In-house databases as an informational tool: the New Mexico Health Resources Registry.
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Information Storage and Retrieval↗
Biomedical subjects
K R Shelstad
Publications and source records attributed to K R Shelstad.
Information retrieval patterns and needs among practicing general surgeons: a statewide experience.
Information retrieval has progressed from a reliance on traditional print sources to the modern era of computer databases and online networks. Surgeons, many from remote areas not served by professional medical libraries, must develop and maintain skills in information retrieval and management in both electronic and standard formats. One hundred thirty-three New Mexico general surgeons were surveyed to identify their information-seeking patterns in five areas: retrieval purposes, retrieval sources, barriers to access, techniques used, and continuing education needs. Ninety-nine (74.4%) surgeons responded to the survey. Ninety-five percent utilize professional meetings, the medical literature, and physician colleagues as information sources. Only 17% utilize the outreach services of the state's only medical school library. Common retrieval barriers were practice demands (71%), isolation from medical schools (30%), computer illiteracy (28%), and rural environment (25%). Continuing education topics related to information management would be valuable to 61% of the surgeons. Sixty-nine percent believe their current ability to access biomedical information is adequate, despite most frequently accessing their personal libraries for information related to decision-making or patient management. These data suggest that, despite significant information needs, surgeons have not embraced newer forms of information retrieval. It is imperative that surgeons acquire and maintain modern information retrieval skills as a means of remaining up-to-date in their profession. Professional surgical organizations and medical librarians should collaborate on these continuing education ventures.
Chi-Square Distribution↗
On-line search strategies of third year medical students: perception vs fact.
The curriculum at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine has evolved with a high priority on problem-based and life-long learning. As the information pool enlarges, a greater emphasis must be placed on the ability of physicians to access the biomedical literature following residency training. To foster information retrieval skills, our medical school has included on the ability of physicians to access the biomedical literature following residency training. To foster information retrieval skills, our medical school has included on-line searching instruction since 1987. On-line classes are taught by experienced medical librarians during the second month of the first year curriculum. After receiving training, students are assigned a code via Grateful Med software. The purpose of the study was to measure the long-term effectiveness of this training approach and to determine the students' ability to formulate a search strategy and run a search to answer clinical questions at the third year level. During the 1990-1991 school year, all third year students were asked to use Grateful Med to answer two questions related to surgical patient care and to complete a questionnaire showing how they use Grateful Med and how they view their training. The students' searches were compared to "gold standard" searches run by an experienced medical librarian. Nineteen percent of all searches resulted in zero retrieval, and the remainder missed 74-100% of the gold standard available citations. Additional instruction shortly after on-line training could identify problem areas (poor search behavior) and information retrieval skills should be integrated and encouraged in all levels of the curriculum.
Evaluation Studies as Topic↗