In March, the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) sent a survey out to its membership. This survey was developed in collaboration with the Regional Medical Library (RML) to better understand information use patterns of the WSMA membership and to assess needs for training about National Library of Medicine (NLM) resources. Below are a few points from the survey results:

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Date: March 11, 2008

To: Washington State Health Sciences Librarians

From: Sherrilynne Fuller, Director, Health Sciences Libraries and Associate
Dean, University Libraries, University of Washington

Re: WSMA questionnaire

On March 5, the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) sent out a web-based questionnaire to its membership that was developed by WSMA, the University of Washington Health Sciences Library, and the RML.

The survey is designed to assess physician information needs, their use of online clinical resources, and their familiarity with PubMed and other NLM resources. It also asks about interest in training about NLM resources, while noting that many excellent additional resources are available to those physicians who have privileges at hospitals with librarians. Based on the response, the RML hopes to offer NLM training sessions, in conjunction with WSMA functions around the state.

Since you may be getting questions about the survey, I wanted to alert you to it, and provide a copy of a PDF version of the questionnaire.

The survey introduction refers to a project in development (HEAL-WA) that will be an online clinical resource to provide evidence-based healthcare information to participating licensed health professionals in Washington State beginning in 2009. The HEAL-WA project will provide access to eligible users via a variety of online health information including selected full-text journals, databases and ebooks via a “portal” (that will be separate from — and more limited than — the Healthlinks portal provided to UW faculty, staff and students). HEAL-WA is being developed in accordance with the 2007 action of the Washington State Legislature, and will be funded by special license fees from participating professionals, including registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, physicians, physician assistants, osteopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians’ assistants, naturopaths, podiatrists, chiropractors, psychologists, optometrists, mental health counselors, massage therapists, clinical social workers, and acupuncturists. More information about the HEAL-WA project is at http://nnlm.gov/pnr/dragonfly/category/washington-senate-bill-5930/.

Valerie Lawrence is working on initial design of the HEAL-WA portal. There will be an update at the WMLA meeting, end of March.

We really look forward to results from the WSMA survey and will certainly be sharing what is learned with all of you.