Gw. Lundeen et al., INFORMATION NEEDS OF RURAL HEALTH-CARE PRACTITIONERS IN HAWAII, Bulletin of the Medical Library Association, 82(2), 1994, pp. 197-205
Rural health care workers need a wide range of specialized information
but have difficulties locating and accessing information resources. T
he information needs of Hawaii's rural health care practitioners and t
heir methods of accessing information were studied through interviews
and mailed questionnaires. The following barriers to information acces
s were identified: lack of funds, inadequate hardware, infrastructure
problems, and insufficient knowledge about information sources and how
to use them. Although many (85%) reported having computers, only a mi
nority (30%) have modems, and even fewer use online resources or the f
ree electronic databases at public and university libraries. Most repo
rted that journal articles were the information source that best met t
heir needs and that personal files or a colleague's collection were th
e most common places for accessing needed materials. Recommendations f
or solving some of the information problems include development of a S
tate of Hawaii rural health information clearinghouse; better identifi
cation, training, and use of available services; and, most importantly
, the establishment of rural health care information agents (modeled o
n agriculture extension agents) on each major island.