Interpreting the Value of Information Received From Library Sources in Clinical Decision-Making Experienced By Physicians and Residents

The medical profession currently has extensive information and knowledge of the latest valid scientific advances in disease diagnosis, treatment strategies, and patient care, and is used by physicians, but there is little evidence on the assessment of the usefulness of information used by physicians in dealing with clinical problems. This study aims to interpret the value of information received from library sources in clinical decision-making experienced by physicians and residents. The study is qualitative. The participants were 28 subjects including 13 specialists, 4 subspecialists, and 11 residents of healthcare educational centers of Birjand city chosen through a purposeful sampling method. For data collection, semi-structured interviews, and for data analysis, Colaizzi s seven-stage method was used. 7 main themes were identified including clinical, cognitive, qualitative, status, Guidance, pedagogic, and research, and 34 subthemes. The results showed that information has been valuable from different aspects of clinical decision-making. Thus, providing and making up-to-date as well as relevant information accessible to the healthcare team should be the agenda of medical sciences libraries as well as healthcare policymakers.