Iceland’s National Information Infrastructure

This article discusses Iceland's national information infrastructure in the year 2000. It focuses on the current information policy and legislation of the country. It looks at this policy as it is presented in government publications from the last 5 years and evaluates its effects, with particular regard to the education, culture and health sectors. It describes the foundation of a nationwide health database in Iceland, which was established by an Act of Parliament taking force on 1 January 1999. The idea for this database came from deCODE, a company that proposes to make use of the homogeneity and the vast genealogical information of the Icelandic nation to develop better drugs for common diseases. The company is a genomics research company, and is currently working with Hoffmann La-Roche. It has gained a 12-year monopoly on building such a database, the formation of which brings up many ethical questions, and also new possibilities for health management.     

Journals indexed by the AHA Resource Center for Hospital Literature Index and HEALTH database

The American Hospital Association (AHA) Resource Center indexes journals for the Health Planning and Administration (HEALTH) database and Hospital Literature Index (HLI). These journals, designated special list health journals, are selected to provide access to a wide and balanced coverage of hospital and health care administration and health policy literature. This article provides background information on HEALTH and HLI and describes special list health journals in detail (including historical information, information sources, and broad subject divisions). It also discusses AHA policies relating to journal and article selection and current subject distribution of special list health journals.     

The state of consumer health information: an overview

Background: Consumer health information is becoming increasingly important and health policy in the UK is beginning to reflect this. This has implications for information producers, providers and users, with the move towards a more patient‐centred health service. Objectives: This review aims to provide a broad overview of the current state of consumer health information in the UK. It examines the changing roles of information producers, providers and users, exploring the impact of health literacy and new technologies. It features some of the current library and consumer health information projects taking place in the UK and discusses the role that libraries may play in the future. Methods: The article focuses on consumer health information in a policy context. It is based on the experiences of the authors' work for the Patient Information Forum and knowledge of consumer health information. A number of library and information professionals were consulted regarding the library and information projects. Conclusions: Communication between health professionals and patients, and between health educators and the public, is key in order for consumer health information to have the ability to improve health outcomes. Further, especially local, investment into the production, distribution and delivery of consumer health information is recommended.     

Euroethics--a database network on biomedical ethics

BACKGROUND: EUROETHICS is a database covering European literature on ethics in medicine. It is produced within Eurethnet, a European information network on ethics in medicine and biotechnology. OBJECTIVES: The aim of Euroethics is to disseminate information on European bioethical literature that may otherwise be difficult to find. METHODS: A collaboration model for pooling data from different centres was developed. The policy was to accomplish data uniformity, while still allowing for local differences in terms of software, indexing practices and resources. Records contributed to the database follow common standards in terms of data fields and indexing terms. The indexing terms derive from two thesauri, Thesaurus Ethics in the Life Sciences (TELS) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Combining elements from search tools developed previously, the developers sought to find a technical solution optimized for this data model. An approach relying on a thesaurus database that is loaded along with the bibliographic database is described. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The present case study offers examples of possible approaches to several tasks often encountered in database development, such as: merging data from diverse sources, getting the most out of indexing terms used in a database, and handling more than one thesaurus in the same system.     

RSS技术在移动图书馆新书推荐系统中的应用与实现

在研究RSS技术和手机软件开发技术的基础上,以浙江工业大学图书馆新书推荐服务为例,介绍使用Oracle数据库、JSP编程语言、J2ME (嵌入式的Java语言平台)语言平台和Sun公司的WTK(无线开发工具)包,在手机上实现查阅图书馆RSS新书推荐的功能,成功地将RSS技术应用在移动图书馆新书推荐系统中。     

Comparison of bibliographic databases for information on the rehabilitation of people with severe mental illness

OBJECTIVE: The research sought to examine the overlap in coverage between several health-related databases, thus enabling the identification of the most important sources for searching for information on the rehabilitation of people with severe mental illness. METHODS: The literature was searched within a systematic review. Several health-related databases were retrieved (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycLIT, Sociofile, and Social Science Citation Index), noting their source and comparing results retrieved from each database. FINDINGS: The total number of studies retrieved from each database varied. Almost a third of the papers retrieved from each database were unique to that source. Forty-two percent of the papers were only found in one database. Restricting a search to one database alone would miss many papers and could affect the results of a systematic review. PsycLIT was the most useful database for this topic area, containing 44% of the papers. MEDLINE, the database of first choice for many health professionals, held only 29%. CONCLUSIONS: No database was determined to be significantly more useful than any other--each warranted inclusion in the study. Reliance cannot be placed on one database alone, and other methods such as hand searching should also be used. Although this may not be new information for information professionals, it is likely to be new for health professionals and researchers who are increasingly performing their own literature searches. Information professionals have an important role to play in conveying this message to those outside their profession.     

