database by 64.4% and Medline-PUBMED was the most used resource by 71.2%. For updating knowledge, more than 90% of respondents used public/guest lectures, conferences/seminars, research sessions, and contacts with professional colleagues while 70% downloaded articles through colleagues abroad. As suggested through free comments and according to findings of the study, provision of university-wide online access to reputed journals and other essential resources, upgraded computers with fast connectivity and training programs on information literacy skills are recommended for future improvements.

Usage Pattern of Medical Information through the <em>ClinicalKey</em> Database among Medical Professionals of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine

“…When comparing different implementation options for the same electronic knowledge resource, it appears that allowing physicians to choose how they want to access the resource versus an automatic display of resource information and incorporating patient-specific data have advantages (Maggio, 2019). Studies indicate that future enhancements should include university-wide online access to reputed journals and other key resources, improved computers with fast connectivity, information literacy training programs, and continued literature search sessions are key to practicing evidence-based medicine (Perera, 2015 & Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka, Vol. 25, Issue 1, January 2022, 1-30, http://doi.org/10.4038/jula.v25i1.8051 8 Korukire, 2018).…”