Managing or reciprocating with digital library information in a clinical setting

Medical digital libraries can effectively provide clinical users with reputable, up-to-date information on which to base their clinical decision making processes. A study, within a large London-based hospital, of clinicians information perceptions and medical digital library usage patterns has identified 2 key usability issues which are impeding the successful implementation of these applications. Users need to both manage information sources (e.g. searching, identifying and filing) and also act reciprocally with it and other users (reading, skim reading, annotating, disseminating, collaborating). Digital library mechanisms, however, often support the former activities and have been poor in supporting the latter. An account of how digital libraries are perceived by users to support and hinder their information usage patterns is provided. Various digital library usage factors are reviewed such as information management, familiarity, serendipity, and portability.