Accessing health information in a hospital setting: a consumer views study

Abstract

Meeting consumers' needs for health information is an important role for all health professionals. A Consumer Views Study was conducted at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC)to ensure strategies for improving access to health information for staff and consumers were congruent with consumers' views. Semi-structured questionnaires were completed by 100 consumers of FMC services. A key finding was the strong preference consumers have for accessing health information through staff members, which confirms the important part that education plays in information provision. A concern was that less than half of the participants were provided with written information. This could be indicative of the difficulties staff have in accessing health information to provide to consumers. Results also showed the important role General Practitioners (GPs) have in providing health information to consumers. Findings have helped shape strategies that focus on coordinated electronic access to quality health information, which will support staff in accessing and providing health information to consumers, and improve direct access to health information for consumers.