CLINICAL INFORMATION NEEDS AND DIAGNOSTIC DECISION-MAKING IN NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS: THE ROLE OF PATIENT DATA MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between information needs and information-seeking behaviour of medical doctors in government-owned hospitals in Cross River State, Nigeria. The objectives include clinical information needs, diagnostic information needs and patient data information needs and the relationship with their information-seeking behaviour of Medical Doctors. Three research questions and three research hypotheses were formulated and tested. Survey research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised all Medical Doctors in government-owned hospitals in Cross River State, totalling 530 Medical Doctors distributed across different government-owned hospitals. The instrument adopted for the study was a 35-item structured Questionnaire titled “nformation Needs and Information-Seeking Behaviour of Medical Doctors Scale”. The study establishes the validity and reliability of the instrument through face validation and a trial testing process, yielding a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.74. The instrument was administered through purposive and accidental sampling technique. A 4-point likert type scale was used for scoring. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson product-moment correlation for individual hypotheses and multiple regressions for the composite effect of information needs on information- seeking behaviour. The findings reveal significant positive relationships between various information needs and the information-seeking behaviour of Medical Doctors. Clinical information needs, diagnostic information needs and patient data information needs are all positively relate with the information-seeking behaviour of Medical Doctors. The study emphasizes the dynamic nature of medical information needs and the crucial role they play in shaping the information-seeking behaviour of Medical Doctors. The recommendations include enhancing access to medical resources, organizing workshops on technology integration, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and providing support services for medical professionals. Suggestions for further research involve exploring other variables, conducting similar studies in different areas, and replicating the study with diverse populations for broader generalization