NHS and Social Care Interface: a Study of Social Workers’ Library and Information Needs

Abstract

This article reports on a study of the information needs of social workers based in an acute NHS Trust. The perceived gap in library and information service provision is reviewed, and future models of service delivery are proposed. The social workers were part of the multi-disciplinary team within each hospital. The methods of data collection were a questionnaire, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Results suggest that the social workers were information poor in terms of access to information sources and yet information to assist their role was required on a wide range of subjects. Also, information skills, including an understanding of libraries and services amongst the sample population, needed updating and developing. Lack of Internet access was a significant barrier to obtaining information. Little evidence of a research culture was found; information seeking tended to be verbal via face-to-face contact. Conclusions emerging from the research indicate that a closer working relationship between NHS librarians and social workers is required to promote a better understanding and acknowledgement of the specific needs of this client group. The need for information resources to be developed on key topics has been highlighted. A robust IT infrastructure is required to enable easy and rapid access to the knowledge base from the desktop. This should be augmented by the provision of information skills training. Finally, this research found that a cultural shift is required if social care decisions are to be based on the best available evidence.