New Technologies

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Id: 46EA

Information-Seeking Behaviors of Clinical Laboratory Scientists

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Christine Pitocco, PhD, Stony Brook, NY

Obtaining information is important in any profession. There have been prior studies on information-seeking
behaviors of professionals but not in the field of clinical laboratory science. The findings of this study demonstrate
that clinical laboratory scientists as a group exhibit information-seeking behaviors different from that observed in
related research when a need for information arises. They in general show positive emotions and behaviors (eg,
confident and experienced) when seeking information. A high reliance on electronic resources (eg, Internet
resources, electronic journals) is witnessed among this study’s participants. They also use multiple resources (eg,
databases, colleagues) to verify the accuracy and reliability of what they found. However, the physical library is
rarely visited and textbooks are no longer a main source but become supplementary for clinical educational
purposes. Unlike what has been reported in prior research with other healthcare professionals, they participate in
collaborative learning and information sharing to meet their information needs. In addition, they subscribe to
listservs, web alerts, and utilize social networks (eg, Facebook) in their information seeking. The barriers identified
in the present research can be attributed to time, financial, and technology factors. Limited financial resources have
a noticeable, negative impact on clinical laboratory scientists’ information-seeking behaviors. Many of the barriers
are technology related, ranging from poorly designed computer systems to inadequate training. Improving the design
of those systems that the profession uses daily and providing workshops or training would facilitate with their efforts
in information seeking. This study has shed some light for the first time on clinical laboratory scientists’
information-seeking behaviors. The results may enable information service providers and system designers to better
understand this profession’s needs and better serve them as a result.

©American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2014;142:A195