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A study comparing centralized CD-ROM and decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE
S J Darmoni1, J Benichou, B Thirion
1Computer and Networks Department, Rouen University Hospital, France.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|April 28, 2000
Summary
Decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE significantly boosted physician usage and understanding of the database. This shift also changed search objectives and methods, improving access to medical information.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Health Sciences Information Management
Background:
- Centralized access to medical databases like MEDLINE can be a bottleneck for healthcare professionals.
- Decentralized access models aim to improve resource availability and utilization within medical institutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE versus centralized library access.
- To assess the impact of decentralized access on physician usage patterns and knowledge of MEDLINE.
Main Methods:
- A two-phase questionnaire study was conducted with junior and senior physicians at Rouen University Hospital.
- Phase I assessed MEDLINE use with centralized access, while Phase II evaluated use after implementing decentralized intranet access.
Main Results:
- MEDLINE searches significantly increased by over 100% after decentralized access was introduced (4.9 to 10.2 searches per physician per quarter).
- Physicians increasingly performed searches independently, with a decrease in librarian-assisted searches.
- Knowledge of MEDLINE features such as MeSH qualifiers and search strategies significantly improved.
Conclusions:
- Decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE enhances its utilization and user comprehension.
- Implementing decentralized access transforms how physicians interact with bibliographic databases, shifting focus towards patient care and independent research.