Information-seeking behaviour of occupational therapists : An interview study at a rehabilitation clinic

This thesis deals with the information-seeking behaviour of occupational therapists. Focus was on three different aspects of information-seeking behaviour. The purpose was to investigate how occupational therapists conceive of work-related information needs, their choice and use of formal and informal information sources and their use of the hospital library. Twelve interviews with occupational therapists were conducted at a rehabilitation clinic in a hospital. The theoretical frame consists of a general model of the information-seeking of professionals by Leckie, Pettigrew and Sylvain. To characterize the various information sources and information needs, two other models was used as a complement in relation to the general model. The study shows that occupational therapists experience a range of information needs due to different work roles and associated tasks. The information needs were mainly of two different kinds: information needs due to clinical praxis and information needs of a more general character. These information needs were both on an regularly and a temporary basis. To meet the information needs, occupational therapists use a wide range of internal and external, informal and formal information sources. The study also shows that the interviewed occupational therapists gave the hospital library three different roles or functions.Uppsatsnivå: