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Medical information for Alabama rural physicians
M S Battistella1, L R Russell, B P Doughty
1Baptist Medical Center Princeton, Birmingham.
Alabama Medicine : Journal of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Rural physicians in Alabama face challenges accessing medical information. This study outlines strategies using personal resources, technology, and libraries to improve access to biomedical literature for better patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Health Sciences Information Access
- Rural Health
Background:
- Physicians outside urban centers in Alabama experience difficulties accessing crucial medical information.
- Limited access to biomedical literature can impede effective patient care in rural areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe methods for Alabama's rural physicians to access essential biomedical literature.
- To identify resources that support information retrieval for rural healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing resources available to rural physicians.
- Identification of communication technologies facilitating information access.
- Cataloging of health sciences libraries offering support services.
Main Results:
- Personal collections, communication technology, and libraries are key resources for rural physicians.
- A list of health sciences libraries in Alabama is provided, detailing their services.
- Consultative and information services are available through state health sciences libraries.
Conclusions:
- Alabama's rural physicians can overcome information access barriers through strategic use of available resources.
- Health sciences libraries play a vital role in supporting rural healthcare providers.
- Enhanced access to biomedical literature can improve the quality of patient care in underserved areas.