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BQuestionnaire
To obtain input from a number of health professionals on their use of toxicology and environmental health information resources in general and their use of NLM databases specifically, the committee, in conjunction with health professional organizations, developed and disseminated a questionnaire. Several methods were used to distribute the questionnaire; however, the committee did not attempt to obtain a random scientific sample. The responses were viewed by the committee as indicative but not definitive.
Copies of the questionnaire along with background information on the IOM study were distributed to members of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, the American Association of Poison Control Centers, and the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC).1 Individuals who attended the committee's workshop (see Appendix C) also completed the questionnaire. To broaden the respondent base, the Internet was used to distribute an online version of the questionnaire to the subscribers of two Internet list servs 2 (mailing lists)—one on occupational and environmental medicine and the other sponsored by the American College of Medical Toxicology.
A total of 247 responses were received—77 online responses, 140 responses by mail, and 30 responses from the workshop. Because of the distribution of the
1
Each AOEC clinic was sent three questionnaires and was asked to distribute them to a physician, a nurse, and an industrial hygienist.
2
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Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole. Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
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Do not use for reproduction, copying, pasting, or reading; exclusively for search engines.
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B Questionnaire
To obtain input from a number of health professionals on their use of toxicology and environmental health information resources in general and their use of NLM databases specifically, the committee, in conjunction with health professional organizations, developed and disseminated a questionnaire. Several methods were used to distribute the questionnaire; however, the committee did not attempt to obtain a random scientific sample. The responses were viewed by the committee as indicative but not definitive.
Copies of the questionnaire along with background information on the IOM study were distributed to members of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, the American Association of Poison Control Centers, and the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC).1 Individuals who attended the committee's workshop (see Appendix C) also completed the questionnaire. To broaden the respondent base, the Internet was used to distribute an online version of the questionnaire to the subscribers of two Internet list servs 2 (mailing lists)—one on occupational and environmental medicine and the other sponsored by the American College of Medical Toxicology.
A total of 247 responses were received—77 online responses, 140 responses by mail, and 30 responses from the workshop. Because of the distribution of the
1
Each AOEC clinic was sent three questionnaires and was asked to distribute them to a physician, a nurse, and an industrial hygienist.
2
Listservs are subscription email networks that are focused on specific topic areas. Individuals subscribe to the listserv and then receive (and can send) email messages on the topic to other listserv members.
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questionnaire on the Internet, it was not possible to estimate the number of individuals who received a copy of the questionnaire but did not respond. Responses were received from 33 states and from 3 foreign countries.
As seen in the tabulation of the responses (see below), the majority of the respondents work in the field of occupational and environmental health, function in a clinical role, and are familiar with computers. Although the respondents expressed a preference for online information (Question 12), most respondents currently consult textbooks and reference materials when locating toxicology and environmental health information (Figure B.1). Other information resources used include commercial databases, poison control centers, colleagues, and the NLM databases. The health professionals who responded to the questionnaire use toxicology and environmental health information for a variety of purposes including patient care, teaching and education, worker safety, and risk analysis (Question 15).
The questionnaire posed a series of questions that were specific to use of the TEHIP databases. As seen in the responses to Question 16, TOXLINE/TOXLIT (followed by RTECS and HSDB) were the most familiar to the respondents. When asked specifically what factors limited the use of NLM's toxicology and environmental health databases, respondents pinpointed access to the databases as the major barrier, followed by training, search language, and the front-end interface (Figure B.2). It is noteworthy that 57 of the 247 respondents were not aware of the databases. The final question asked respondents to choose the one area that, if changed or improved, would make the databases more useful and accessible. Respondents again chose access to the databases as the leading area needing improvement, followed by database training, front-end interface, and search language.
The committee gained a great deal of input through the responses to the questionnaire and used the information, in conjunction with the summaries of focus group discussions (see Appendix C), input from guest speakers, and discussions with colleagues, to inform the committee's deliberations and decision making.
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FIGURE B.1 Toxicology and environmental health information resources most often consulted.
FIGURE B.2 Primary factors limiting use of the NLM toxicology and environmental health databases.
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Summary of Responses
Toxicology and Environmental Health Online Databases
The National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program is comprised of factual and bibliographic databases with a wide range of information including the toxicities of numerous chemicals. The Institute of Medicine (IOM), National Academy of Sciences, is currently conducting a study on strategies for increasing and improving the accessibility and availability of those NLM databases for the work of health professionals.
This survey questionnaire is designed to collect information on your awareness and use of the NLM toxicology and environmental health databases. Your input would greatly assist the IOM committee in its deliberations and would assist the National Library of Medicine in improving its Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program. A short synopsis of each database can be found in Question 16. Thank you for your time!
1.
Age or year of completion of undergraduate education: [Average age, 42.5]
2.
Please check the ONE category below that best describes the work you do.
Emergency medicine
19
Risk analysis or policy
1
Clinical/basic research
3
Health professional education
4
Library science/informatics
6
Community level organization
1
National advocacy organization
0
Industrial hygiene
17
Family care/primary care
7
Occupational/environ, health
147
Toxicology/pharmacology
1
Public health
10
Poison control
12
Other (please specify)
23
3.
In what setting do you primarily work?
Academic
111
Private for profit
47
Other (please specify)
17
Government
41
Private not-for-profit
30
4.
Do you see patients or function in a clinical role?
Yes
243
No
71
If yes: More than 20 hours per week
71
Less than 20 hours per week
81
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5.
Please indicate your training, check all that apply.
L.P.N.
1
CIH
3
P.A.
4
M.P.H.
