Use and cost analysis of online literature searching in a university-based drug information center

The use of an online literature-retrieval system located within a university-based drug information center over a three-year period is described. The drug information center, which handles 50-100 questions/month, is equipped with a computer terminal and printer, as well as the standard printed reference sources. If a question cannot be answered in 10-15 minutes using general reference sources, a computer search is conducted. For the years 1979-81, the total number of online searches was determined. Data were also collected indicating the database accessed and the time spent for each search. The number of online searches performed for the successive years was 279, 397, and 274. Of these, 69% were conducted on the MEDLINE database. The average time for each search was 10.96 minutes in 1979, 6.40 minutes in 1980, and 8.54 minutes in 1981. The mean annual charge for online searching was $1772.32. Royalty fees and telecommunication charges for the respective years accounted for 23.5%, 32.6%, and 25.4% of the total bill. Online searching provides an efficient method of retrieving information, especially when questions are very complex. Drug information specialists handling many complex questions should consider acquiring the equipment and expertise to do online searches within their drug information center.