Evaluating the professional libraries of practicing physical therapists

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Information Science

Background:

• Physical therapists' information resource utilization is key to practice.
• Maintaining current knowledge is essential for evidence-based practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore information resource use among physical therapists.
• To identify current information-seeking behaviors and resource accessibility.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study design with structured individual interviews.
• Examination of professional libraries and information resources.
• Inclusion of 40 experienced physical therapists across three US sites.

Main Results:

• The Internet and continuing education are primary information sources.
• Personal professional libraries are outdated, with most books copyrighted over ten years ago.
• Access to peer-reviewed journals is mainly through professional association memberships.

Conclusions:

• Physical therapists lack current print professional information resources.
• Medical librarians can facilitate the shift to evidence-based practice.
• Support for public collections is needed to promote evidence-based physical therapy.