Informing the public about health and sickness: the role of libraries

Abstract

Public demand for health and sickness information was measured amongst 274 outpatients or their caregivers from nine clinics in Wellington Public Hospital. Respondents were asked whether they felt they knew enough about their illness and treatment, and where they had obtained their information. Almost half expressed a wish for more illness information; two-fifths wanted to know more about their treatment. A generational trend in satisfaction with information was evident: younger people were less satisfied than people over 60. Health professionals, the hospital doctor in particular, were the most important source of information; informal personal contacts were also widely used. The outpatients obtained their information from up to 16 sources, almost 20% of the sample using more than six sources. Public demand for health and sickness information was also measured in Wellington Public Library through subject inquiries, non-fiction issues, returns, reserves and interlibrary lending. Demand ranged from 3% to 18% of total information sought. Higher percentages were recorded in the branches than in the central city library. More requests for wellness than illness information were made, and the typical inquirer was a European woman aged between 20 and 39. It is considered that the demand revealed in both surveys is notable, and attention should be paid by libraries to the adequacy of their services in this area. Some practical responses are suggested which draw heavily on the experience of libraries in other countries in providing health and sickness information to the public.