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Western Maryland
Health Information Needs Assessment

Please take a few moments to complete this needs assessment.  Results will be compiled and analyzed, then reported to the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern/Atlantic Region, and the National Library of Medicine.  These results will be used to help bring you the health information you need.

NOTE:  If you do not feel comfortable submitting this form online, please print it, complete it, and give it to your librarian or teacher.  You can also mail it to:  Gigi O'Baker, Western Maryland AHEC, 11 Columbia Street, Cumberland, MD  21502

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1.  I use the Internet and/or World Wide Web to access health information.  

    Often Sometimes Rarely Never

2.  I am able to find the health information I need on the Internet.

    Often Sometimes Rarely Never
3. I use search engines (such as Lycos, Excite, Go Network) to find health information on the Internet.
    Often Sometimes Rarely Never
4. I use directories (lists with links to health sites such as Librarians' Index to the Internet, Yahoo) to find health information.
    Often Sometimes Rarely Never
5. I have a favorite Web site (such as NLM, WebMD, or Drkoop.Com) to access health information on the internet.
    No Yes The name of my favorite health site is:

6.   I use the following Web-based resources to find health information: (check all that apply):

Medical dictionaries Often Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know about it
Full-text articles Often Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know about it
MEDLINEplus Often Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know about it
PubMed Often Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know about it
Health discussion lists Often Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know about it
Health associations Often Sometimes Rarely   Never Don't know about it
Other Often Sometimes Rarely Never Don't know about it

7. I know how to use the Internet to find what I need.

Strongly Agree Slightly Agree Slightly Disagree Strongly Disagree

8. If it were avaiable at a library, I would be interested in receiving free training in the following:

Searching the Internet Yes No Not sure - Why
Good health information on the Web Yes No Not sure - Why
How to evaluate health Web sites Yes No Not sure - Why
Searching for medical articles Yes No Not sure - Why

9. I know how to judge the quality of health resources I find on the Internet.

Often Sometimes Rarely Never
If so, what criteria do you use?

10. I have used a library in the past year to find health information.

Often Sometimes Rarely Never

11. I have asked a librarian to help me find health information on the Internet in the past year.

Often Sometimes Rarely Never
12. I believe health care consumers need access to health information in order to make informed health care choices.
Strongly Agree Slightly Agree Slightly Disagree Strongly Disagree

13. I believe that high-quality health information is available on the Internet.

Strongly Agree Slightly Agree Slightly Disagree Strongly Disagree

14. I would use health information on the Internet for my own care.

Strongly Agree Slightly Agree Slightly Disagree Strongly Disagree

15. I would discuss health information on the Internet with my health care provider.

Strongly Agree Slightly Agree Slightly Disagree Strongly Disagree

16. I am interested in finding the following types of health information on the Internet.

Diseases Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Preventive Medicine Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Definitions of terms Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Referrals to doctors Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Full-text health articles Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Clinical trials Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Other

17. At what reading level would you like health information to be presented?

Medical/Professional Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Scholarly/Academic Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Layman's (everyday) terms Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Easy reading/adult Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Children's Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Other
18. My age: Up to 18 18-24 25-40 41-55 56-70 71 and above

19. I am in the health field, either professionally or as a student. Yes No

20. I search for health information for the following: (Check all that apply):
   Self Children    Siblings Patient, client, patron, etc.
   Spouse/ Significant Other Parent(s) Friends Other  
21. I am a resident of Western Maryland (Allegany, Garrett, or Washington counties)?
Yes No
If not, I live in:
22. If you are a librarian, please respond: I am familiar with reference interview techniques for helping patrons find health-related information.
Strongly Agree Slightly Agree Slightly Disagree    Strongly Disagree

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This Needs Assessment was developed by the
Consortium of Health Information Library (CHIL-out)
and Western Maryland Area Health Education Center
11 Columbia Street
Cumberland, MD  21502

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Spalding Edgerly.