A study comparing centralized CD-ROM and decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a dece ntralized intranet access in each medical department as opposed to centrali zed unique MEDLINE access in the medical library. Design: A two-phase questionnaire to evaluate MEDLINE use was given to juni or and senior physicians at Rouen University Hospital (RUH). Phase I (Augus t-October 1996) corresponded to a time period when centralized access was t he only means of access available and phase II (August-October 1997) to a t ime period following the introduction of decentralized intranet access. Results: A total of 168 physicians filled out at least one phase of the que stionnaire among whom 123 (73%) filled out both phases. Use of MEDLLNE sign ificantly increased in 1997 (average of 10.2 +/-: 1.1 searches in three mon ths) versus 1996 (average of 4.9 +/- 0.7 searches in three months, P < 0.00 01). The aim of searches changed, becoming significantly more care oriented in phase II (P < 0.0001). The number of searches performed by the physicia ns alone increased (P < 0.0001) and searches performed bi the librarian dec reased (P < 0.0001) in phase II. The method of searches also changed, as se arches by author (P < 0.0001). by journal (P = 0.0042), and by free word (P = 0.0027) increased in phase II. Knowledge of the following concepts of ME DLINE significantly increased: explosion (P < 0.0001), scope note (P < 0.00 01), Abridged Index Medicus (AIM) journals (P < 0.0001), Medical Subject He adings (MeSH) qualifier (P < 0.0001), and focus (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: A decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE increased the number of searches and knowledge of this bibliographic database. MEDLINE intranet access modified the purpose and the methods of searching.