Improving access to information for nursing staff in remote areas: the potential of the Internet and other networked information resources

This paper reports on a research project which explored the potential of th e Internet and other networked information resources to improve access to i nformation for trained nurses working in the remote Western Isles of Scotla nd. The project was carried out by a multidisciplinary team including a com munity nurse working in the Western Isles, a nurse educator, an information provider and two information science researchers. Funding was provided joi ntly by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) and the ational Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Scotland (NBS). Results s how that the Internet does have considerable potential to improve access to information for nurses in remote areas. However, at that time, key improve ments to the nursing information on the Internet were required. Results als o reveal a low awareness amongst nursing staff of important nursing informa tion resources and a lack of information seeking skills. The paper conclude s by saying that although improving access to information is important, wha t is also important in the first instance is creating an awareness that acc ess to information is both necessary and relevant. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.