Innovations online

The St. Albans Primary Care Information Service (STAPCIS) is a database of locally focused information designed to be of use for GPs and the Primary Care team as a whole in a particular area. It is currently being used by practices in the St. Albans, Dacorum and Watford & Three Rivers Primary Care Groups. STAPCIS developed from a project initiated in late 1997 to pilot the use of the WAX software to improve access to directory‐type and full‐text material needed for easy access by primary care staff and traditionally difficult to manage. The database is updated centrally by the STAPCIS Librarian who distributes the new editions to the practices. The WAX software itself was developed by the Cambridge Centre for Clinical Informatics. ^* * The Cambridge Centre for Clinical Informatics no longer deal with the software, a new company (WaX Info Ltd.) is now marketing the new version of WaX. The Cambridge Centre for Clinical Informatics Web site is still available for those needing information about the older version < http://www.medinfo.cam.ac.uk/wax/Default_old.asp >
STAPCIS contains locally and nationally produced relevant information from a variety of sources, including full‐text clinical guidelines and directories of Trusts. Decisions on new content are made by a Steering Group and the GPs and Primary Care teams are particularly encouraged to make suggestions regarding new content. The service is financially supported by the three primary care groups. The STAPCIS Librarian is project‐managed by the Library & Information Development Unit (North Thames < http://www.nthames‐health.tpmde.ac.uk/rliu/ntrliu.htm >), which also provides additional equipment and expertise. A new software company, WaX Info Ltd (< http://www.waxinfo.com/ >), will soon be releasing a new version of the software, WaX. WaX consists of a WaX client and WaX ActiveLibrary server software. With the new version, the ‘books’ of information will still be stored on the user’s PC, retaining the speed of access, but the server will enable users to ‘borrow’ books from remote locations and will provide automatic updates of all books. The new software will improve the management and distribution processes of STAPCIS once all of the practices have Internet connectivity.     

江西省企业创新信息服务发展对策

江西省企业对科技政策不了解,与高校和科研机构联系不紧密,严重影响了企业创新能力。而这些问题可以通过适当的信息服务来解决。文章在分析了江西省企业创新信息服务现状的基础上,提出了相应的发展对策。     

基于WOS的互联网信息政策分析

本研究总结国外互联网信息政策领域的研究进展和经验,为我国互联网信息政策体系发展和构建提供参考。研究以Web of Science数据库为数据源,运用可视化分析软件CiteSpace对2000—2015年间收录的互联网信息政策论文从国家、作者、机构、关键词等多个角度绘制互联网信息政策领域的知识图谱,通过分析可以看出国外互联网信息政策的研究态势和研究成果,相比国外,我国互联网信息政策法律不齐全,信息政策研究有待加深,必须在吸收借鉴国外先进经验的基础上结合我国互联网国情,制定互联网法律政策。     

OTseeker helps library and allied health professionals to find quality evidence efficiently

Background: Research is essential for evidence‐based practice yet many health professionals do not have enough time to find research. Studies relevant to occupational therapists can be particularly difficult to find. Most search engines are broad and return a large number of irrelevant articles. Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of Evidence (OTseeker) is an occupational therapy database available at http://www.otseeker.com . Developed by Australian occupational therapists, the resource aims to increase access to research and support clinical decision making. This discipline‐specific database contains pre‐appraised information from a variety of sources and decreases the time required to locate best evidence. Objectives: The aims of this paper are to: (i) describe how health librarians can use OTseeker to help allied health students, researchers and practitioners, particularly in occupational therapy, to find quality evidence; (ii) provide a teaching resource for health librarians based around the OTseeker evidence database; and (iii) highlight new features contained on the OTseeker database. Methods: A case study is provided which focuses on searching for evidence on the effectiveness of upper limb rehabilitation after stroke using OTseeker. Conclusion: This paper may increase the knowledge, skills and competencies of health librarians, helping them to access evidence‐based databases, and educate other professionals.     

EMBASE—Theexcerpta medica database: Quick and comprehensive drug information

EMBASE is published by the Secondary Publishing Division of Elsevier Science B.V., the Dutch-based publishing company that is now part of the Reed Elsevier family. From its origins in 1946 (as a biomedical information service producing the Excerpta Medica Abstract Journals), EMBASE has developed into a major biomedical database with particular emphasis on coverage of drugs and chemicals. It is available via major online vendors, selected academic networks, and CD-ROM, and is also sold (as subsets) to individual corporate customers.     

(12) The Public Library Situation in Indonesia

This article discusses information policy disputes in Iceland in the last years. Information policy in Iceland has three main strands. The first is the policy laid out by the government in 1995 and 1996, mainly defining the public sector as a buyer of information services. This policy gave the new information industries wide berth to make them better suited to create new jobs. Within that broad policy, individual ministries had scope to form their own policies. The Ministry for Education, Culture and Science has used the opportunity to subscribe nationally to a host of databases. The second strand is the Health Sector Database which sprang from a business idea and has been controversial ever since. The third strand is personal data protection and privacy, where Iceland follows Europe closely. Since the main field of dispute has been the formation of the Health Sector Database, a great part of the article discusses legal, ethical and social questions concerning that database.     

