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Information on alternative medicine: a collection management issue
1School of Library, Archival, and Information Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|April 29, 1998
Summary
Librarians expressed caution regarding alternative medicine information, while physicians and medical students prioritized conventional treatments. This study explored differing views on the accessibility of alternative medicine resources.
Area of Science:
- Library and Information Science
- Medical Education
- Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Collection management of alternative medicine materials presents challenges for librarians due to varied opinions on information acceptability.
- Differing perspectives exist on the role and accessibility of alternative medicine information within academic and public library settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the viewpoints of physicians, medical students, and librarians concerning the availability of alternative medicine information.
- To explore potential discrepancies in how these professional groups perceive the acceptability and accessibility of alternative health resources.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory study involving interviews with two representatives from each of three groups: physicians, medical students, and librarians.
- Participants were affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at The University of British Columbia or its associated library.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in opinion regarding alternative medicine were observed among the groups.
- Librarians showed more hesitation towards radical or potentially harmful alternative medicine materials.
- Physicians and medical students emphasized the primacy of traditional medical treatments and related information.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a divergence in perspectives on alternative medicine information management between healthcare professionals and librarians.
- Findings suggest a need for further research into the complex issues surrounding the collection and dissemination of alternative medicine resources.