Information Needs and Sources of Doctors Working at Remote Government Health Facilities in Pakistan

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to (a) determine the clinical information need of primary care doctors and (c) to describe the type of sources they use for patient management. The study was conducted in remote government health facilities in the District of Multan, Punjab, Pakistan. The participants of this study were all the medical officers working in Basic Health Units (BHU), Rural Health Centers (RHC) and Tehsil Headquarters (THQ), as these doctors met established criteria. Criteria included Health Facilities running under Executive District Officer (EDO) Health, Multan. A descriptive survey was conducted for data collection. A close ended questionnaire was developed after literature review and also accessed the situation of peripheries in Multan district. The questionnaire was discussed with two experts of library and information sciences and two senior doctors (>8 years’ experience) working at remote government health facilities. It was revised to incorporate recommended improvements. Patient management, staying up-to-date, continuing medical education (CME) and evidence for policies and procedures were the main types of doctors’ information need. The study summarized that doctors need a wide range of clinical information sources in remote areas for patient management.