Identifying Obstacles towards the Role-playing of Medical Librarians in Facilitating the Scientific Communication among Physicians and Paramedical Practitioners based on the Viewpoint of Bushehr Medical Professionals, Iran: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: As physicians have not sufficient time for updating their clinical information, medical librarians could play an important role to satisfy their needs. This study aimed to identify the obstacles towards the role-playing of medical librarians in facilitating the scientific communications among physicians and paramedical practitioners based on the viewpoint of medical professionals in Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Interviews were continued until all relevant themes and domains saturated. Sampling was done purposefully. In this study, 10 physicians and paramedical practitioners were chosen to ask the questions. Results: According to the interviews, five barriers were identified entitled attitude, individual, structural, technical, and organizational aspects towards the role-playing of medical librarians in facilitating the scientific communications among physicians and paramedical practitioners. The most important obstacle was a personal obstacle. Conclusion: Using the results of this research and the identified challenges, it is possible to use the structural and organizational reforms as well as changes in attitudinal and behavioral factors to facilitate the scientific communication between physicians and paramedical staff of the Shohada of Persian Gulf Hospital in Bushehr. The results of this study can be used to solve the organizational problems of libraries. Moreover, this research can be used to formulate a plan for personal training of medical librarians.

Keywords

• Scholarly Communication
• Medical Librarians
• Paramedical Personnel
• Physicians