focus on meeting the information needs of healthcare providers
Recently, while browsing through the many subscriptions to health related information, we came along a very important issue addressed by the IDS Health and Development Information team.
Every day, many people living in developing countries die unnecessarily from diseases and illnesses that could be easily prevented and inexpensively treated. One reason for this is that healthcare providers do not have the appropriate information and knowledge to respond safely and effectively to the situation. In many cases the mother, health worker or other carer simply does not know what to do or when and where to seek help.
A key problem is that information delivery is largely research-led and technology-driven. It needs to be more responsive to the actual needs of healthcare providers, but such needs are poorly understood, and nearly all the literature relates to health professionals in developed countries. Health information initiatives that focus specifically on access to scholarly journals have benefited researchers, academics and high-level health professionals; however, more efforts need to be directed towards the needs of healthcare providers, particularly those working in primary and district level health care.
What do you think? How can a resource like Gentan address this problem? We all know that the best health care starts from the public first, and the best way they can stay healthy is by having all available information provided to them. Let's hear your views...
Every day, many people living in developing countries die unnecessarily from diseases and illnesses that could be easily prevented and inexpensively treated. One reason for this is that healthcare providers do not have the appropriate information and knowledge to respond safely and effectively to the situation. In many cases the mother, health worker or other carer simply does not know what to do or when and where to seek help.
A key problem is that information delivery is largely research-led and technology-driven. It needs to be more responsive to the actual needs of healthcare providers, but such needs are poorly understood, and nearly all the literature relates to health professionals in developed countries. Health information initiatives that focus specifically on access to scholarly journals have benefited researchers, academics and high-level health professionals; however, more efforts need to be directed towards the needs of healthcare providers, particularly those working in primary and district level health care.
What do you think? How can a resource like Gentan address this problem? We all know that the best health care starts from the public first, and the best way they can stay healthy is by having all available information provided to them. Let's hear your views...
posted by OFFICIAL GENTAN BLOG at 9:15 AM
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