The University of Queensland Library  
      Medical Students’ Use of Information
 
 
 

Survey:
Medical Students’ Use of Information for Their Studies

The University of Queensland Library is undertaking research into how medical students use information for their studies, with a focus on the resources and services provided by the Library. The following online survey and the conducting of focus groups will constitute two parts of this research.

All Medical students of The University of Queensland are invited to participate on a voluntary basis, in this online survey, the first stage of the research, which will run in the week beginning June 30 2008. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

You are asked to read this online information sheet and consent form that outlines the objectives of the research, the processes that will be used, how the findings will be used and the confidentiality of the information provided.

Aims of the research
The research aims to find out how medical students use information for their studies, with a focus on the resources and services provided by the Library. Over the past eleven years, various changes within the School of Medicine have impacted on the students’ use of Library services such as the introduction of the graduate entry program with an emphasis on problem based learning, evidence-based medicine and online learning resources; increased student numbers and the creation of Clinical Schools. This has taken place within a context of major changes in the availability and delivery of information, driven largely by information and communication technology developments.

The survey results will be collated and analysed by the project investigators who will select questions to ask participants in focus groups to explore further the survey findings. In August 2008, the Library will call for volunteer students to participate in focus groups, of duration no more than an hour, to be held in the Library. Refreshments will be provided to participants attending the focus groups. The transcribed texts from these groups will be analysed.

Use of findings
Knowledge of how students work with information and how they use Library resources and services is important for the Library in its efforts to “enhance the student experience” (Library Strategic Plan) within its overall mission of enriching world-class scholarship at the University. This improved understanding will enable enhanced delivery of Library services to medical students.

A comprehensive report of the findings of the research will be made available to participants and other interested persons.

Privacy and confidentiality
The University respects your right to privacy. Any information obtained in connection with this research will be de-identified when analysed and used in reporting. Data collected will be stored securely, with access limited to members of the research team, and will remain confidential to the research team.

If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw your consent and to discontinue your participation at any point.

University of Queensland Ethical Paragraph:
“This study has been cleared by one of the human ethics committees of the University of Queensland in accordance with the national Health and Medical Research Council’s guidelines. You are of course free to discuss your participation in this study with project staff (contactable on 4633 9713), if you would like to speak to an officer of the University not involved in the study, you may contact the Ethics Officer on 3365 3924.”

Contact Details:
Chief Investigator
  Senior Manager Health Sciences Library Services
  Ms Lisa Kruesi
  Phone: 3365 5354
  Email: l.kruesi@library.uq.edu.au
 
Project Co-Ordinator
  Liaison Librarian, Rural Clinical School
  Mrs Kaye Lasserre
  Phone: 4633 9713
  Email: k.lasserre@library.uq.edu.au
  
Co-Investigators
  Ms Nicola Foxlee
  Manager, Joint Princess Alexandra Hospital/UQ Library
 
  Ms Jill McTaggart
  Liaison Librarian, Joint Princess Alexandra Hospital/UQ Library
 
  Ms Julie Walters
  Liaison Librarian, UQ/Mater McAuley Library

Consent to participate in this research

If you have read the information above, and agree to participate in this research, please continue to the form below. Submission of the form will imply your agreement to participate.

Prize Draw
At the end of this survey form you are given the option to provide your student number to go in the running for a free gigabyte Internet download card or a $100 copy credit card (there are 12 cards to be won). Please be assured that your student number will be stored for the draw in a database table completely separate from your survey responses, and that there is absolutely no way that they can be associated. The draw is planned for 2pm, July 14, so be quick to be in with a chance!

Section One: General Information

1.1 What year of the MBBS Program are you in?
One   Two  Three  Four 
1.2 What rotations have you completed? (please check all boxes that apply)
None as yet — I am a year 1 or 2 student
Rural Medicine
Surgery
Mental Health
General Practice and Community
Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Paediatrics
Elective
Specialties 1(Medicine)
Specialties 2 (Surgical)
1.3 What Clinical School do you belong to?
None as yet — I am a year 1 or 2 student
Ipswich Clinical School
Sunshine Coast Clinical School (Nambour Hospital)
Northside Clinical School (Prince Charles Hospital, Caboolture and Redcliffe Hospitals)
RBWH/RCH Clinical School
PAH and Mater Clinical School (including Greenslopes, QEII and Redlands Hospitals)
Rural Clinical School
I don’t know

Section 2: Information Technology Access

2.1 Do you own the following (Please check all boxes that apply):
Laptop or Tablet PC
Desktop PC
Handheld Personal Digital Assistant (eg Palm, Pocket PC, Smart phone, Blackberry)
None of the above
2.2 Do you have broadband Internet access at home?
Yes   No

Section 3: Using UQ Libraries

3.1 In your current year, approximately how often do you visit these University of Queensland Library branches?
  More than once a day Once a day More than once a week Weekly Monthly Less than once a month Never
Biological Sciences Library
Herston Health Sciences Library
Ipswich
Joint UQ/Princess Alexandra Hospital Library
Rural Clinical School
UQ/Mater McAuley Library
3.2 What are your three main reasons for visiting the Library?
Borrow books
Use books and journals in the Library
Use the High Use collection
Use a bookable room
Use a computer
Meet friends
Private study/research
Group work
For quiet time/space
Other (please specify)

Section 4: Textbooks in PBL Rooms

4.1 Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with the following statement on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly agree I do not use the PBL Rooms
The availability of print textbooks in the PBLs rooms is essential to my study.
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
4.2 Please specify which books are particularly useful.
4.3 Please indicate whether you would prefer to have access to the electronic version of the books rather than the print.
Electronic version
Print version
Please comment on your response.

