Does a hybrid electronic-paper environment impact on health professional information seeking?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a hybrid electronic-paper patient record environment upon health professional information seeking (i.e. amount of information accessed, choice of key sources of information, type of information and use of information seeking tactics). A within group, laboratory, experimental study was conducted using two simulation environments (i.e. a paper patient record and a hybrid or electronic-paper environment). Thirty-five novice nurses participated in this within group, laboratory based study. Findings revealed significant differences between the paper and hybrid environments in terms of their effects upon information seeking.

(1) accessed less data in the hybrid than the paper environment, (2) accessed more non-electronic sources than electronic sources of information in the hybrid environment, and (3) used more passive information seeking tactics in the hybrid than the paper environment. Findings from the cued recall data revealed subjects experienced increased cognitive load in the hybrid environment. Implications for the design of hybrid environments are discussed.