Information literacy skills training model for clinicians based on a case study of their information experiences and practices in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper is the outcome of an exploratory case study of Paediatricians in a tertiary hospital in Southeast, Nigeria, which aimed at providing understanding of the relationship between their information experiences, practices and their decisions in patient care. It was conducted using the qualitative method, with data obtained through interviews, diaries and observation. Paediatricians in the cadres of: Consultants, Senior Registrars, Registrars and Residents provided data which was coded thematically with the Nvivo software and analysed using the interpretative method. The findings are that in general: i) there was haphazard approach to information literacy training for the clinicians during professional education resulting in varied information capabilities, and inadequacy of knowledge and skills for good information practice; ii) obtaining medical information from colleagues was the predominant feature of paediatricians' information practices; iii)printed textbooks were the paediatricians preferred source for obtaining medical evidence, however, there was a growing popularity in the use of electronic medical information sources, including at the point of care; iv) there was general perception by the paediatricians that access to, and use of medical information supports patient care and achievement of better treatment outcomes. This perception instilled a sense of value for information use, demonstrated through the clinicians' dedication to the self-provision of information resources; vi) a dearth of medical resources germane to the contextual management of illnesses led to inadequate clinician knowledge in a good number of cases. The study recommends among others that the information literacy skills training (ILST) model developed from the findings, be used as a practical training tool for information literacy for the paediatricians' at the level of residency training to enhance their skills in medical information sourcing and use in patient care.