69
R.N.
68
M.S.N.
5
M.D.
100
Ph.D.
33
Other (please specify)
60
6.
Do you use computers?
Yes
243
7.
How would you describe your computer skills/literacy?
None/Basic
33
Intermediate
174
Advanced
39
8.
Do you use the Internet?
Yes
192
9.
Do you search any online databases? Please indicate the extent of your online searching experience.
No online searching
61
Medline primarily but occasionally other online databases
100
Medline only
27
Numerous online databases
54
10.
How often on average do you need toxicology/environmental health information?
Several times a day
55
Once a day
46
Once a year
9
Once a week
84
Once a month
50
11.
What toxicology/environmental health information resource do you most frequently use? Please check the ONE most often consulted.
Textbooks, reference materials
155
NLM's toxicology/environmental health databases
19
Local poison control center
30
Commercial databases (e.g., Micromedex)
33
Public health department
7
Colleagues
27
Other databases (please specify)
11
Other sources (please specify)
10
12.
What format do you prefer for locating toxicological and environmental health information?
Text
65
CD-ROM
54
Telephone
18
Online
98
Other (please specify)
5
13.
If you use databases to gather/find toxicological and environmental health information, which ones do you use? Please list specific databases:
Medline
54
NIOSHTIC
22
Other
34
RTECS
18
TOXLINE/TOXLIT
40
TOXNET
33
Poisindex/TOMES
39
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14.
Who searches for your toxicological and environmental health information?
I search the databases
173
The library
25
Other staff members
20
Other (please specify)
13
15.
Toxicology and environmental health information can be used in many ways. Please check the main ways you use this information. Please check all that apply.
Patient care
174
Clinical research
79
Basic research
49
Worker safety
144
Community/advocacy
47
Other (please specify)
14
Teaching/education
169
Policy decisions
75
Risk analysis
93
Retrieve information for others (e.g., library searching)
36
16.
This question is on the next page and includes a description of the NLM toxicology/environmental health databases.
17.
We are interested in identifying the factors that may limit your use of the NLM toxicology/environmental health databases. Please check ALL of the factors below that limit your use of the database.
Access to the databases
137
Search language
73
Front-end interface
72
Complexity of the database records
45
Database information content
31
Extent of peer review
24
Database training
91
Database documentation
17
I was NOT AWARE of any of the databases.
57
The databases have no application to my work.
5
Other (please specify):
20
18.
Please check the ONE area that if changed or improved would make the NLM toxicology/environmental health databases more useful and accessible to you. Please check only ONE.
Access to the databases
91
Search language
21
Front-end interface
26
Complexity of the database records
9
Database information content
7
Extent of peer review
2
Database training
41
Database documentation
0
These databases are useful to me without any changes.
14
Other (please specify):
8
Thank you for your input! We welcome any additional comments
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16. We are interested in learning about your use of the NLM toxicology/environmental health databases and their potential usefulness in your work. For each of the databases described below, check the ''YES" box if you use or have used this database. If you have not used this database, check one of the "NO" boxes to indicate whether based on the short description this database may be USEFUL or NOT USEFUL in your work.
Database
Database Information Description
YES
NO, but USEFUL
NO, NOT USEFUL
Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System (CCRIS)
Experimental data from carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, tumor promotion and tumor inhibition testing. Includes animal and epidemiologic studies. The database is evaluated and maintained by the National Cancer Institute.
31
152
42
Chemical Identification (ChemID)
Chemical dictionary file providing information on over 284,000 compounds; SUPERLIST data provided.
33
147
43
Chemical Dictionary Online (CHEMLINE)
Chemical dictionary file for over 1 million compounds.
47
139
37
Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology (DART) and Environmental Teratology Information Center (ETICBACK)
Bibliographic databases covering literature on teratology and other aspects of developmental and reproductive toxicology. The database is funded by EPA and NIEHS.
24
136
36
Directory of Information Resources (DIRLINE)
Directory of organizations providing biomedical information; contact information is available including address and phone number.
17
145
55
Environmental Mutagen Information Center (EMIC and EMICBACK)
Bibliographic database on chemical, biological, and physical agents tested in vivo, in utero, or in vivo for genotoxic activity. The database is produced by Oak Ridge National Laboratory with funding from EPA and NIEHS.
15
137
69
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Database
Database Information Description
YES
NO, but USEFUL
NO, NOT USEFUL
Genetic Toxicology (GENE-TOX)
Data bank created by EPA with results from expert review of the scientific literature on chemicals tested for mutagenicity.
17
132
66
Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Factual database maintained by NLM focusing on the toxic effects, environmental fate, and safety and handling of hazardous chemicals. Includes human exposure, emergency medical treatment, and regulatory requirements data.
68
140
16
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
EPA health risk and regulatory information on 590 chemicals; includes carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk assessment data.
57
137
27
Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)
NIOSH file of toxic effects data on over 130,000 chemicals. Both acute and chronic effects are described, including data on skin and eye irritation, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive consequences.
90
125
12
Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Series (TRI)
EPA files of annual estimated releases of toxic chemicals to the environment and amounts transferred to waste sites; includes information on facilities that manufacture, process, or use these chemicals
28
114
77
Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Fact Sheets (TRIFACTS)
Health, ecological effects, safety, and handling information on most chemicals listed in the TRI database.
17
150
49
Toxicology Information Online (TOXLINE and TOXLIT)
Bibliographic database with toxicology-related citations compiled from MEDLINE and 17 other sources including Chemical Abstracts, BIOSIS, and NIOSHTIC
104
99
24
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