The value of information services in patient care

A new US study has surveyed over 16,000 physicians, residents and nurses about the value of information services for patient care.

Objective:  The research conducted a large-scale, multisite study on the value and impact of library and information services on patient care.

Results:  Of the 16,122 survey respondents (physicians, residents, nurses), 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, diagnosis and choice of drugs, other treatment, and tests . Almost all of the respondents 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, additional tests, misdiagnosis, adverse drug reactions, medication errors, and patient mortality.

Conclusions:  Library and information resources were perceived as valuable, and the information obtained was seen as having an impact on patient care.

The value of library and information services in patient care: results of a multisite study.  Joanne Gard Marshall et al    J Med Libr Assoc. 2013 January; 101(1): 38–46. 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543128/

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