The information-seeking behavior of clinical staff in a large health care organization

Internet-based tools are easily accessible and can assist busy health professionals who cannot be expected to know the answer to every clinical question [1]. Some variability appears to exist in how Internet-based resources are used by different groups of health professionals [2]. A postal survey was undertaken to assess the information-seeking behavior and needs of a wide range of hospital-based staff including allied health professionals in one large organization to inform training and resource planning. The study was undertaken at the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB), the main health funding and provider organization serving 500,000 people in the center of the South Island of New Zealand. The main hospital site provides approximately 1,000 beds and includes a medical library with librarians who are available to assist with searching and training. Staff have access to computers with high-speed Internet; however, their formal training in evidence-based medicine varies.