Information in primary health care

The results of two recently completed studies, one in the Trent Region and the other in the Anglia and Oxford Region, of the information-related behaviour of general medical practitioners (GPs) and of information activities within the general practices illustrating the information seeking behaviour of GPs, their generation of information, and communication within, to and from the practice. GPs stated that there is a need for more information to enable practices to function within the changing NHS environment. The increasing emphasis on evidence-based medicine also creates the need for appropriate information sources. The Trent study resulted in guidelines for best information practice, especially the need for each practice to have an information strategy. The Anglia and Oxford Study examined the role which the library and information services could play in supporting primary health care.