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The South Dakota Med-Fax network
1Christian P. Lommen Health Sciences Library, School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion 57069.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|April 1, 1989
Summary
South Dakota librarians created a statewide network connecting rural physicians to vital medical databases and document delivery. This initiative improved access to information, enhancing healthcare in underserved areas.
Area of Science:
- Health Sciences
- Medical Informatics
- Information Science
Background:
- Rural physicians often face challenges accessing up-to-date medical information and resources.
- Limited access to specialized databases and rapid document delivery can hinder evidence-based practice in remote areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a statewide medical information network for rural physicians in South Dakota.
- To improve access to online databases and facilitate rapid document delivery for healthcare providers in underserved regions.
Main Methods:
- A statewide network was established by health sciences librarians.
- Funding was secured for interactive simultaneous remote searching (ISRS) and telefacsimile equipment.
- A coordinator was appointed for training and ongoing support across sixteen network sites.
Main Results:
- Telefacsimile technology quickly became essential for information transfer within the network.
- Interactive Simultaneous Remote Searching (ISRS) is increasingly adopted by physicians lacking local database access.
- The network successfully expanded access to medical information for rural healthcare providers.
Conclusions:
- Statewide medical information networks can effectively bridge the gap in resource access for rural physicians.
- Telefacsimile and ISRS technologies are valuable tools for enhancing medical information transfer in remote healthcare settings.
- Investing in information infrastructure significantly supports evidence-based practice and healthcare quality in underserved areas.