Analysis of the perception of users in relation to the services offered by the hospital library in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

It addresses research carried out within the Hospital Library. The objective is to present the users' perception of the services offered by the hospital library in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic through research applied to the clinical staff in relation to the services provided in a Hospital library. The justification refers to the importance of understanding the use of the library by members of the medical team who attended or not patients with COVID-19 in a private hospital of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The methodology refers to quantitative-qualitative research using an online questionnaire prepared in Google Forms, conducted at the Library, located at Hospital Felício Rocho. In the semi-structured questionnaires composed of 13 questions, the Likert rating scale was used. The variables collected were: gender, age, specialty, computer knowledge, category of work in the clinical staff, evaluation and use of library services in the search for information about COVID-19. The questionnaires were applied between October 2020 and May 2021.Research participants were physicians and hospital residents. The research was approved by the local Ethics Committee. One hundred and seventy-one physicians and residents (71.2% of 240) who reported using library services. The most representative way of using the hospital library was face-to-face, corresponding to 141 (82.5%). However, the same user may have used the library services in more than one way. Regarding the frequency in which they seek information about health in other institutions, the majority 37.4% (64) said they do so occasionally. Regarding the question about satisfaction, the majority, representing 59.1% (101) answered being very satisfied. Regarding the use of services to obtain information about COVID-19, about 43.3% sought information about COVID-19. On the other hand, the most demanded services of the Hospital Library, the use of computers (31.6%), followed by access to a source of Evidence-Based Medicine (UpToDate®) (21.1%) stands out. Regarding the satisfaction of library services, with regard to the information obtained about COVID-19, 59.1% (101) responded being very satisfied and 38% (65) responded being satisfied. In the qualitative part of the research, the participants were asked, in the form of an open question, suggestions for improving the services of the Library and the main answers were: Provide free printing and copying service; Have environments for individual study and collective study; Prepare material on information sources; Make e-books available. Improve WiFi. We conclude that the users of the Hospital Library are satisfied with the services offered in the face of the pandemic. Suggestions for improvements will be important for the continuity and improvement of the Library. This study is important because it presents a scenario of performance of the Clinical Librarian in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to carry out future studies to analyze the information skills and training needed for Librarians in pandemic contexts.