Section 5: UQ Textbooks at Non-UQ Libraries

5.1 UQ collections of essential texts from the MBBS Program textbook list have been added to the following hospital libraries. How often do you use these collections?
  More than once a day Once a day More than once a week Weekly Monthly Less than once a month Never
Caboolture
Greenslopes
Ipswich General
Nambour
Prince Charles
QEII
Redcliffe
Redlands
5.2 Have you encountered any problems with accessing these collections? (Please comment)

Section 6: Bibliographic Reference Software

6. Do you use any of the following bibliographic reference software? (Please check all boxes that apply)
Endnote
Endnote Web
RefWorks
Quosa
Other (please specify)
None

Section 7: Document Delivery Service

7. Approximately how many journal articles have you requested through the document delivery service this year?
0   1   2   3   More than 3

Section 8: Library website and Recommended Readings

8. On average, how often do you use the following?
  More than once a day Once a day More than once a week Weekly Monthly Less than once a month Never
The Core MBBS Information Resources Website http://www.library.uq.edu.au/mbbs/
(the Library’s portal to key medical resources eg AccessMedicine, MDConsult etc)
The Library website http://www.library.uq.edu.au
Online recommended PBL readings listed under 'Library References' on the MBBS Portal?
Please comment on your responses.

Section 9: Using Electronic and Print Information Resources

9.1 When you need an overview of a medical condition what is the first information source you tend to use (excluding human resources such as teaching doctors, fellow students)?
9.2 If a book is available both electronically and in print, which would you prefer to use?
Electronic version
Print version
Please comment on your response.
9.3 Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with the following statements on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
  Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly agree
All of the essential and recommended textbooks on the MBBS Program textbook list are useful.
1
2
3
4
5
The print books available at the UQ Library support my studies.
1
2
3
4
5
The print books I prefer to use are generally available to borrow at the UQ Libraries when I need them.
1
2
3
4
5
The electronic resources provided by the UQ Library support my studies.
1
2
3
4
5
I can quickly find relevant quality information to answer my questions using the Library’s electronic resources.
1
2
3
4
5
I can access the full text of most needed journal articles easily.
1
2
3
4
5
Please comment on your responses.
9.4 Please describe any difficulties you experience when trying to use the Library’s electronic resources.
9.5 For each of the electronic resources listed below, please indicate your level or disagreement with the following statement: This resource or tool is useful in supporting my studies.
Resource or tool This resource or tool is useful in supporting my studies.
Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly agree I have not used this resource or tool.
Bibliographic databases
Embase
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Medline (OVID)
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
PubMed
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Drug Information
AMH (web version)
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Micromedex
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
MIMS online
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Therapeutic Guidelines (web version)
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
EBM Resources
ACP Medicine
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Bandolier
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Clinical Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Cochrane Library
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
PubMed Clinical Queries
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
TRIP
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Integrated Services (Books etc)
Access Medicine
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
MD Consult
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Stat Ref
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Journal Articles
Journal Articles
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Multimedia
ACS Surgery
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Anatomy.TV
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Bates guide to physical examination
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Images.MD
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
General Web Resources
Google
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Google Scholar
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Wikipedia
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Point of Care Resources
First Consult
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
UpToDate
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Murtagh's General Practice Series
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Quick Reference
eMedicine
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Merck Manual
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Print Resources
General medicine books (eg print Harrison's, Kumar and Clark)
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Pocket version of general medicine books (eg print Harrison’s manual of medicine)
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Series books (eg Crash course, At a glance)
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
Exam preparation books (eg Self-assessment in clinical medicine)
1
2
3
4
5
n/a
9.6 Which of the series books have you used and would use again? (Please check all boxes that apply)
ABC of
Lecture notes
Crash course
At a glance
In a page
High yield
Recall
Secrets
Illustrated colour text
Case files
Flesh & Bones
Elsevier's integrated series
Blueprints
On call
SOAP
One stop doc
Clinical cases
Fast facts
In focus
Other (please specify)
None of the above

Section 10: Library Training

10.1 Have you attended Library training classes?
Yes – Attendance was required
Yes – I attended because I felt it would help with my studies
No – I have not felt the need to do so
No – I did not know they were available
No – Scheduling did not suit me
No - I prefer to learn via online tutorials
10.2 Please indicate in what areas you think you may benefit from Library training? (Please check all boxes that apply)
Searching bibliographic databases
Endnote
Other (please specify)
None
10.3 Please indicate how you would like the training delivered? (Please check all boxes that apply)
Face to face as part of my course
Face to face formal classes external to course
Online tutorials
Ask questions as they arise and receive training (ie at Library desk, make time with Librarian, Ask A Librarian online services — chat or email )
Other (please specify)
None of the above

Section 11: Literature Searching Skills

11. When searching bibliographic databases such as Medline please indicate which of the following techniques you use? (Please check all boxes that apply)
Searching using subject headings (eg MESH)
Combining search terms with Boolean operators (eg AND, OR)
Using history to combine search sets with Boolean operators (eg AND,OR)
Setting limits
Saving results
Setting up saved searches
Setting up email or RSS alerts for search results
Exporting results to Endnote
Linking to full text journal articles via the bibliographic database
None of the above

Section 12: Communication Methods and General Feedback

12.1 How would you like to receive news (eg about new resources) from the Library? (Please check all boxes that apply)
Email
Blog
SMS
Print signs/flyers/bookmarks
Large screens in the library
None of the above
12.2 Please provide any other comments/suggestions you would like to make about the Library resources and services.

Thank you for completing this survey.

If you wish to enter the draw for a free gigabyte Internet download card or a $100 copy credit card (there are 12 cards to be won) please enter your student id number here: . Please be assured that it will be stored separately and will in no way be associated with your responses.

 
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Maintained by: UQ Library
  Last Updated: Monday, 7 July 2008.