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Health Informatics Journal
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Web-based provision of information on infectious diseases: a systems study

Anjana Roy

National Knowledge Service -TB Pilot, Health Protection Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ, UK, Anjana.Roy{at}hpa.org.uk

Patty Kostkova

City eHealth Research Centre, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK, patty{at}soi.city.ac.uk

Michael Catchpole

Health Protection Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ, UK, Mike.Catchpole{at}hpa.org.uk

Ewart Carson

Centre for Health Informatics, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK, e.r.carson{at}city.ac.uk

The National electronic Library for Health (NeLH) is an Internet medical information resources portal, principally for healthcare professionals, within which the National electronic Library of Infection (NeLI) is one of NeLH Specialist Libraries providing evidence on infectious diseases. In this article, we describe a systems-based evaluation of NeLI based on a soft systems methodology. User feedback and other data for the analysis were obtained using online questionnaires. This evaluation, which is a pilot study aimed at demonstrating proof of concept, provided evidence for improving three systems that are crucial to effective NeLI provision. These are navigation of the site, quality and tagging of information provided by NeLI, and information regarding users and their usage of the system. On the basis of a soft systems analysis, an action plan was formulated identifying areas where improvement is needed. Actions for consideration included simplifying terminologies to improve the navigation, enhancing the provision of research assessments, quality tagging NeLI documents, provided by experts in the field, and attracting a broader cross-section of healthcare professional user.

Key Words: infectious diseases • National electronic Library for Health • National electronic Library of Infection • systems study • web-based information

Health Informatics Journal, Vol. 12, No. 4, 274-292 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1460458206069760
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