Date
April 2000
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Comparative Study; Computer Communication Networks; Internet; Iowa; Medical Informatics; Public Health
Disciplines
Library and Information Science
Abstract
In 1995, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Public Health Service (PHS) recommended that special attention be given to the information needs of unaffiliated public health professionals. In response, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) Greater Midwest Region initiated a collaborative outreach program for public health professionals working in rural east and central Iowa. Five public health agencies were provided equipment, training, and support for accessing the Internet. Key factors in the success of this project were: (1) the role of collaborating agencies in the implementation and ongoing success of information access outreach projects; (2) knowledge of the socio-cultural factors that influence the information-seeking habits of project participants (public health professionals); and (3) management of changing or varying technological infrastructures. Working with their funding, personnel from federal, state, and local governments enhanced the information-seeking skills of public health professionals in rural eastern and central Iowa communities.
Rights and Permissions
This article was first published in Bulletin of the Medical Library Association, 88(2):165-171, 2000, http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=35216
Related Resources
PubMed ID
10783972
Repository Citation
Walton, Linda J.; Hasson, Seana ; Ross, Faith V.; and Martin, Elaine Russo, "Outreach to Public Health Professionals: Lessons Learned from a Collaborative Iowa Public Health Project" (2000). University of Massachusetts Medical School. Library Publications and Presentations. Paper 11.
http://escholarship.umassmed.edu/lib_articles/11
