Professional learning mediated by online specialised information sources: Utilising activity theory to understand tension in practice

Online specialised information sources such as journals and health and medical databases are utilised by health professionals as mediating tools for updating professional knowledge. Using an activity theory framework and drawing upon survey data, this study examined the influence of workplace configuration of physical access to the Internet and practitioners' reported workplace ease of access to online specialised information sources on frequency of use of these mediating tools. This study showed that increased effective access in the workplace is positively associated with increased frequency of use of electronic journals and health and medical databases. To support health professionals update their knowledge, it is recommended organisations increase effective access of specialised online information sources through the universal inclusion of Internet access onto workplace computers