Responding to Health Information and Training Needs of Individuals with Disabilities

• Published in: Journal of consumer health on the Internet 2010-01, Vol.14 (1), p.23-32
• Main Authors: Geiger, Brian F., O'Neal, Marcia R., Smith, Kay Hogan, Evans, Retta R., Jackson, Jeri B., Firsing, Stephen L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Caregivers; Cognitive ability; cognitive disabilities; Consumer health information; Disabled people; Health care; health care providers; Health informatics; Internet access; online health information; People with disabilities; physical disabilities; surveys; User services
• ISSN: 1539-8285; 1539-8293
• DOI: 10.1080/02763860903543130

The role of a medical librarian includes guiding consumers to search for information related to specific health needs and interpret information for personal use. Little is known about barriers to accessing health information and clinical services for those with cognitive and physical disabilities. The purpose of this article is to describe a statewide needs assessment of the health information and services needs of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Data from the needs assessment conducted by the Health Services Training Project of more than 1,000 respondents indicate unmet needs for outreach to increase effective use of library and information resources. Fewer consumers and their caregivers utilized the Internet to search for health information as compared to clinical service providers and students in health professions. A majority of consumers reported difficulty obtaining and understanding online health information. Service providers and students shared concerns about information quality. Consumers and caregivers expressed highest levels of trust in information provided by service providers, nonprofit health agencies, reference books, and libraries.