1. Development of a GP “Specialist e-Library” within the NHS Scotland e-Library Knowledge Services Group Zena Mulligan (Information Manager)

2. Background  Policy drive towards primary-care led health service  GPs currently amongst the lowest users of NHS Scotland e-Library  The literature and informal feedback have identified a number of barriers to actively seeking answers to clinical questions and using the e-Library, e.g.  Lack of time  Lack of instant, ready access to bottom-line answers, i.e. pre-digested information that does not require interpretation or appraisal  e-Library interface perceived as too complicated and too much effort required to filter out relevant information

3. Timescale  Phase 1 (July 2005 – March 2006): Requirements analysis and development of specialist e-Library  Phase 2 (April – October 2006): Implementation  Phase 3 (October – December 2006): Evaluation

4. Phase 1: Methodology  Literature review  Virtual reference group  Observation  Focus Group  Interviews  Questionnaires

5. Virtual Reference Group  Dr Murray Lough (NES: Assistant Director of GP Section, West of Scotland Region and practising GP)  Dr Tim Jones (NES: Associate GP Advisor and practising GP)  Dr Jean Robson (NES: GP Principal; GP Appraiser; Associate GP Advisor, West of Scotland Region and practising GP)  Dr Peter McCalister (NES: Associate GP Advisor for CPD and practising GP)  Dr Paul Green (NES: Associate GP Advisor and practising GP)  Dr Gordon McLeay (NES: Assistant Director and practising GP)

6. Observing Practice  High number of clinical queries  Drug related queries most common  Lack of time major barrier to searching for information  Reliance on colleagues as quick sources of information  Need for quick access to a small number of resources for answering clinical queries and providing patient information

7. Focus Group  Too much information presented on e-Library  Useful to have results ranked by relevance  Expectation is that e-Library search is on content of resources  Guidelines are key resources for GPs  Help and support  Passwords are a barrier to access

8. Interviews & Questionnaires  In-depth interviews with 5 GPs  Email survey of GP Trainers in North of Scotland  Postal survey of GP Trainers in West of Scotland  Followed up with an email reminder  52% response rate from 133 questionnaires sent out

9. Summary of findings  Information needs  Core resources  Characteristics of GP “Specialist e-Library”

10. Purposes for seeking information

11. Popular Resources

12. Summary of Findings  Information need  Core resources  Characteristics of GP “Specialist e-Library” Speed Simplicity Powerful Google style searching Resources organised by type and common condition, e.g. guidelines, patient information, evidence based Clinical Query Answering Service

14. Thank you! Any queries, comments or suggestions please contact Zena.Mulligan@nes.scot.nhs.uk