 |
Poston, R. S., Suda, K. and Onita, C. 2009. “Information Sources Experts Consult and
Find Useful In Answering Drug-Related Questions,” eServices Journal (6:3), pp. 1-39.
Getting the wrong answer to drug-related questions could be life threatening. We need
to better understand which drug-related information sources, including those on the
Internet, are best for answering these questions. This paper presents data from documented
information search and retrieval efforts performed under the supervision of a pharmacist,
seeking answers to drug-related questions. This study uses media richness theory to
inform hypotheses about information source uses. The hypotheses center on the premise
that reducing uncertainty is the key to compiling a complete and accurate answer;
information sources are judged based on their actual performance in supplying the
answers to questions submitted to a professional drug information center. The findings
of this exploratory study based on logistical and OLS regressions suggest the type
of question being asked significantly influences an expert pharmacist’s decision not
to consult certain information sources. The findings further suggest that, depending
on the type of question being asked, certain sources are much less useful than others
in helping arrive at a complete answer. If pharmacists and other health professionals
know what influences the sources that experts consult and which sources are the most
useful, their ability to get answers to questions is likely to improve, which in turn
will improve the quality of care they provide to patients. These findings have implications
for theory and practice.
|