Information needs and seeking behavior of Pakistani Physicians

This paper aims to investigate the information need and seeking behaviour of physicians working in a well-reputed Lahore based hospital. Identification of medical professionals’ existing problems related to information searching and retrieval from the hospital library was another main objective of this study. A quantitative research approach is utilized to conduct this study and a cross-sectional survey research method is used to collect data on a self-reporting questionnaire. A total 226 medical doctors working in a Lahore based hospital participated in the survey. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the participants accessed the library information resources to keep themselves up-to-date with the professional developments and for the purpose of their continuing education. Moreover, majority of the respondents preferred print sources to fulfil their information needs. Problems, as well as suggestions are also presented in the study. This is the first study in nature which is conducted on medical doctors of a well- reputed Lahore based hospital to know their information needs, seeking behaviour and problems. Findings may be useful for the organizations offering medical services and library administration to better understand and meet the information need, seeking behaviour and problems of physicians which, as a result, might help physicians offer state-of-the-art services to patients and earn a good repute for their organization