Information Policy Disputes in Iceland

This article discusses information policy disputes in Iceland in the last years. Information policy in Iceland has three main strands. The first is the policy laid out by the government in 1995 and 1996, mainly defining the public sector as a buyer of information services. This policy gave the new information industries wide berth to make them better suited to create new jobs. Within that broad policy, individual ministries had scope to form their own policies. The Ministry for Education, Culture and Science has used the opportunity to subscribe nationally to a host of databases. The second strand is the Health Sector Database which sprang from a business idea and has been controversial ever since. The third strand is personal data protection and privacy, where Iceland follows Europe closely. Since the main field of dispute has been the formation of the Health Sector Database, a great part of the article discusses legal, ethical and social questions concerning that database.     

Health Index Plus: a CD-ROM product for consumer health information

Health Index Plus, a consumer health information CD-ROM database, was field-tested by staff and patrons at a public library in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Ease-of-use, database content and quality, and appropriateness for audience were evaluated. Overall, patrons found the database simple to use. The contents focus on topics of popular interest and provide access to scientific material that is normally not available or comprehended by many public library users. Although some indexing problems and other shortcomings were noted, the database is recommended for public and other libraries providing consumer health information.     

国内外政府信息资源协作管理研究进展

指出目前政府信息资源管理的主体已经从单一的政府部门拓展到公司、企业、第三部门,甚至社会公众,众多主体分工合作发挥着协同效应。梳理国内外政府信息资源协作管理的研究进展,从管理方式、模型与体制、政策等方面揭示政府信息资源协作管理研究的发展轨迹。     

The health periodicals database: full-text access to consumer and technical health information

The HEALTH PERIODICALS DATABASE, produced by the Information Access Company, is a unique online file which provides full-text access to both general interest health-related literature and key technical resources in the medical field. Available on DIALOG and CompuServe, the database is described as a useful tool for information on the health, fitness, and nutrition industries. Special features of the database are reviewed and comparisons are made with resources of similar scope.     

Accessing public health information: a preliminary comparison of CABI's global health database and medline

Background: Access to a comprehensive public health index or database has been identified as problematic for health professionals. Public health literature contains many varied sources including reports, journal articles, and grey literature. Traditional biomedical databases such as medline often do not meet the needs of public health workers and researchers. Aim/Methods: The aim of the study was to examine the unique content of the global health database, by comparing it to the medline database. Pre‐determined terms were used as baseline comparators where controlled vocabulary definitions in each database were sufficiently matched. Retrieved results were stored and compared using EndNote libraries. Results: Results obtained from the terms used in the comparison study protocol suggest that the global health database holds a high proportion of unique records in comparison to medline . The largest overlap of duplicates from the global health database perspective came from the coccidiomycosis results set which contained 70.5% of references retrieved from both databases. Analyzing the results from a medline perspective, the subject with the largest overlap was dengue, with a 43% overlap. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the global health database is complimentary to medline in the subject areas of public health and global health.     

Internet in the workplace: censorship, liability, and freedom of speech

Most hospital medical libraries are supported by private, corporate funds and thus fall under the corporation's policies in regard to discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment. With the free flow of information available on the Internet and through e-mail, it is mandatory to create a corporate policy for appropriate use and review of materials. Access to "questionable" or inappropriate Internet sites is not a freedom of speech issue in a private corporation; it is a potential liability for the corporation, the library, and the librarian. It is also a misuse of company resources.     

使用Telnet检索CARL信息查询系统

本文介绍了在Internet 上用Telnet 进行信息查询的一种途径。由此途径可很方便地查询Internet 上最大的书目信息服务系统, 包括17000 种期刊, 420 个图书馆目录、20 种商业数据库和15 万个公司等的信息。希望能对开发利用Internet 上的信息资源有所帮助。     

Consumer health information seeking in social media: a literature review

Objective

The objective of this literature review was to summarise current research regarding how consumers seek health‐related information from social media. Primarily, we hope to reveal characteristics of existing studies investigating the health topics that consumers have discussed in social media, ascertaining the roles social media have played in consumers’ information‐seeking processes and discussing the potential benefits and concerns of accessing consumer health information in social media.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection database was searched for existing literature on consumer health information seeking in social media. The search returned 214 articles, of which 21 met the eligibility criteria following review of full‐text documents.

Conclusion

Between 2011 and 2016, twenty‐one studies published explored various topics related to consumer information seeking in social media. These ranged from online discussions on specific diseases (e.g. diabetes) to public health concerns (e.g. pesticide residues). Consumers’ information needs vary depending on the health issues of interest. Benefits of health seeking on social media, in addition to filling a need for health information, include the social and emotional support health consumers gain from peer‐to‐peer interactions. These benefits, however, are tempered by concerns of information quality and authority and lead to decreased consumer engagement.